Chaetonychia cymosa Plant Care
Chaetonychia cymosa (L.) Sweet
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Chaetonychia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Caryophyllaceae. It is monotypic, being represented by the single species Chaetonychia cymosa.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Chaetonychia cymosa?
Plant Chaetonychia cymosa in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Chaetonychia cymosa?
Chaetonychia cymosa (Chaetonychia cymosa) belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family within the Chaetonychia genus.
Chaetonychia cymosa displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Chaetonychia cymosa produces small, star-shaped white flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Chaetonychia cymosa?
Water a young or newly planted Chaetonychia cymosa every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Chaetonychia cymosa Need?
Chaetonychia cymosa thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Chaetonychia cymosa Prefer?
Chaetonychia cymosa tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Chaetonychia cymosa prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Chaetonychia cymosa?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Chaetonychia cymosa to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Chaetonychia cymosa?
Feed Chaetonychia cymosa 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 Chaetonychia cymosa?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Chaetonychia cymosa 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 Chaetonychia cymosa?
Chaetonychia cymosa can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 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 Chaetonychia cymosa?
Prune Chaetonychia cymosa 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 Chaetonychia cymosa in Winter?
Chaetonychia cymosa 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 Chaetonychia cymosa?
Chaetonychia cymosa can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps.
Is the Chaetonychia cymosa Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Chaetonychia cymosa, 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 Chaetonychia cymosa?
Chaetonychia cymosa is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, slugs. 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 Chaetonychia cymosa Need?
Chaetonychia cymosa grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Chaetonychia cymosa as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Chaetonychia cymosa 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 Chaetonychia genus — compare its care with other Chaetonychia species on PlantoScan.
Chaetonychia is part of the Caryophyllaceae plant family — browse all Caryophyllaceae genera and species.
Chaetonychia cymosa 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: Chaetonychia cymosa (L.) Sweet, family Caryophyllaceae (first published in Hort. Brit. , ed. 3: 263 (1839)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Chaetonychia cymosa, 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.
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