Bucklandiella elegans Plant Care
Bucklandiella elegans (Müll.Hal.) Bednarek-Ochyra & Ochyra
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's small, star-shaped leaves in shades of green and red are its most distinctive feature. Bucklandiella elegans originates from the moist montane forests of South America. Plant collectors are drawn to this species for its unique appearance and rarity in cultivation.
Every 3–5 days
Partial to full shade
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Bucklandiella elegans?
Water Bucklandiella elegans every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial to full shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Bucklandiella elegans Native To?
What Is the Bucklandiella elegans?
Bucklandiella elegans (Bucklandiella elegans) belongs to the Grimmiaceae family within the Bucklandiella genus. Bucklandiella elegans is native to New Zealand.
Bucklandiella elegans displays a low mat-forming growth habit, reaching up to 0.1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Bucklandiella elegans produces tiny inconspicuous flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 0.2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Bucklandiella elegans?
Bucklandiella elegans requires watering every 3–5 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 3–5 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Bucklandiella elegans Need?
Bucklandiella elegans thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 50–200 lux. Avoid placing Bucklandiella elegans in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial to full shade
50–200 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Bucklandiella elegans Prefer?
Bucklandiella elegans grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Bucklandiella elegans prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Bucklandiella elegans?
Well-draining sandy soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Bucklandiella elegans to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Bucklandiella elegans?
Feed Bucklandiella elegans every month 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 month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Bucklandiella elegans?
Repot every 1-2 years in 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 Bucklandiella elegans?
Bucklandiella elegans can be propagated through spores, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to crisped bristle moss plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Bucklandiella elegans Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Bucklandiella elegans, 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 Bucklandiella elegans?
Bucklandiella elegans is susceptible to occasional issues with spider mites, mealybugs. 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 Bucklandiella elegans Need?
Bucklandiella elegans grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Bucklandiella elegans is native to New Zealand. In cooler regions, grow Bucklandiella elegans as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Bucklandiella elegans 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 Bucklandiella genus — compare its care with other Bucklandiella species on PlantoScan.
Bucklandiella is part of the Grimmiaceae plant family — browse all Grimmiaceae genera and species.
Bucklandiella elegans copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Bucklandiella elegans (Müll.Hal.) Bednarek-Ochyra & Ochyra, family Grimmiaceae (first published in J. Bryol. 32(4): 254 2010) — World Flora Online record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Bucklandiella elegans, 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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