Superb Star Flower Plant Care
Calytrix superba C.A.Gardner & A.S.George
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Calytrix superba, commonly known as superb star-flower, is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a glabrous shrub with elliptic, lance-shaped or linear leaves, and large magenta-pink to red flowers with about 20 to 25 stamens in several rows.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Superb Star Flower?
Plant Superb 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 Superb Star Flower Native To?
What Is the Superb Star Flower?
Superb Star Flower (Calytrix superba) belongs to the Myrtaceae family within the Calytrix genus. Superb Star Flower is native to the south-west of Western Australia.
Superb Star Flower displays a compact, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Superb 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 Superb Star Flower?
Water a young or newly planted Superb 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 Superb Star Flower Need?
Superb Star Flower thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Superb Star Flower Prefer?
Calytrix superba tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Superb Star Flower prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Superb Star Flower?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter like compost. Good drainage is essential for Superb Star Flower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Superb Star Flower?
Feed Superb 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 Superb 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.
Superb 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 Superb Star Flower?
Superb 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 Superb Star Flower?
Prune Superb 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 Superb Star Flower in Winter?
Superb 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 Superb Star Flower?
Superb 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 Superb Star Flower Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Superb 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 Superb Star Flower?
Superb 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 Superb Star Flower Need?
Superb Star Flower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Superb Star Flower is native to the south-west of Western Australia. In cooler regions, grow Superb Star Flower as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Superb 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.
Superb 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 superba C.A.Gardner & A.S.George, family Myrtaceae (first published in J. Roy. Soc. Western Australia 46: 134 (1963)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Superb 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.
