Spotted Horseweed Plant Care
Collinsonia punctata Elliott
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Collinsonia punctata, commonly known as Florida horsebalm, is a species of flowering plant in the mint family (Lamiaceae). It is endemic to the Coastal Plain of the southeastern United States.
Every 5–7 days
Partial shade to full sun
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Spotted Horseweed?
Water Spotted Horseweed 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.
Where Is the Spotted Horseweed Native To?
What Is the Spotted Horseweed?
Spotted Horseweed (Collinsonia punctata) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Collinsonia genus. Spotted Horseweed is native to the Coastal Plain of the southeastern United States. Spotted Horseweed is also known as Horseweed.
Spotted Horseweed displays an upright, spreading perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Spotted Horseweed produces small tubular flowers in shades of white, pink, or purple.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Spotted Horseweed?
Collinsonia punctata 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 Spotted Horseweed Need?
Spotted Horseweed thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Spotted Horseweed Prefer?
Collinsonia punctata grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Spotted Horseweed prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Spotted Horseweed?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Spotted Horseweed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Spotted Horseweed?
Feed Spotted Horseweed 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 Spotted Horseweed?
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 Spotted Horseweed?
Spotted Horseweed 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 Spotted Horseweed Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Spotted Horseweed, 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 Spotted Horseweed?
Spotted Horseweed 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 Spotted Horseweed Need?
Spotted Horseweed grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Spotted Horseweed is native to the Coastal Plain of the southeastern United States. In cooler regions, grow Spotted Horseweed as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Spotted Horseweed 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.
Spotted Horseweed 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 punctata Elliott, family Lamiaceae (first published in Sketch Bot. S. Carolina 1: 36 (1816)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Spotted Horseweed, 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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