New Guinea Commersonia Plant Care

New Guinea Commersonia (Commersonia novoguinensis) belongs to the Malvaceae family within the Commersonia genus. New Guinea Commersonia is native to New Guinea.

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

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted New Guinea Commersonia 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.

New Guinea Commersonia thrives in full sun to partial shade.

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

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

Feed New Guinea Commersonia 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.

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

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.

New Guinea Commersonia 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.

New Guinea Commersonia 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.

Prune New Guinea Commersonia 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.

New Guinea Commersonia 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.

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

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

New Guinea Commersonia 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.

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