Button Burr Plant Care

Button Burr (Calotis hispidula) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Calotis genus. Button Burr is native to many parts of mainland Australia. Button Burr is also known as Cheiroloma hispidulum.

Button Burr displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Button Burr produces small daisy-like flowers in shades of white, pink, or purple.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Button Burr 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.

Button Burr thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Calotis hispidula tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Button Burr prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Button Burr to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Button Burr 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.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Button Burr is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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.

Button Burr can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 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.

Prune Button Burr 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.

Button Burr is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Button Burr can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to wedge-leaf yellow-buttons plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Button Burr is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, 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.

Button Burr grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Button Burr is native to many parts of mainland Australia. In cooler regions, grow Button Burr as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.