Photo: Ghislain118 http://www.fleurs-des-montagnes.netCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Colorado Sparkle Plant Care
Xanthisma coloradoense (A.Gray) D.R.Morgan & R.L.Hartm.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Xanthisma coloradoense (syn. Aster coloradoensis, Machaeranthera coloradoensis) is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common name Colorado tansyaster. It is native to Colorado and Wyoming in the United States.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–85°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Colorado Sparkle?
Water Colorado Sparkle every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Colorado Sparkle Native To?
What Is the Colorado Sparkle?
Colorado Sparkle (Xanthisma coloradoense) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Xanthisma genus. Colorado Sparkle is native to Colorado and Wyoming in the United States. Colorado Sparkle is also known as Aster coloradoensis, Eriocarpum coloradoensis, Haplopappus coloradoensis.
Colorado Sparkle displays an upright, bushy perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Colorado Sparkle produces bright yellow daisy-like flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Colorado Sparkle?
Xanthisma coloradoense 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 Colorado Sparkle Need?
Colorado Sparkle thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Colorado Sparkle Prefer?
Xanthisma coloradoense grows best at temperatures of 50–85°F. Colorado Sparkle prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Colorado Sparkle?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Colorado Sparkle to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Colorado Sparkle?
Feed Colorado Sparkle 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 Colorado Sparkle?
Repot every 2-3 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 Colorado Sparkle?
Colorado Sparkle can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to slender starwort plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Colorado Sparkle Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Colorado Sparkle, 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 Colorado Sparkle?
Colorado Sparkle is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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 Colorado Sparkle Need?
Colorado Sparkle grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Colorado Sparkle is native to Colorado and Wyoming in the United States. In cooler regions, grow Colorado Sparkle as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Colorado Sparkle 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 Xanthisma genus — compare its care with other Xanthisma species on PlantoScan.
Xanthisma is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Colorado Sparkle 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: Xanthisma coloradoense (A.Gray) D.R.Morgan & R.L.Hartm., family Asteraceae (first published in Sida 20(4): 1403 (2003)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Colorado Sparkle, 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: Ghislain118 http://www.fleurs-des-montagnes.net, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- 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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