Aquilegia desertorum Plant Care
Aquilegia desertorum (M.E.Jones) Cockerell ex A.Heller
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Aquilegia desertorum, the desert columbine, is a perennial species of flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to the Southwestern United States.
Every 7–10 days
Partial shade to full sun
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Aquilegia desertorum?
Water Aquilegia desertorum every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial shade to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Aquilegia desertorum Native To?
What Is the Aquilegia desertorum?
Aquilegia desertorum (Aquilegia desertorum) belongs to the Ranunculaceae family within the Aquilegia genus. Aquilegia desertorum is native to the Southwestern United States.
Aquilegia desertorum displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Aquilegia desertorum produces unique spurred flowers in various colors like blue, purple, pink, yellow.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Aquilegia desertorum?
Aquilegia desertorum requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Aquilegia desertorum Need?
Aquilegia desertorum thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Aquilegia desertorum Prefer?
Aquilegia desertorum grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Aquilegia desertorum prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Aquilegia desertorum?
Moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Aquilegia desertorum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Aquilegia desertorum?
Feed Aquilegia desertorum every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Aquilegia desertorum?
Divide clumps every 3-4 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Aquilegia desertorum?
Aquilegia desertorum can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to amalia's columbine plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Aquilegia desertorum Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Aquilegia desertorum, 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 Aquilegia desertorum?
Aquilegia desertorum is susceptible to aphids, leaf miners, slugs. 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 Aquilegia desertorum Need?
Aquilegia desertorum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Aquilegia desertorum is native to the Southwestern United States. In cooler regions, grow Aquilegia desertorum as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Aquilegia desertorum 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 Aquilegia genus — compare its care with other Aquilegia species on PlantoScan.
Aquilegia is part of the Ranunculaceae plant family — browse all Ranunculaceae genera and species.
Aquilegia desertorum thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Aquilegia Species
Other Aquilegia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Aquilegia desertorum (M.E.Jones) Cockerell ex A.Heller, family Ranunculaceae (first published in Muhlenbergia i. 27. 1900) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Aquilegia desertorum, 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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