Dwarf Hedgehog-parsley Plant Care

Dwarf Hedgehog-parsley (Arnoseris humilis) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Arnoseris genus. Dwarf Hedgehog-parsley is native to northeastern Mexico and to the southeastern and south-central United States, from Florida to Texas and north as far as southeastern Nebraska, southern Illinois, and central West Virginia. Dwarf Hedgehog-parsley is also known as Lamb's Succory, Krigia oppositifolia, Serinia cespitosa.

Dwarf Hedgehog-parsley displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Dwarf Hedgehog-parsley produces small yellow daisy-like flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Dwarf Hedgehog-parsley every 4–7 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.

Dwarf Hedgehog-parsley thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Arnoseris humilis tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Dwarf Hedgehog-parsley prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Dwarf Hedgehog-parsley to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Dwarf Hedgehog-parsley 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.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Dwarf Hedgehog-parsley is suited to USDA Zone 6a – 9b.

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.

Dwarf Hedgehog-parsley 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.

Prune Dwarf Hedgehog-parsley 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.

Dwarf Hedgehog-parsley is hardy down to USDA zone 6a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Dwarf Hedgehog-parsley can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to pygmy sheep-scabious plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Dwarf Hedgehog-parsley is susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails. 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.

Dwarf Hedgehog-parsley grows outdoors in USDA Zone 6a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 6a. Dwarf Hedgehog-parsley is native to northeastern Mexico and to the southeastern and south-central United States, from Florida to Texas and north as far as southeastern Nebraska, southern Illinois, and central West Virginia.