Prickly Star-bush Plant Care

Prickly Star-bush (Asterolasia muricata) belongs to the Rutaceae family within the Asterolasia genus. Prickly Star-bush is native to South Australia. Prickly Star-bush is also known as Prickly Starbush.

Prickly Star-bush displays a compact, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Prickly Star-bush produces small white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Prickly Star-bush every 7–14 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.

Prickly Star-bush thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Asterolasia muricata tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Prickly Star-bush prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

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

Feed Prickly Star-bush 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.

Prickly Star-bush is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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.

Prickly Star-bush can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 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 Prickly Star-bush 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.

Prickly Star-bush is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Prickly Star-bush can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to starflower plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Prickly Star-bush is susceptible to scale insects, spider mites, aphids. 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.

Prickly Star-bush grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Prickly Star-bush is native to South Australia. In cooler regions, grow Prickly Star-bush as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.