Celmisia saxifraga Plant Care
Celmisia saxifraga Comber
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Celmisia saxifraga, commonly known as the small snow daisy, is a perennial herb in the Asteraceae family. It is native to Tasmania and Victoria, where it grows in alpine grasslands above the snowline.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Celmisia saxifraga?
Plant Celmisia saxifraga in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Celmisia saxifraga Native To?
What Is the Celmisia saxifraga?
Celmisia saxifraga (Celmisia saxifraga) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Celmisia genus. Celmisia saxifraga is native to Tasmania and Victoria.
Celmisia saxifraga displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Celmisia saxifraga produces daisy-like flowers in white, pink, or purple.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Celmisia saxifraga?
Water a young or newly planted Celmisia saxifraga 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 Celmisia saxifraga Need?
Celmisia saxifraga thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Celmisia saxifraga Prefer?
Celmisia saxifraga tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Celmisia saxifraga prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Celmisia saxifraga?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Celmisia saxifraga to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Celmisia saxifraga?
Feed Celmisia saxifraga 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 Celmisia saxifraga?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Celmisia saxifraga 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 Celmisia saxifraga?
Celmisia saxifraga can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 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 Celmisia saxifraga?
Prune Celmisia saxifraga 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 Celmisia saxifraga in Winter?
Celmisia saxifraga 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 Celmisia saxifraga?
Celmisia saxifraga can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to narrow-leafed mountain daisy plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Celmisia saxifraga Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Celmisia saxifraga, 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 Celmisia saxifraga?
Celmisia saxifraga is susceptible to aphids, 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 Celmisia saxifraga Need?
Celmisia saxifraga grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Celmisia saxifraga is native to Tasmania and Victoria. In cooler regions, grow Celmisia saxifraga as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Celmisia saxifraga 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 Celmisia genus — compare its care with other Celmisia species on PlantoScan.
Celmisia is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Celmisia saxifraga thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Celmisia Species
Other Celmisia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Celmisia saxifraga Comber, family Asteraceae (first published in New Fl. & Silva iii. 99 (1931), in obs., nome) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Celmisia saxifraga, 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.
