Purple-flower Honeycomb Head (Balduina atropurpurea)

Photo: Pete Pattavina, U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServicePublic domainvia Wikimedia Commons

Purple-flower Honeycomb Head Plant Care

Balduina atropurpurea R.M.Harper

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

This plant's unique feature is its deep purple leaves, making it stand out in any garden. Originating from the southeastern United States, Balduina atropurpurea is a desirable addition to plant collectors' collections due to its rare color and striking appearance.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Purple-flower Honeycomb Head?

Plant Purple-flower Honeycomb Head in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 8a–9b) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Purple-flower Honeycomb Head Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Purple-flower Honeycomb Head?

Purple-flower Honeycomb Head (Balduina atropurpurea) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Balduina genus. Purple-flower Honeycomb Head is native to the southeastern United States. Purple-flower Honeycomb Head is also known as Endorima atropurpurea.

Purple-flower Honeycomb Head displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Purple-flower Honeycomb Head produces small daisy-like flowers in shades of white, pink, or purple.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Purple-flower Honeycomb Head?

Water a young or newly planted Purple-flower Honeycomb Head every 7–10 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.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Purple-flower Honeycomb Head Need?

Purple-flower Honeycomb Head thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Purple-flower Honeycomb Head Prefer?

Balduina atropurpurea tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Purple-flower Honeycomb Head prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Purple-flower Honeycomb Head?

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Purple-flower Honeycomb Head to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Purple-flower Honeycomb Head?

Feed Purple-flower Honeycomb Head 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.

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 Purple-flower Honeycomb Head?

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

Purple-flower Honeycomb Head is suited to USDA Zone 8a – 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.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Purple-flower Honeycomb Head?

Purple-flower Honeycomb Head 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.

How Do You Prune a Purple-flower Honeycomb Head?

Prune Purple-flower Honeycomb Head 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.

How Do You Care for a Purple-flower Honeycomb Head in Winter?

Purple-flower Honeycomb Head is hardy down to USDA zone 8a, 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.

How Do You Propagate a Purple-flower Honeycomb Head?

Purple-flower Honeycomb Head can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to narrowleaf falsegoldenaster plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Purple-flower Honeycomb Head Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Purple-flower Honeycomb Head, 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 Purple-flower Honeycomb Head?

Purple-flower Honeycomb Head is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. 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 Purple-flower Honeycomb Head Need?

Purple-flower Honeycomb Head grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Purple-flower Honeycomb Head is native to the southeastern United States.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 8a – 9b

Keep exploring plants

Purple-flower Honeycomb Head 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 Balduina genus — compare its care with other Balduina species on PlantoScan.

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

Purple-flower Honeycomb Head 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: Balduina atropurpurea R.M.Harper, family Asteraceae (first published in Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 28: 483 (1901)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Purple-flower Honeycomb Head, 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: Pete Pattavina, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 9b, 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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