Aliciella leptomeria Plant Care

Aliciella leptomeria (A.Gray) J.M.Porter

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Aliciella leptomeria is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common names sand gilia and Great Basin gilia. It is native to the Western United States, where it grows in many types of habitat, such as the sagebrush of the Great Basin and in the Mojave Desert.

🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–80°F

Humidity

30–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Aliciella leptomeria?

Plant Aliciella leptomeria in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Aliciella leptomeria Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Aliciella leptomeria?

Aliciella leptomeria (Aliciella leptomeria) belongs to the Polemoniaceae family within the Aliciella genus. Aliciella leptomeria is native to the Western United States.

Aliciella leptomeria displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Aliciella leptomeria produces small, tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Aliciella leptomeria?

Water a young or newly planted Aliciella leptomeria every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Aliciella leptomeria Need?

Aliciella leptomeria thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Aliciella leptomeria Prefer?

Aliciella leptomeria tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Aliciella leptomeria prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

30–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Aliciella leptomeria?

Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Aliciella leptomeria to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Aliciella leptomeria?

Feed Aliciella leptomeria every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Aliciella leptomeria?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Aliciella leptomeria is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Aliciella leptomeria?

Aliciella leptomeria can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Aliciella leptomeria?

Prune Aliciella leptomeria while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

How Do You Care for a Aliciella leptomeria in Winter?

Aliciella leptomeria is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Aliciella leptomeria?

Aliciella leptomeria can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to aliciella caespitosa plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Aliciella leptomeria Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Aliciella leptomeria, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Aliciella leptomeria?

Aliciella leptomeria is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Aliciella leptomeria Need?

Aliciella leptomeria grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Aliciella leptomeria is native to the Western United States. In cooler regions, grow Aliciella leptomeria as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Aliciella leptomeria is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Aliciella genus — compare its care with other Aliciella species on PlantoScan.

Aliciella is part of the Polemoniaceae plant family — browse all Polemoniaceae genera and species.

Aliciella leptomeria thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Aliciella Species

Other Aliciella species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Aliciella leptomeria (A.Gray) J.M.Porter, family Polemoniaceae (first published in Aliso 17: 38 (1998)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Aliciella leptomeria, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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