Common Camas Plant Care
Camassia quamash (Pursh) Greene
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Camassia quamash, commonly known as camas, kwetlal, small camas, common camas, common camash or quamash, is a perennial herb. It is native to western North America in large areas of southern Canada and the northwestern United States.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to part shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Common Camas?
Water Common Camas every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to part shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Common Camas Native To?
What Is the Common Camas?
Common Camas (Camassia quamash) belongs to the Asparagaceae family within the Camassia genus. Common Camas is native to western North America in large areas of southern Canada and the northwestern United States. Common Camas is also known as Quamash, Great Camas, Wild Hyacinth.
Common Camas displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Common Camas produces spike-like racemes of star-shaped blue to white flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Common Camas?
Camassia quamash requires watering every 7–14 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 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Common Camas Need?
Common Camas thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Common Camas Prefer?
Camassia quamash grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Common Camas prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Common Camas?
Moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Common Camas to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Common Camas?
Feed Common Camas 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 Common Camas?
Divide and repot bulbs every 3-4 years. 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 Common Camas?
Common Camas can be propagated through seeds, division of bulbs. Similar propagation techniques also apply to prairie camas plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Common Camas Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Common Camas, 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 Common Camas?
Common Camas is susceptible to slugs, snails. 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 Common Camas Need?
Common Camas grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Common Camas is native to western North America in large areas of southern Canada and the northwestern United States. In cooler regions, grow Common Camas as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Common Camas 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 Camassia genus — compare its care with other Camassia species on PlantoScan.
Camassia is part of the Asparagaceae plant family — browse all Asparagaceae genera and species.
Common Camas thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Camassia quamash (Pursh) Greene, family Asparagaceae (first published in Man. Bot. San Francisco : 313 (1894)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Common Camas, 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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