Sacred Flower of the Incas Plant Care

Sacred Flower of the Incas (Cantua pyrifolia) belongs to the Polemoniaceae family within the Cantua genus. Sacred Flower of the Incas is native to Mediterranean climate plant collections. Sacred Flower of the Incas is also known as Shrubby Cantua.

Sacred Flower of the Incas displays an upright, branching shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Sacred Flower of the Incas produces tubular flowers in shades of red, pink, or yellow.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Sacred Flower of the Incas every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Sacred Flower of the Incas thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Cantua pyrifolia tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Sacred Flower of the Incas prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining, acidic soil mix with added organic matter like peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Sacred Flower of the Incas to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Sacred Flower of the Incas every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees 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, acidic soil mix with added organic matter like peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Sacred Flower of the Incas is suited to USDA Zone 9a – 11b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Sacred Flower of the Incas can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 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 tree spacing calculator.

Prune Sacred Flower of the Incas 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 tree in one year.

Sacred Flower of the Incas is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Sacred Flower of the Incas can be propagated through softwood cuttings, layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to magic flower plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Sacred Flower of the Incas is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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.

Sacred Flower of the Incas grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9a. Sacred Flower of the Incas is native to Mediterranean climate plant collections. In cooler regions, grow Sacred Flower of the Incas as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.