Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata (Dalea albiflora)

Photo: Don LoarieCC BY 4.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped

Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata Plant Care

Dalea albiflora A.Gray

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Dalea albiflora, the whiteflower prairie clover or scruffy prairie clover, is a perennial subshrub or herb of the subfamily Faboideae in the pea family-(Fabaceae). It is found in the southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico in the states of Arizona, New Mexico, Sonora, and Chihuahua.

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Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–85°F

Humidity

30–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata?

Plant Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata Native To?

Native range2 countries

What Is the Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata?

Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata (Dalea albiflora) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Dalea genus. Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata is native to the southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico in the states of Arizona, New Mexico, Sonora, and Chihuahua. Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata is also known as Dalea gentryi, Dalea ordiae, Dalea rydbergii.

Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata displays a low spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata produces small clustered flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 2.5 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata?

Water a young or newly planted Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata 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 Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata Need?

Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata Prefer?

Dalea albiflora tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.

Temperature

60–85°F

Humidity

30–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata?

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata?

Feed Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata 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 Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata?

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

Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata 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 Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata?

Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 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 Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata?

Prune Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata 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 Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata in Winter?

Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata 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 Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata?

Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to golden prairie clover plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata, 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 Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata?

Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, caterpillars. 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 Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata Need?

Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata is native to the southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico in the states of Arizona, New Mexico, Sonora, and Chihuahua. In cooler regions, grow Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata 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 Dalea genus — compare its care with other Dalea species on PlantoScan.

Dalea is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.

Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Dalea Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Dalea albiflora A.Gray, family Fabaceae — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Dalea albiflora var. brevibracteata, 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: Don Loarie, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
  • 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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