Alsinidendron lychnoides Plant Care

Alsinidendron lychnoides (Hillebr.) Sherff

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Scheidea lychnoides is a species of plant in the family Caryophyllaceae. It is endemic to dry forests and low shrublands in Hawaiʻi.

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Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Bright indirect light

Temp

65–75°F

Humidity

50–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Alsinidendron lychnoides?

Plant Alsinidendron lychnoides in bright indirect light (USDA zones 13b) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 65–75°F (18–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

What Is the Alsinidendron lychnoides?

Alsinidendron lychnoides (Alsinidendron lychnoides) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Alsinidendron genus. Alsinidendron lychnoides is native to dry forests and low shrublands in Hawaiʻi.

Alsinidendron lychnoides displays a compact, low-growing shrub growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Alsinidendron lychnoides produces small white or pink flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Alsinidendron lychnoides?

Water a young or newly planted Alsinidendron lychnoides every 7–10 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 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Alsinidendron lychnoides Need?

Alsinidendron lychnoides thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Alsinidendron lychnoides in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Light Requirement

Bright indirect light

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Alsinidendron lychnoides Prefer?

Alsinidendron lychnoides tolerates temperatures of 65–75°F. Alsinidendron lychnoides prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Temperature

65–75°F

Humidity

50–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Alsinidendron lychnoides?

Well-draining sandy soil mix with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Alsinidendron lychnoides to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Alsinidendron lychnoides?

Feed Alsinidendron lychnoides 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 Alsinidendron lychnoides?

Choose a spot with bright indirect light and well-draining sandy soil mix with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Alsinidendron lychnoides is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

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 Alsinidendron lychnoides?

Alsinidendron lychnoides can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 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 Alsinidendron lychnoides?

Prune Alsinidendron lychnoides 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 Alsinidendron lychnoides in Winter?

Alsinidendron lychnoides is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). 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 Alsinidendron lychnoides?

Alsinidendron lychnoides can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alsinidendron obovatum plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Alsinidendron lychnoides Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Alsinidendron lychnoides, 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 Alsinidendron lychnoides?

Alsinidendron lychnoides is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. 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 Alsinidendron lychnoides Need?

Alsinidendron lychnoides grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Alsinidendron lychnoides is native to dry forests and low shrublands in Hawaiʻi. In cooler regions, grow Alsinidendron lychnoides as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13b

Keep exploring plants

Alsinidendron lychnoides 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 Alsinidendron genus — compare its care with other Alsinidendron species on PlantoScan.

Alsinidendron is part of the Caryophyllaceae plant family — browse all Caryophyllaceae genera and species.

Alsinidendron lychnoides thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

Related Plant Care Guides

Closely related plants with similar care requirements:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Alsinidendron lychnoides (Hillebr.) Sherff, family Caryophyllaceae (first published in Amer. J. Bot. 31: 157 (1944)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Alsinidendron lychnoides, 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 13b, 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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