California Clintonia Plant Care
Clintonia andrewsiana Torr.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Clintonia andrewsiana is a species of flowering plant in the lily family Liliaceae. The species was discovered by John Milton Bigelow in 1854 and described by John Torrey in 1856.
Every 5–7 days
Shade to partial shade
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for California Clintonia?
Water California Clintonia every 5–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it shade to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the California Clintonia?
California Clintonia (Clintonia andrewsiana) belongs to the Liliaceae family within the Clintonia genus. California Clintonia is also known as Western Bluebead Lily, Andrews Clintonia.
California Clintonia displays a low rosette, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. California Clintonia produces small, bell-shaped white or greenish flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a California Clintonia?
Clintonia andrewsiana requires watering every 5–7 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 5–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the California Clintonia Need?
California Clintonia thrives in shade to partial shade. Avoid placing California Clintonia in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Shade to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the California Clintonia Prefer?
Clintonia andrewsiana grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. California Clintonia prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a California Clintonia?
Rich, moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for California Clintonia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a California Clintonia?
Feed California Clintonia every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a California Clintonia?
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 California Clintonia?
California Clintonia can be propagated through division of rhizomes, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to bluebead lily plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the California Clintonia Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list California Clintonia, 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 California Clintonia?
California Clintonia is susceptible to slugs, snails, aphids. 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 California Clintonia Need?
California Clintonia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow California Clintonia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
California Clintonia 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 Clintonia genus — compare its care with other Clintonia species on PlantoScan.
Clintonia is part of the Liliaceae plant family — browse all Liliaceae genera and species.
California Clintonia copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Clintonia andrewsiana Torr., family Liliaceae (first published in Pacif. Railr. Rep. Whipple, Bot. 4(5; 4): 150 (1857)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list California Clintonia, 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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