Dintera pterocaulis Plant Care
Dintera pterocaulis Stapf
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Dintera is a monotypic genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Plantaginaceae. It contains just one species, Dintera pterocaulis Stapf, which comes from Namibia.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Dintera pterocaulis?
Plant Dintera pterocaulis in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Dintera pterocaulis?
Dintera pterocaulis (Dintera pterocaulis) belongs to the Plantaginaceae family within the Dintera genus.
Dintera pterocaulis displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Dintera pterocaulis produces small tubular flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Dintera pterocaulis?
Water a young or newly planted Dintera pterocaulis 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 Dintera pterocaulis Need?
Dintera pterocaulis thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Dintera pterocaulis Prefer?
Dintera pterocaulis tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Dintera pterocaulis prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Dintera pterocaulis?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Dintera pterocaulis to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Dintera pterocaulis?
Feed Dintera pterocaulis 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 Dintera pterocaulis?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Dintera pterocaulis is suited to USDA Zone 12a.
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 Dintera pterocaulis?
Dintera pterocaulis can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 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 Dintera pterocaulis?
Prune Dintera pterocaulis 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 Dintera pterocaulis in Winter?
Dintera pterocaulis is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). 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 Dintera pterocaulis?
Dintera pterocaulis can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets.
Is the Dintera pterocaulis Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Dintera pterocaulis, 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 Dintera pterocaulis?
Dintera pterocaulis is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, snails. 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 Dintera pterocaulis Need?
Dintera pterocaulis grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Dintera pterocaulis as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Dintera pterocaulis 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 Dintera genus — compare its care with other Dintera species on PlantoScan.
Dintera is part of the Plantaginaceae plant family — browse all Plantaginaceae genera and species.
Dintera pterocaulis 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: Dintera pterocaulis Stapf, family Plantaginaceae (first published in Mém. Herb. Boissier 20: 29 (1900)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Dintera pterocaulis, 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.
