Photo: Dean Wm. TaylorCC BY 2.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Shortleaf Brickellia Plant Care
Brickellia brachyphylla (A.Gray) A.Gray
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Brickellia brachyphylla, the plumed brickellbush or Hinckley's brickellbush, is a North American species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is native to the southwestern United States, in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, western Texas, and the Oklahoma Panhandle. There are reports that it formerly occurred in southwestern Kansas, but these populations appear to be extinct.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Shortleaf Brickellia?
Water Shortleaf Brickellia 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 Shortleaf Brickellia Native To?
What Is the Shortleaf Brickellia?
Shortleaf Brickellia (Brickellia brachyphylla) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Brickellia genus. Shortleaf Brickellia is native to the southwestern United States, in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, western Texas, and the Oklahoma Panhandle. Shortleaf Brickellia is also known as Clavigera brachyphylla, Coleosanthus brachyphyllus.
Shortleaf Brickellia displays a low mounding perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Shortleaf Brickellia produces small, daisy-like flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Shortleaf Brickellia?
Brickellia brachyphylla 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 Shortleaf Brickellia Need?
Shortleaf Brickellia thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Shortleaf Brickellia Prefer?
Brickellia brachyphylla grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Shortleaf Brickellia prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Shortleaf Brickellia?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Shortleaf Brickellia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Shortleaf Brickellia?
Feed Shortleaf Brickellia 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 Shortleaf Brickellia?
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 Shortleaf Brickellia?
Shortleaf Brickellia can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to tarragon brickellia plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Shortleaf Brickellia Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Shortleaf Brickellia, 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 Shortleaf Brickellia?
Shortleaf Brickellia 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 Shortleaf Brickellia Need?
Shortleaf Brickellia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Shortleaf Brickellia is native to the southwestern United States, in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, western Texas, and the Oklahoma Panhandle. In cooler regions, grow Shortleaf Brickellia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Shortleaf Brickellia 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.
Shortleaf Brickellia 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 brachyphylla (A.Gray) A.Gray, family Asteraceae (first published in Smithsonian Contr. Knowl. 3(5): 84 (1852)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Shortleaf Brickellia, 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: Dean Wm. Taylor, CC BY 2.0, 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.
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