Manzanita Baccharis (Baccharis arbutifolia)

Photo: Robert WebsterCC BY-SA 4.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped

Manzanita Baccharis Plant Care

Baccharis arbutifolia (Lam.) Kunth

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Baccharis arbutifolia is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae found only in Ecuador. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Manzanita Baccharis?

Plant Manzanita Baccharis in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

What Is the Manzanita Baccharis?

Manzanita Baccharis (Baccharis arbutifolia) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Baccharis genus. Manzanita Baccharis is also known as Conyza arbutifolia.

Manzanita Baccharis displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Manzanita Baccharis produces small white or greenish flowers in dense clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Manzanita Baccharis?

Water a young or newly planted Manzanita Baccharis every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Manzanita Baccharis Need?

Manzanita Baccharis thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Manzanita Baccharis Prefer?

Baccharis arbutifolia tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Manzanita Baccharis prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Manzanita Baccharis?

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Manzanita Baccharis to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Manzanita Baccharis?

Feed Manzanita Baccharis every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees 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.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

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

Where Should You Plant a Manzanita Baccharis?

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

Manzanita Baccharis is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Manzanita Baccharis?

Manzanita Baccharis can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 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 tree spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Manzanita Baccharis?

Prune Manzanita Baccharis 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 tree in one year.

How Do You Care for a Manzanita Baccharis in Winter?

Manzanita Baccharis is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Manzanita Baccharis?

Manzanita Baccharis can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to jointed false heather plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Manzanita Baccharis Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Manzanita Baccharis, 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 Manzanita Baccharis?

Manzanita Baccharis 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 Manzanita Baccharis Need?

Manzanita Baccharis grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Manzanita Baccharis as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Manzanita Baccharis 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 Baccharis genus — compare its care with other Baccharis species on PlantoScan.

Baccharis is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.

Manzanita Baccharis thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Baccharis Species

Other Baccharis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Baccharis arbutifolia (Lam.) Kunth, family Asteraceae (first published in Nova Genera et Species Plantarum (folio ed.) 4: 43 1820 [1818]) — World Flora Online record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Manzanita Baccharis, 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: Robert Webster, CC BY-SA 4.0, 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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