Cyanea longiflora Plant Care

Cyanea longiflora (Wawra) Lammers, Givnish & Sytsma

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Cyanea longiflora is a rare species of flowering plant in the bellflower family known by the common name ridge rollandia. It is endemic to Oahu where there are only three remaining occurrences in the northern Waianae Mountains for a total of under 300 individuals.

🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Bright indirect light

Temp

60–75°F

Humidity

50–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Cyanea longiflora?

Plant Cyanea longiflora in bright indirect light (USDA zones 13a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

What Is the Cyanea longiflora?

Cyanea longiflora (Cyanea longiflora) belongs to the Campanulaceae family within the Cyanea genus. Cyanea longiflora is native to Oahu.

Cyanea longiflora displays a tall, upright shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Cyanea longiflora produces showy, colorful bracts with small flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Cyanea longiflora?

Water a young or newly planted Cyanea longiflora 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 Cyanea longiflora Need?

Cyanea longiflora thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Cyanea longiflora in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Light Requirement

Bright indirect light

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Cyanea longiflora Prefer?

Cyanea longiflora tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F. Cyanea longiflora prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Temperature

60–75°F

Humidity

50–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Cyanea longiflora?

Well-draining, acidic soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Cyanea longiflora to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Cyanea longiflora?

Feed Cyanea longiflora 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 Cyanea longiflora?

Choose a spot with bright indirect light and well-draining, acidic soil mix with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Cyanea longiflora is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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 Cyanea longiflora?

Cyanea longiflora 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 Cyanea longiflora?

Prune Cyanea longiflora 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 Cyanea longiflora in Winter?

Cyanea longiflora 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 Cyanea longiflora?

Cyanea longiflora can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to haleakala silversword plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Cyanea longiflora Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Cyanea longiflora, 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 Cyanea longiflora?

Cyanea longiflora is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. 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 Cyanea longiflora Need?

Cyanea longiflora grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Cyanea longiflora is native to Oahu. In cooler regions, grow Cyanea longiflora as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Cyanea longiflora 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 Cyanea genus — compare its care with other Cyanea species on PlantoScan.

Cyanea is part of the Campanulaceae plant family — browse all Campanulaceae genera and species.

Cyanea longiflora thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Cyanea Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Cyanea longiflora (Wawra) Lammers, Givnish & Sytsma, family Campanulaceae (first published in Novon 3: 439 (1993)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Cyanea longiflora, 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 13a, 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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