Inland Tumblemustard Plant Care
Caulanthus inflatus S.Watson
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Caulanthus inflatus, the desert candle, also referred to as squaw cabbage, is a flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae, native to the Mojave Desert of California and Nevada, and the southern Sierra Nevada and Transverse Ranges in the United States. It is found at elevations between 150–1,500 metres (490–4,920 ft).
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
30–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Inland Tumblemustard?
Water Inland Tumblemustard every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 30–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Inland Tumblemustard Native To?
What Is the Inland Tumblemustard?
Inland Tumblemustard (Caulanthus inflatus) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Caulanthus genus. Inland Tumblemustard is native to the Mojave Desert of California and Nevada, and the southern Sierra Nevada and Transverse Ranges in the United States. Inland Tumblemustard is also known as Desert Tumblemustard.
Inland Tumblemustard displays an upright, branching herb growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Inland Tumblemustard produces small, white to yellow flowers in dense clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Inland Tumblemustard?
Caulanthus inflatus requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Inland Tumblemustard Need?
Inland Tumblemustard thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Inland Tumblemustard Prefer?
Caulanthus inflatus grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Inland Tumblemustard prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
30–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Inland Tumblemustard?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Inland Tumblemustard to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Inland Tumblemustard?
Feed Inland Tumblemustard 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 Inland Tumblemustard?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. 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 Inland Tumblemustard?
Inland Tumblemustard can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets.
Is the Inland Tumblemustard Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Inland Tumblemustard, 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 Inland Tumblemustard?
Inland Tumblemustard is susceptible to aphids, cabbage worms, flea beetles. 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 Inland Tumblemustard Need?
Inland Tumblemustard grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Inland Tumblemustard is native to the Mojave Desert of California and Nevada, and the southern Sierra Nevada and Transverse Ranges in the United States. In cooler regions, grow Inland Tumblemustard as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Inland Tumblemustard 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 Caulanthus genus (family Brassicaceae) — search all Caulanthus species in the plant lookup.
Inland Tumblemustard 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: Caulanthus inflatus S.Watson, family Brassicaceae (first published in Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 17: 364 (1882)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Inland Tumblemustard, 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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