Blumea sericea Plant Care

Blumea sericea (Thomson) Anderb. & A.K.Pandey

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Blumea sericea, also known as silky dwarf bush, is a species of flowering plants in the fleabane tribe within the sunflower family. It has been placed as the sole species Nanothamnus sericeus in the monotypic genus Nanothamnus.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Blumea sericea?

Plant Blumea sericea 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 60–80°F (16–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Blumea sericea Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Blumea sericea?

Blumea sericea (Blumea sericea) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Blumea genus. Blumea sericea is native to India.

Blumea sericea displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Blumea sericea produces small, daisy-like flowers in clusters of various colors.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Blumea sericea?

Water a young or newly planted Blumea sericea 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 Blumea sericea Need?

Blumea sericea thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Blumea sericea Prefer?

Blumea sericea tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Blumea sericea prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Blumea sericea?

Well-draining sandy loam with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Blumea sericea to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Blumea sericea?

Feed Blumea sericea 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 Blumea sericea?

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

Blumea sericea 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 Blumea sericea?

Blumea sericea can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 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 Blumea sericea?

Prune Blumea sericea 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 Blumea sericea in Winter?

Blumea sericea 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 Blumea sericea?

Blumea sericea can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to ngai camphor plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Blumea sericea Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Blumea sericea, 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 Blumea sericea?

Blumea sericea 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 Blumea sericea Need?

Blumea sericea grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Blumea sericea is native to India. In cooler regions, grow Blumea sericea as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Blumea sericea 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 Blumea genus — compare its care with other Blumea species on PlantoScan.

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

Blumea sericea 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: Blumea sericea (Thomson) Anderb. & A.K.Pandey, family Asteraceae (first published in Compositae Newslett. 46: 12. 2008 [30 Jun 2008]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Blumea sericea, 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.

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