Twining Brodiaea Plant Care
Dichelostemma volubile (Kellogg) A.Heller
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Dichelostemma volubile is a species of flowering plant known by the common names twining snakelily and twining brodiaea. This wildflower is endemic to the mountain foothills of California, where it grows in scrub and woodland.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Twining Brodiaea?
Water Twining Brodiaea every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Twining Brodiaea Native To?
What Is the Twining Brodiaea?
Twining Brodiaea (Dichelostemma volubile) belongs to the Asparagaceae family within the Dichelostemma genus. Twining Brodiaea is native to the mountain foothills of California. Twining Brodiaea is also known as Firecracker Flower, Rattlesnake Grass.
Twining Brodiaea displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Twining Brodiaea produces tubular flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Twining Brodiaea?
Dichelostemma volubile requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Twining Brodiaea Need?
Twining Brodiaea thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Twining Brodiaea Prefer?
Dichelostemma volubile grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Twining Brodiaea prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Twining Brodiaea?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Twining Brodiaea to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Twining Brodiaea?
Feed Twining Brodiaea every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Twining Brodiaea?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Twining Brodiaea?
Twining Brodiaea can be propagated through division of offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to firecracker flower plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Twining Brodiaea Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Twining Brodiaea, 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 Twining Brodiaea?
Twining Brodiaea is susceptible to thrips, aphids, onion maggots. 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 Twining Brodiaea Need?
Twining Brodiaea grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Twining Brodiaea is native to the mountain foothills of California. In cooler regions, grow Twining Brodiaea as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Twining Brodiaea 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 Dichelostemma genus — compare its care with other Dichelostemma species on PlantoScan.
Dichelostemma is part of the Asparagaceae plant family — browse all Asparagaceae genera and species.
Twining Brodiaea 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: Dichelostemma volubile (Kellogg) A.Heller, family Asparagaceae (first published in Bull. S. Calif. Acad. Sci. 2: 65 (1903)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Twining Brodiaea, 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 12a, 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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