Photo: Oleksandr ShynderCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Gold-of-pleasure Plant Care
Camelina sativa Crantz
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With delicate, lance-shaped leaves and pale yellow flowers, this plant originates from Europe and Central Asia. Plant collectors are drawn to Camelina sativa for its historical significance, as it has been cultivated for centuries for its versatile uses in cooking, medicine, and even biofuel production.
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Gold-of-pleasure?
Water Gold-of-pleasure every 4–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun 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.
Where Is the Gold-of-pleasure Native To?
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tajikistan
- The Netherlands
- Turkmenistan
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Uzbekistan
What Is the Gold-of-pleasure?
Gold-of-pleasure (Camelina sativa) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Camelina genus. Gold-of-pleasure is native to Europe and areas of Central Asia. Gold-of-pleasure is also known as False Flax, Little Flax, Wild Flax.
Gold-of-pleasure displays an upright, branching herb growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Gold-of-pleasure produces small yellow flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Gold-of-pleasure?
Camelina sativa requires watering every 4–7 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 4–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Gold-of-pleasure Need?
Gold-of-pleasure thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Gold-of-pleasure Prefer?
Camelina sativa grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Gold-of-pleasure prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Gold-of-pleasure?
Well-draining loamy soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Gold-of-pleasure to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Gold-of-pleasure?
Feed Gold-of-pleasure 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 Gold-of-pleasure?
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 Gold-of-pleasure?
Gold-of-pleasure can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to false flax plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Gold-of-pleasure Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Gold-of-pleasure, 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 Gold-of-pleasure?
Gold-of-pleasure is susceptible to aphids, cabbage worms, flea beetles. 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 Gold-of-pleasure Need?
Gold-of-pleasure grows outdoors in USDA Zone 6a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 6a. Gold-of-pleasure is native to Europe and areas of Central Asia.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 6a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Gold-of-pleasure 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 Camelina genus — compare its care with other Camelina species on PlantoScan.
Camelina is part of the Brassicaceae plant family — browse all Brassicaceae genera and species.
Gold-of-pleasure 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: Camelina sativa Crantz, family Brassicaceae (first published in Stirp. Austr. Fasc. 1: 17 (1762)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Gold-of-pleasure, 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.
- Photo: Oleksandr Shynder, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 6a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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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