Mountain Balsam Plant Care
Brickellia betonicaefolia A.Gray
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Brickellia betonicifolia, the betonyleaf brickellbush, is a Mexican species of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. It is native to northwestern Mexico, in the States of Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, and Durango and the southwestern United States.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Mountain Balsam?
Water Mountain Balsam every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Mountain Balsam Native To?
What Is the Mountain Balsam?
Mountain Balsam (Brickellia betonicaefolia) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Brickellia genus. Mountain Balsam is native to northwestern Mexico, in the States of Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, and Durango and the southwestern United States. Mountain Balsam is also known as Betonyleaf Brickellia.
Mountain Balsam displays a low mounding perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Mountain Balsam produces small, daisy-like flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Mountain Balsam?
Brickellia betonicaefolia requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Mountain Balsam Need?
Mountain Balsam thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Mountain Balsam Prefer?
Brickellia betonicaefolia grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Mountain Balsam prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Mountain Balsam?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Mountain Balsam to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Mountain Balsam?
Feed Mountain Balsam every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Mountain Balsam?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Mountain Balsam?
Mountain Balsam can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to tarragon brickellia plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Mountain Balsam Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Mountain Balsam, 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 Mountain Balsam?
Mountain Balsam is susceptible to aphids, 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 Mountain Balsam Need?
Mountain Balsam grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Mountain Balsam is native to northwestern Mexico, in the States of Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, and Durango and the southwestern United States. In cooler regions, grow Mountain Balsam as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Mountain Balsam 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 Brickellia genus — compare its care with other Brickellia species on PlantoScan.
Brickellia is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Mountain Balsam thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Brickellia Species
Other Brickellia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Brickellia betonicaefolia A.Gray, family Asteraceae (first published in Pl. Wright. 2: 72. 1852.) — World Flora Online record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Mountain Balsam, 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 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.
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