
Photo: Mason Brock ( Masebrock )Public domainvia Wikimedia Commons
Texas Greeneyes Plant Care
Berlandiera texana DC.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its unique star-shaped yellow flowers and hairy leaves, this plant hails from the plains of Texas and Mexico. Plant collectors are drawn to Berlandiera texana for its striking appearance and fragrant blooms, making it a standout addition to any garden or collection.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–85°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Texas Greeneyes?
Plant Texas Greeneyes in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Texas Greeneyes Native To?
What Is the Texas Greeneyes?
Texas Greeneyes (Berlandiera texana) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Berlandiera genus. Texas Greeneyes is native to the south-central United States, in the states of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Texas Greeneyes is also known as Chocolate Flower, Chocolate Daisy, Berlandiera longifolia.
Texas Greeneyes displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Texas Greeneyes produces daisy-like yellow flowers with a chocolate scent.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Texas Greeneyes?
Water a young or newly planted Texas Greeneyes 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 Texas Greeneyes Need?
Texas Greeneyes thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Texas Greeneyes Prefer?
Berlandiera texana tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Texas Greeneyes prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Texas Greeneyes?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Texas Greeneyes to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Texas Greeneyes?
Feed Texas Greeneyes 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 Texas Greeneyes?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Texas Greeneyes is suited to USDA Zone 12a.
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 Texas Greeneyes?
Texas Greeneyes can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 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.
How Do You Prune a Texas Greeneyes?
Prune Texas Greeneyes 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 Texas Greeneyes in Winter?
Texas Greeneyes 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 Texas Greeneyes?
Texas Greeneyes can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to chocolate flower plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Texas Greeneyes Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Texas Greeneyes, 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 Texas Greeneyes?
Texas Greeneyes 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 Texas Greeneyes Need?
Texas Greeneyes grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Texas Greeneyes is native to the south-central United States, in the states of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Louisiana. In cooler regions, grow Texas Greeneyes as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Texas Greeneyes 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 Berlandiera genus — compare its care with other Berlandiera species on PlantoScan.
Berlandiera is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Texas Greeneyes 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: Berlandiera texana DC., family Asteraceae (first published in Icon. Sel. Pl. [Delessert] 4: 11, t. 26. 1840 [1839, publ Feb 1840]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Texas Greeneyes, 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: Mason Brock ( Masebrock ), Public domain, 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.
