Chinese Fumewort Plant Care
Corydalis cheilanthifolia Hemsl.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Corydalis cheilanthifolia, the fern-leaved corydalis or fern-leaf corydalis, is a flowering plant in the family Papaveraceae. It is a perennial growing from rhizomes, native to western and central China.
Every 2–3 days
Partial to full shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Chinese Fumewort?
Water Chinese Fumewort every 2–3 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial to full shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Chinese Fumewort Native To?
What Is the Chinese Fumewort?
Chinese Fumewort (Corydalis cheilanthifolia) belongs to the Papaveraceae family within the Corydalis genus. Chinese Fumewort is native to western and central China.
Chinese Fumewort displays a spreading, low-growing perennial growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Chinese Fumewort produces unique spurred flowers in shades of pink, purple, or yellow.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Chinese Fumewort?
Corydalis cheilanthifolia requires watering every 2–3 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 2–3 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Chinese Fumewort Need?
Chinese Fumewort thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–1,000 lux. Avoid placing Chinese Fumewort in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial to full shade
100–1,000 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Chinese Fumewort Prefer?
Corydalis cheilanthifolia grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Chinese Fumewort prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Chinese Fumewort?
Moist, well-draining soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Chinese Fumewort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Chinese Fumewort?
Feed Chinese Fumewort 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 Chinese Fumewort?
Divide and 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 Chinese Fumewort?
Chinese Fumewort can be propagated through seeds, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to caucasian corydalis plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Chinese Fumewort Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Chinese Fumewort, 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 Chinese Fumewort?
Chinese Fumewort is susceptible to slugs, snails, aphids. 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 Chinese Fumewort Need?
Chinese Fumewort grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Chinese Fumewort is native to western and central China. In cooler regions, grow Chinese Fumewort as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Chinese Fumewort 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 Corydalis genus — compare its care with other Corydalis species on PlantoScan.
Corydalis is part of the Papaveraceae plant family — browse all Papaveraceae genera and species.
Chinese Fumewort copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
More Corydalis Species
Other Corydalis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Corydalis cheilanthifolia Hemsl., family Papaveraceae (first published in J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 29: 302 (1892)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Chinese Fumewort, 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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