Scarlet Brickellia Plant Care

Brickellia secundiflora A.Gray

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Brickellia secundiflora is a Mexican species of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. It is native to central and northeastern Mexico from Tamaulipas west to Coahuila and south as far as Oaxaca.VarietiesBrickellia secundiflora var.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–80°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Scarlet Brickellia?

Water Scarlet 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 Scarlet Brickellia Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Scarlet Brickellia?

Scarlet Brickellia (Brickellia secundiflora) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Brickellia genus. Scarlet Brickellia is native to central and northeastern Mexico from Tamaulipas west to Coahuila and south as far as Oaxaca. Scarlet Brickellia is also known as Scarlet Bush.

Scarlet Brickellia displays a low mounding perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Scarlet Brickellia produces small, daisy-like flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Scarlet Brickellia?

Brickellia secundiflora 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 Scarlet Brickellia Need?

Scarlet Brickellia thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Scarlet Brickellia Prefer?

Brickellia secundiflora grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Scarlet Brickellia prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Scarlet Brickellia?

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Scarlet Brickellia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Scarlet Brickellia?

Feed Scarlet 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 Scarlet 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 Scarlet Brickellia?

Scarlet 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 Scarlet Brickellia Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Scarlet 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 Scarlet Brickellia?

Scarlet 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 Scarlet Brickellia Need?

Scarlet Brickellia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Scarlet Brickellia is native to central and northeastern Mexico from Tamaulipas west to Coahuila and south as far as Oaxaca. In cooler regions, grow Scarlet Brickellia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Scarlet 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.

Scarlet 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 secundiflora A.Gray, family Asteraceae (first published in Smithsonian Contr. Knowl. 3(5): 85 (1852)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Scarlet 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.
  • 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.

PlantoScan app icon

Identify Plants Like the
Scarlet Brickellia Instantly

Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Free

to download

iOS & Android

platforms

Light & dark

mode

100,000+

species