Grata Columbine Plant Care

Aquilegia grata Maly ex Borbás

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

This plant's most distinctive feature is its unique spurred petals that resemble a bird in flight. Originating from the mountains of Japan, Aquilegia grata is highly sought after by plant collectors for its delicate beauty and rare appearance in gardens. Its vibrant colors and graceful shape add a touch of elegance to any garden landscape.

🌼Perennials
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Partial shade to full sun

Temp

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Grata Columbine?

Water Grata 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 Grata Columbine Native To?

Native range11 countries

What Is the Grata Columbine?

Grata Columbine (Aquilegia grata) belongs to the Ranunculaceae family within the Aquilegia genus. Grata Columbine is native to the northwestern Balkans.

Grata Columbine displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Grata Columbine produces unique spurred flowers in various colors like blue, purple, pink, yellow.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Grata Columbine?

Aquilegia grata 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 Grata Columbine Need?

Grata Columbine thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Light Requirement

Partial shade to full sun

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Grata Columbine Prefer?

Aquilegia grata grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Grata Columbine prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Grata Columbine?

Moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Grata Columbine to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Grata Columbine?

Feed Grata 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 Grata 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 Grata Columbine?

Grata Columbine can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to amalia's columbine plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Grata Columbine Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Grata 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 Grata Columbine?

Grata 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 Grata Columbine Need?

Grata Columbine grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Grata Columbine is native to the northwestern Balkans.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 5a – 8b

Keep exploring plants

Grata 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.

Grata 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 grata Maly ex Borbás, family Ranunculaceae (first published in Verwandtsch. -Verh. Aquilegia : 46 (1875)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Grata 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.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 5a – 8b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
  • 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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