Teysmann's Ragwort (Crassocephalum teysmannianum)

Photo: LucaLucaCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped

Teysmann's Ragwort Plant Care

Crassocephalum teysmannianum Kuntze

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Gynura aurantiaca, called purple passion or velvet plant, is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae. It is native to Southeast Asia but grown in many other places as a house plant. In warm regions, it is frequently grown outdoors on patios and in gardens rather than inside buildings, and hence it has escaped into the wild in Africa, Australia, South America, Mesoamerica, Florida, and a few other places.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

65–80°F

Humidity

50–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Teysmann's Ragwort?

Plant Teysmann's Ragwort in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13b) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Teysmann's Ragwort Native To?

Native range11 countries

What Is the Teysmann's Ragwort?

Teysmann's Ragwort (Crassocephalum teysmannianum) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Crassocephalum genus. Teysmann's Ragwort is native to Southeast Asia. Teysmann's Ragwort is also known as Cacalia aurantiaca, Crassocephalum aurantiacum, Crassocephalum teysmannianum.

Teysmann's Ragwort displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 2.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Teysmann's Ragwort produces small, daisy-like flowers in yellow or white.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Teysmann's Ragwort?

Water a young or newly planted Teysmann's Ragwort 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 Teysmann's Ragwort Need?

Teysmann's Ragwort thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Teysmann's Ragwort Prefer?

Crassocephalum teysmannianum tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Teysmann's Ragwort prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Temperature

65–80°F

Humidity

50–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Teysmann's Ragwort?

Well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Teysmann's Ragwort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Teysmann's Ragwort?

Feed Teysmann's Ragwort 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 Teysmann's Ragwort?

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

Teysmann's Ragwort is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

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 Teysmann's Ragwort?

Teysmann's Ragwort can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 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 Teysmann's Ragwort?

Prune Teysmann's Ragwort 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 Teysmann's Ragwort in Winter?

Teysmann's Ragwort is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). 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 Teysmann's Ragwort?

Teysmann's Ragwort can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to young 158 plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Teysmann's Ragwort Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Teysmann's Ragwort, 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 Teysmann's Ragwort?

Teysmann's Ragwort is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, 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 Teysmann's Ragwort Need?

Teysmann's Ragwort grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Teysmann's Ragwort is native to Southeast Asia. In cooler regions, grow Teysmann's Ragwort as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13b

Keep exploring plants

Teysmann's Ragwort 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 Crassocephalum genus — compare its care with other Crassocephalum species on PlantoScan.

Crassocephalum is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.

Teysmann's Ragwort 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: Crassocephalum teysmannianum Kuntze, family Asteraceae (first published in Revis. Gen. Pl. 1: 331 (1891)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Teysmann's Ragwort, 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: LucaLuca, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, 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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