Photo: Marco MussitaCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Fan Columbine Plant Care
Aquilegia flabellata Siebold & Zucc.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its unique fan-shaped leaves, Aquilegia flabellata originates from Japan. This plant is highly sought after by collectors for its delicate blue flowers and compact size, making it a charming addition to any garden.
Every 7–10 days
Partial shade to full sun
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Fan Columbine?
Water Fan Columbine 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 Fan Columbine Native To?
What Is the Fan Columbine?
Fan Columbine (Aquilegia flabellata) belongs to the Ranunculaceae family within the Aquilegia genus. Fan Columbine is native to North and East Asia, the species is found in China, Korea, Mongolia, the Russian Far East, and Japan. Fan Columbine is also known as White Fan Columbine.
Fan Columbine displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Fan Columbine produces unique spurred flowers in various colors like blue, purple, pink, yellow.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Fan Columbine?
Aquilegia flabellata 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 Fan Columbine Need?
Fan Columbine thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Fan Columbine Prefer?
Aquilegia flabellata grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Fan Columbine prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Fan Columbine?
Moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Fan Columbine to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Fan Columbine?
Feed Fan Columbine 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 Fan Columbine?
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 Fan Columbine?
Fan Columbine can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to amalia's columbine plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Fan Columbine Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Fan Columbine, 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 Fan Columbine?
Fan Columbine 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 Fan Columbine Need?
Fan Columbine grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Fan Columbine is native to North and East Asia, the species is found in China, Korea, Mongolia, the Russian Far East, and Japan. In cooler regions, grow Fan Columbine as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Fan Columbine 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.
Fan Columbine 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 flabellata Siebold & Zucc., family Ranunculaceae (first published in Abh. Math.-Phys. Cl. Königl. Bayer. Akad. Wiss. 4(2): 183 (1845)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Fan Columbine, 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.
- Photo: Marco Mussita, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a – 9b, 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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