Shortflower Sun Cup Plant Care

Camissonia breviflora (Torr. & A.Gray) P.H.Raven

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Camissonia breviflora is a species of evening primrose known by the common name short-flower suncup, first described by John Torrey and Asa Gray. It is part of the genus Camissonia and the family Onagraceae.

Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun

Temp

50–85°F

Humidity

30–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Shortflower Sun Cup?

Plant Shortflower Sun Cup in full sun (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

What Is the Shortflower Sun Cup?

Shortflower Sun Cup (Camissonia breviflora) belongs to the Onagraceae family within the Camissonia genus. Shortflower Sun Cup is also known as Shortflower Evening Primrose.

Shortflower Sun Cup displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Shortflower Sun Cup produces bright yellow cup-shaped flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Shortflower Sun Cup?

Water a young or newly planted Shortflower Sun Cup every 7–14 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 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Shortflower Sun Cup Need?

Shortflower Sun Cup thrives in full sun.

Light Requirement

Full sun

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Shortflower Sun Cup Prefer?

Camissonia breviflora tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Shortflower Sun Cup prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.

Temperature

50–85°F

Humidity

30–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Shortflower Sun Cup?

Well-draining sandy soil with some organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Shortflower Sun Cup to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Shortflower Sun Cup?

Feed Shortflower Sun Cup 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 Shortflower Sun Cup?

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining sandy soil with some organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Shortflower Sun Cup 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 Shortflower Sun Cup?

Shortflower Sun Cup can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 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 Shortflower Sun Cup?

Prune Shortflower Sun Cup 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 Shortflower Sun Cup in Winter?

Shortflower Sun Cup 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 Shortflower Sun Cup?

Shortflower Sun Cup can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to baird's evening primrose plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Shortflower Sun Cup Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Shortflower Sun Cup, 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 Shortflower Sun Cup?

Shortflower Sun Cup is susceptible to aphids, 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 Shortflower Sun Cup Need?

Shortflower Sun Cup grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Shortflower Sun Cup as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Shortflower Sun Cup 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 Camissonia genus — compare its care with other Camissonia species on PlantoScan.

Camissonia is part of the Onagraceae plant family — browse all Onagraceae genera and species.

Shortflower Sun Cup thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Camissonia Species

Other Camissonia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Camissonia breviflora (Torr. & A.Gray) P.H.Raven, family Onagraceae (first published in Brittonia 16: 283 (1964)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Shortflower Sun Cup, 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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