Photo: Lindley, John; Ridgway, JamesPublic domainvia Wikimedia Commons
Billy Buttons Plant Care
Craspedia glauca Spreng.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Craspedia glauca, commonly known as billy buttons, is an erect annual or perennial herb endemic to Tasmania. It is usually an annual herb with pale green leaves in a rosette and yellow button-like flowers on a tall stem.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Billy Buttons?
Water Billy Buttons every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial 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 Billy Buttons Native To?
What Is the Billy Buttons?
Billy Buttons (Craspedia glauca) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Craspedia genus. Billy Buttons is native to Tasmania. Billy Buttons is also known as Golden Billy Buttons, Drumsticks, Craspedia glauca.
Billy Buttons displays a compact, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Billy Buttons produces round, golden-yellow flower heads on long stems.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Billy Buttons?
Craspedia glauca requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Billy Buttons Need?
Billy Buttons thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Billy Buttons Prefer?
Craspedia glauca grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Billy Buttons prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Billy Buttons?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Billy Buttons to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Billy Buttons?
Feed Billy Buttons 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 Billy Buttons?
Repot every 1-2 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 Billy Buttons?
Billy Buttons can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to drumstick plant plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Billy Buttons Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Billy Buttons, 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 Billy Buttons?
Billy Buttons is susceptible to aphids, 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 Billy Buttons Need?
Billy Buttons grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Billy Buttons is native to Tasmania. In cooler regions, grow Billy Buttons as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Billy Buttons 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 Craspedia genus — compare its care with other Craspedia species on PlantoScan.
Craspedia is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Billy Buttons thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Craspedia glauca Spreng., family Asteraceae (first published in Syst. Veg., ed. 16 [Sprengel] 3: 441. 1826 [Jan-Mar 1826]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Billy Buttons, 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.
- Photo: Lindley, John; Ridgway, James, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- 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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