Elsholtzia collinsonia Plant Care

Collinsonia elsholtzioides (Merr.) Harley

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

This plant is known for its large, heart-shaped leaves with striking serrated edges. Originating from the forests of Mexico, its unique foliage and bright yellow flowers make it a highly sought-after addition to any plant collector's garden.

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Water

Every 5–7 days

Light

Partial shade to full sun

Temp

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Elsholtzia collinsonia?

Water Elsholtzia collinsonia every 5–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial shade to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

What Is the Elsholtzia collinsonia?

Elsholtzia collinsonia (Collinsonia elsholtzioides) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Collinsonia genus. Elsholtzia collinsonia is native to China, Taiwan. Elsholtzia collinsonia is also known as Elsholtzia stachyoides.

Elsholtzia collinsonia displays an upright, spreading perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Elsholtzia collinsonia produces small tubular flowers in shades of white, pink, or purple.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Elsholtzia collinsonia?

Collinsonia elsholtzioides 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 Elsholtzia collinsonia Need?

Elsholtzia collinsonia thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Light Requirement

Partial shade to full sun

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Elsholtzia collinsonia Prefer?

Collinsonia elsholtzioides grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Elsholtzia collinsonia prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Elsholtzia collinsonia?

Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Elsholtzia collinsonia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Elsholtzia collinsonia?

Feed Elsholtzia collinsonia 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 Elsholtzia collinsonia?

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 Elsholtzia collinsonia?

Elsholtzia collinsonia can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to richweed plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Elsholtzia collinsonia Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Elsholtzia collinsonia, 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 Elsholtzia collinsonia?

Elsholtzia collinsonia 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Elsholtzia collinsonia Need?

Elsholtzia collinsonia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Elsholtzia collinsonia is native to China, Taiwan. In cooler regions, grow Elsholtzia collinsonia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Elsholtzia collinsonia 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 Collinsonia genus — compare its care with other Collinsonia species on PlantoScan.

Collinsonia is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.

Elsholtzia collinsonia thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Collinsonia Species

Other Collinsonia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Collinsonia elsholtzioides (Merr.) Harley, family Lamiaceae (first published in Kew Bull. 58: 486 (2003)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Elsholtzia collinsonia, 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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