Barleria siamensis Plant Care
Barleria siamensis Craib
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Barleria siamensis, the Siamese barleria, is a plant in the family Acanthaceae. It occurs in southern Asia.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Barleria siamensis?
Plant Barleria siamensis in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Barleria siamensis?
Barleria siamensis (Barleria siamensis) belongs to the Acanthaceae family within the Barleria genus.
Barleria siamensis displays an upright, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Barleria siamensis produces tubular flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 5 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Barleria siamensis?
Water a young or newly planted Barleria siamensis 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 Barleria siamensis Need?
Barleria siamensis thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Barleria siamensis Prefer?
Barleria siamensis tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Barleria siamensis prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Barleria siamensis?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Barleria siamensis to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Barleria siamensis?
Feed Barleria siamensis 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 Barleria siamensis?
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.
Barleria siamensis 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.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Barleria siamensis?
Barleria siamensis can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 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 plant spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Barleria siamensis?
Prune Barleria siamensis 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 Barleria siamensis in Winter?
Barleria siamensis 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.
How Do You Propagate a Barleria siamensis?
Barleria siamensis can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to mysore barleria plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Barleria siamensis Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Barleria siamensis, 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 Barleria siamensis?
Barleria siamensis is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. 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 Barleria siamensis Need?
Barleria siamensis grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Barleria siamensis as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Barleria siamensis 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 Barleria genus — compare its care with other Barleria species on PlantoScan.
Barleria is part of the Acanthaceae plant family — browse all Acanthaceae genera and species.
Barleria siamensis thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Barleria Species
Other Barleria species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Barleria siamensis Craib, family Acanthaceae (first published in Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1911: 437 (1911)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Barleria siamensis, 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, 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.
