Charadrophila capensis Plant Care

Charadrophila capensis Marloth

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Charadrophila is a genus of flowering plants in the family Stilbaceae described as a genus in 1899. There is only one known species, Charadrophila capensis, native to the Cape Province region of South Africa.

Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Bright indirect light

Temp

60–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Charadrophila capensis?

Plant Charadrophila capensis in bright indirect light (USDA zones 13a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Charadrophila capensis Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Charadrophila capensis?

Charadrophila capensis (Charadrophila capensis) belongs to the Stilbaceae family within the Charadrophila genus. Charadrophila capensis is native to the Cape Province region of South Africa.

Charadrophila capensis displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Charadrophila capensis produces small tubular flowers in clusters of pink, purple, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Charadrophila capensis?

Water a young or newly planted Charadrophila capensis 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 Charadrophila capensis Need?

Charadrophila capensis thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Charadrophila capensis in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Light Requirement

Bright indirect light

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Charadrophila capensis Prefer?

Charadrophila capensis tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F. Charadrophila capensis prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

60–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Charadrophila capensis?

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Charadrophila capensis to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Charadrophila capensis?

Feed Charadrophila capensis 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 Charadrophila capensis?

Choose a spot with bright indirect light and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Charadrophila capensis is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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 Charadrophila capensis?

Charadrophila capensis 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 Charadrophila capensis?

Prune Charadrophila capensis 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 Charadrophila capensis in Winter?

Charadrophila capensis is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). 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 Charadrophila capensis?

Charadrophila capensis can be propagated through softwood cuttings, division of offsets.

Is the Charadrophila capensis Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Charadrophila capensis, 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 Charadrophila capensis?

Charadrophila capensis is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, mealybugs. 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 Charadrophila capensis Need?

Charadrophila capensis grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Charadrophila capensis is native to the Cape Province region of South Africa. In cooler regions, grow Charadrophila capensis as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Charadrophila capensis 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 Charadrophila genus — compare its care with other Charadrophila species on PlantoScan.

Charadrophila is part of the Stilbaceae plant family — browse all Stilbaceae genera and species.

Charadrophila capensis 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: Charadrophila capensis Marloth, family Stilbaceae (first published in Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 26: 358 (1899)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Charadrophila capensis, 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 13a, 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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