Bigflower Pincushion Plant Care
Chaenactis macrantha D.C.Eaton
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Chaenactis macrantha is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common names bighead dustymaiden and Mojave pincushion. It is native to the Great Basin and the southwestern deserts of the United States, in California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, southwestern Idaho, and southeastern Oregon.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
50–85°F
20–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Bigflower Pincushion?
Water Bigflower Pincushion 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 Bigflower Pincushion Native To?
What Is the Bigflower Pincushion?
Bigflower Pincushion (Chaenactis macrantha) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Chaenactis genus. Bigflower Pincushion is native to the Great Basin and the southwestern deserts of the United States, in California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, southwestern Idaho, and southeastern Oregon.
Bigflower Pincushion displays a low mat-forming perennial growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Bigflower Pincushion produces small daisy-like flowers in white, pink, or purple.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Bigflower Pincushion?
Chaenactis macrantha 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 Bigflower Pincushion Need?
Bigflower Pincushion thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Bigflower Pincushion Prefer?
Chaenactis macrantha grows best at temperatures of 50–85°F. Bigflower Pincushion prefers humidity levels of 20–60%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
20–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Bigflower Pincushion?
Well-draining sandy soil with low fertility. Good drainage is essential for Bigflower Pincushion to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Bigflower Pincushion?
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 Bigflower Pincushion?
Bigflower Pincushion can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to artemisia-leaf dustymaiden plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Bigflower Pincushion Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Bigflower Pincushion, 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 Bigflower Pincushion?
Bigflower Pincushion 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 Bigflower Pincushion Need?
Bigflower Pincushion grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Bigflower Pincushion is native to the Great Basin and the southwestern deserts of the United States, in California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, southwestern Idaho, and southeastern Oregon. In cooler regions, grow Bigflower Pincushion as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Bigflower Pincushion 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.
Bigflower Pincushion 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 macrantha D.C.Eaton, family Asteraceae (first published in Botany [Fortieth Parallel] 171, t. 18 (1871)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Bigflower Pincushion, 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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