Feathered Star Flower Plant Care
Calytrix plumulosa (F.Muell.) B.D.Jacks.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Calytrix plumulosa is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a shrub with linear leaves and rose-coloured to violet and yellow flowers with about 35 to 75 yellow stamens in three rows.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Feathered Star Flower?
Plant Feathered Star Flower in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Feathered Star Flower Native To?
What Is the Feathered Star Flower?
Feathered Star Flower (Calytrix plumulosa) belongs to the Myrtaceae family within the Calytrix genus. Feathered Star Flower is native to the south-west of Western Australia.
Feathered Star Flower displays a compact, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Feathered Star Flower produces small, star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, white, or purple.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Feathered Star Flower?
Water a young or newly planted Feathered Star Flower 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.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Feathered Star Flower Need?
Feathered Star Flower thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Feathered Star Flower Prefer?
Calytrix plumulosa tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Feathered Star Flower prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Feathered Star Flower?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter like compost. Good drainage is essential for Feathered Star Flower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Feathered Star Flower?
Feed Feathered Star Flower 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.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Feathered Star Flower?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter like compost. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Feathered Star Flower 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.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Feathered Star Flower?
Feathered Star Flower can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 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.
How Do You Prune a Feathered Star Flower?
Prune Feathered Star Flower 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.
How Do You Care for a Feathered Star Flower in Winter?
Feathered Star Flower 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.
How Do You Propagate a Feathered Star Flower?
Feathered Star Flower can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to bristleless starflower plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Feathered Star Flower Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Feathered Star Flower, 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 Feathered Star Flower?
Feathered Star Flower is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, 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 Feathered Star Flower Need?
Feathered Star Flower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Feathered Star Flower is native to the south-west of Western Australia. In cooler regions, grow Feathered Star Flower as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Feathered Star Flower 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 Calytrix genus — compare its care with other Calytrix species on PlantoScan.
Calytrix is part of the Myrtaceae plant family — browse all Myrtaceae genera and species.
Feathered Star Flower thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Calytrix Species
Other Calytrix species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Calytrix plumulosa (F.Muell.) B.D.Jacks., family Myrtaceae (first published in Index Kew. 1: 398 (1893)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Feathered Star Flower, 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.
