Spiny Spineflower Plant Care
Chorizanthe spinosa S.Watson
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Chorizanthe spinosa is an uncommon species of flowering plant in the buckwheat family known by the common name Mojave spineflower. It is endemic to California, where it is known only from the scrub habitat at the western edges of the Mojave Desert.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Spiny Spineflower?
Spiny Spineflower grows best in full sun to partial shade.
Where Is the Spiny Spineflower Native To?
What Is the Spiny Spineflower?
Spiny Spineflower (Chorizanthe spinosa) belongs to the Polygonaceae family within the Chorizanthe genus. Spiny Spineflower is native to California.
Spiny Spineflower displays a low spreading groundcover growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Spiny Spineflower produces small clusters of inconspicuous flowers.
What Light Does the Spiny Spineflower Need?
Spiny Spineflower thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Spiny Spineflower?
Well-draining sandy soil with low to moderate fertility. Good drainage is essential for Spiny Spineflower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Spiny Spineflower?
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 Spiny Spineflower?
Spiny Spineflower can be propagated through seeds, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to short-horn spineflower plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Spiny Spineflower Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Spiny Spineflower, 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 Spiny Spineflower?
Spiny Spineflower is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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.
Keep exploring plants
Spiny Spineflower 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 Chorizanthe genus — compare its care with other Chorizanthe species on PlantoScan.
Chorizanthe is part of the Polygonaceae plant family — browse all Polygonaceae genera and species.
Spiny Spineflower thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Chorizanthe Species
Other Chorizanthe species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Chorizanthe spinosa S.Watson, family Polygonaceae (first published in Bot. California 2: 481 (1880)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Spiny Spineflower, 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.
- 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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