Texas Dalea Plant Care

Dalea austrotexana B.L.Turner

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Dalea austrotexana, common names dune dalea and South Texas prairie clover, is a plant species endemic to southern Texas. It is known only from Jim Hogg, Brooks, Cameron, Kenedy and Starr Counties, all at the very southern tip of the state.

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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 Texas Dalea?

Plant Texas Dalea 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 Texas Dalea Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Texas Dalea?

Texas Dalea (Dalea austrotexana) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Dalea genus. Texas Dalea is native to southern Texas.

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

Leaf size: approximately 2.5 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Texas Dalea?

Water a young or newly planted Texas Dalea 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 Texas Dalea Need?

Texas Dalea thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Texas Dalea Prefer?

Dalea austrotexana tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Texas Dalea prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.

Temperature

60–85°F

Humidity

30–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Texas Dalea?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Texas Dalea?

Feed Texas Dalea 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 Texas Dalea?

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.

Texas Dalea 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 Texas Dalea?

Texas Dalea 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 Texas Dalea?

Prune Texas Dalea 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 Texas Dalea in Winter?

Texas Dalea 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 Texas Dalea?

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

Is the Texas Dalea Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Texas Dalea, 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 Texas Dalea?

Texas Dalea 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 Texas Dalea Need?

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

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Texas Dalea 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.

Texas Dalea 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 austrotexana B.L.Turner, family Fabaceae (first published in Phytologia 88: 289 (2006)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Texas Dalea, 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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