Aliciella tenuis Plant Care

Aliciella tenuis (F.J.Sm. & Neese) J.M.Porter

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Aliciella tenuis is a rare species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name Mussentuchit gilia, or Mussentuchit Creek gilia. It is endemic to Utah in the United States, where it occurs only in the San Rafael Swell.

🌼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 tenuis?

Plant Aliciella tenuis 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 tenuis Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Aliciella tenuis?

Aliciella tenuis (Aliciella tenuis) belongs to the Polemoniaceae family within the Aliciella genus. Aliciella tenuis is native to Utah in the United States.

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

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Aliciella tenuis?

Water a young or newly planted Aliciella tenuis 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 tenuis Need?

Aliciella tenuis thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Aliciella tenuis Prefer?

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

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

30–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Aliciella tenuis?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Aliciella tenuis?

Feed Aliciella tenuis 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 tenuis?

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 tenuis 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 tenuis?

Aliciella tenuis 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 tenuis?

Prune Aliciella tenuis 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 tenuis in Winter?

Aliciella tenuis 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 tenuis?

Aliciella tenuis 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 tenuis Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Aliciella tenuis, 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 tenuis?

Aliciella tenuis 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 tenuis Need?

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

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Aliciella tenuis 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 tenuis 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 tenuis (F.J.Sm. & Neese) J.M.Porter, family Polemoniaceae (first published in Aliso 17: 35 (1998)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Aliciella tenuis, 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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