Photo: Stan ShebsCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Gravel Ghost Plant Care
Chaenactis carphoclinia A.Gray
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Chaenactis carphoclinia is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common name pebble pincushion. It is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, where it grows in rocky and gravelly habitat, such as the California deserts. The species is found in southern California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, Baja California, Sonora.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
50–85°F
20–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Gravel Ghost?
Water Gravel Ghost every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C) and 20–60% humidity.
Where Is the Gravel Ghost Native To?
What Is the Gravel Ghost?
Gravel Ghost (Chaenactis carphoclinia) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Chaenactis genus. Gravel Ghost is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Gravel Ghost is also known as Carphoclinia, Chaenactis attenuata, Chaenactis carphoclinia.
Gravel Ghost displays a low mat-forming perennial growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Gravel Ghost produces small daisy-like flowers in white, pink, or purple.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Gravel Ghost?
Chaenactis carphoclinia 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 Gravel Ghost Need?
Gravel Ghost thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Gravel Ghost Prefer?
Chaenactis carphoclinia grows best at temperatures of 50–85°F. Gravel Ghost prefers humidity levels of 20–60%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
20–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Gravel Ghost?
Well-draining sandy soil with low fertility. Good drainage is essential for Gravel Ghost to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Gravel Ghost?
Repot every 2-3 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 Gravel Ghost?
Gravel Ghost can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to artemisia-leaf dustymaiden plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Gravel Ghost Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Gravel Ghost, 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 Gravel Ghost?
Gravel Ghost 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 Gravel Ghost Need?
Gravel Ghost grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Gravel Ghost is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. In cooler regions, grow Gravel Ghost as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Gravel Ghost 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 Chaenactis genus — compare its care with other Chaenactis species on PlantoScan.
Chaenactis is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Gravel Ghost thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Chaenactis Species
Other Chaenactis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Chaenactis carphoclinia A.Gray, family Asteraceae (first published in Rep. U.S. Mex. Bound., Bot. [Emory] 94. 1859) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Gravel Ghost, 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.
- Photo: Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- 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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