Alpine Bartsia Plant Care

Alpine Bartsia (Bartsia alpina) belongs to the Orobanchaceae family within the Bartsia genus. Alpine Bartsia is native to the mountainous regions of Europe, and also occurs in Iceland, Greenland and north-eastern Canada.

Alpine Bartsia displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Alpine Bartsia produces small tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Alpine Bartsia 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.

Alpine Bartsia thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Alpine Bartsia in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Bartsia alpina tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Alpine Bartsia prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Alpine Bartsia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Alpine Bartsia 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 bright indirect light and well-draining sandy soil mix with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Alpine Bartsia is suited to USDA Zone 1a – 6b.

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.

Alpine Bartsia can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 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 Alpine Bartsia 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.

Alpine Bartsia is hardy down to USDA zone 1a, 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.

Alpine Bartsia can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps.

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

Alpine Bartsia 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.

Alpine Bartsia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 1a – 6b. It survives winters down to planting zone 1a. Alpine Bartsia is native to the mountainous regions of Europe, and also occurs in Iceland, Greenland and north-eastern Canada.