Commersonia breviseta Plant Care

Commersonia breviseta C.F.Wilkins & L.M.Copel.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Commersonia breviseta is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae and endemic to eastern Australia. It is a dwarf shrub with densely-hairy, egg-shaped to narrow elliptic leaves that are paler on the lower surface, and flowers with five white sepals with pink edges, five smaller pale yellow petals and dark red stamens.

Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

55–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Commersonia breviseta?

Plant Commersonia breviseta in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12b) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 55–80°F (13–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Commersonia breviseta Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Commersonia breviseta?

Commersonia breviseta (Commersonia breviseta) belongs to the Malvaceae family within the Commersonia genus. Commersonia breviseta is native to eastern Australia.

Commersonia breviseta displays a small to medium-sized shrub growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Commersonia breviseta produces small, delicate flowers in shades of pink, white, or purple.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Commersonia breviseta?

Water a young or newly planted Commersonia breviseta every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Commersonia breviseta Need?

Commersonia breviseta thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Commersonia breviseta Prefer?

Commersonia breviseta tolerates temperatures of 55–80°F. Commersonia breviseta prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

55–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Commersonia breviseta?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Commersonia breviseta?

Feed Commersonia breviseta every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Commersonia breviseta?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Commersonia breviseta is suited to USDA Zone 12b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Commersonia breviseta?

Commersonia breviseta can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 4 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Commersonia breviseta?

Prune Commersonia breviseta while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

How Do You Care for a Commersonia breviseta in Winter?

Commersonia breviseta is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Commersonia breviseta?

Commersonia breviseta can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to commersonia amystia plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Commersonia breviseta Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Commersonia breviseta, 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 Commersonia breviseta?

Commersonia breviseta is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. 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 Commersonia breviseta Need?

Commersonia breviseta grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 12b. Commersonia breviseta is native to eastern Australia. In cooler regions, grow Commersonia breviseta as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12b

Keep exploring plants

Commersonia breviseta 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 Commersonia genus — compare its care with other Commersonia species on PlantoScan.

Commersonia is part of the Malvaceae plant family — browse all Malvaceae genera and species.

Commersonia breviseta thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Commersonia Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Commersonia breviseta C.F.Wilkins & L.M.Copel., family Malvaceae (first published in Telopea 12: 65 (2008)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Commersonia breviseta, 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 12b, 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.

PlantoScan app icon

Identify Plants Like the
Commersonia breviseta Instantly

Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Free

to download

iOS & Android

platforms

Light & dark

mode

100,000+

species