Deuterocohnia digitata Plant Care

Deuterocohnia digitata L.B.Sm.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Deuterocohnia digitata is a plant species in the genus Deuterocohnia. This species is native to Bolivia.

🪴Houseplants🌺Bromeliads
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Bright indirect to partial shade

Temp

60–80°F

Humidity

50–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Deuterocohnia digitata?

Plant Deuterocohnia digitata in bright indirect to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Deuterocohnia digitata Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Deuterocohnia digitata?

Deuterocohnia digitata (Deuterocohnia digitata) belongs to the Bromeliaceae family within the Deuterocohnia genus. Deuterocohnia digitata is native to Bolivia.

Deuterocohnia digitata displays a low rosette, clumping habit growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Deuterocohnia digitata produces brightly colored bracts with small, inconspicuous flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Deuterocohnia digitata?

Water a young or newly planted Deuterocohnia digitata 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 Deuterocohnia digitata Need?

Deuterocohnia digitata thrives in bright indirect to partial shade. Avoid placing Deuterocohnia digitata in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Light Requirement

Bright indirect to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Deuterocohnia digitata Prefer?

Deuterocohnia digitata tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Deuterocohnia digitata prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

50–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Deuterocohnia digitata?

Well-draining, acidic soil mix with added perlite and bark chips. Good drainage is essential for Deuterocohnia digitata to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Deuterocohnia digitata?

Feed Deuterocohnia digitata 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 Deuterocohnia digitata?

Choose a spot with bright indirect to partial shade and well-draining, acidic soil mix with added perlite and bark chips. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Deuterocohnia digitata 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 Deuterocohnia digitata?

Deuterocohnia digitata can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 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 Deuterocohnia digitata?

Prune Deuterocohnia digitata 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 Deuterocohnia digitata in Winter?

Deuterocohnia digitata 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 Deuterocohnia digitata?

Deuterocohnia digitata can be propagated through offsets (pups), division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to deuterocohnia brevifolia plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Deuterocohnia digitata Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Deuterocohnia digitata, 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 Deuterocohnia digitata?

Deuterocohnia digitata is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, mealybugs. 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 Deuterocohnia digitata Need?

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

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Deuterocohnia digitata 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 Deuterocohnia genus — compare its care with other Deuterocohnia species on PlantoScan.

Deuterocohnia is part of the Bromeliaceae plant family — browse all Bromeliaceae genera and species.

Deuterocohnia digitata thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Deuterocohnia Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Deuterocohnia digitata L.B.Sm., family Bromeliaceae (first published in Phytologia 18: 137 (1969)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Deuterocohnia digitata, 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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