Pygmy Miner's Lettuce Plant Care
Cistanthe pygmaea (Parish ex Rydb.) Hershk.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Calyptridium pygmaeum, common name pygmy pussypaws, is a plant species endemic to California. It has been reported from Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo, Tulare and Fresno Counties, in pine and subalpine forests at elevations of 1900–3550 m.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Pygmy Miner's Lettuce?
Pygmy Miner's Lettuce grows best in full sun to partial shade.
Where Is the Pygmy Miner's Lettuce Native To?
What Is the Pygmy Miner's Lettuce?
Pygmy Miner's Lettuce (Cistanthe pygmaea) belongs to the Montiaceae family within the Cistanthe genus. Pygmy Miner's Lettuce is native to California.
Pygmy Miner's Lettuce displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Pygmy Miner's Lettuce produces small, colorful star-shaped flowers in clusters.
What Light Does the Pygmy Miner's Lettuce Need?
Pygmy Miner's Lettuce thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Pygmy Miner's Lettuce?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Pygmy Miner's Lettuce to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Pygmy Miner's Lettuce?
Repot every 1-2 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 Pygmy Miner's Lettuce?
Pygmy Miner's Lettuce can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to cistanthe ambigua plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Pygmy Miner's Lettuce Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Pygmy Miner's Lettuce, 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 Pygmy Miner's Lettuce?
Pygmy Miner's Lettuce is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, snails. 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
Pygmy Miner's Lettuce 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 Cistanthe genus — compare its care with other Cistanthe species on PlantoScan.
Cistanthe is part of the Montiaceae plant family — browse all Montiaceae genera and species.
Pygmy Miner's Lettuce thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Cistanthe Species
Other Cistanthe species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Cistanthe pygmaea (Parish ex Rydb.) Hershk., family Montiaceae (first published in Phytologia 68: 268 (1990)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Pygmy Miner's Lettuce, 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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