Photo: Adam J. SearcyCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Small Downingia Plant Care
Downingia pusilla (G.Don) Torr.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Downingia pusilla is a charming plant with delicate, light blue flowers that resemble tiny stars. It is native to the grasslands of California and Oregon and is beloved by plant enthusiasts for its unique beauty.
Every 3–7 days
Partial shade to full sun
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Small Downingia?
Water Small Downingia every 3–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial shade to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Small Downingia Native To?
What Is the Small Downingia?
Small Downingia (Downingia pusilla) belongs to the Campanulaceae family within the Downingia genus. Small Downingia is native to two separate parts of the world, Chile and the US state of California. Small Downingia is also known as Dwarf Downingia.
Small Downingia displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Small Downingia produces small, bell-shaped flowers in shades of blue, purple, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Small Downingia?
Downingia pusilla requires watering every 3–7 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 3–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Small Downingia Need?
Small Downingia thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Small Downingia Prefer?
Downingia pusilla grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Small Downingia prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Small Downingia?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Small Downingia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Small Downingia?
Feed Small Downingia every month 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 month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Small Downingia?
Repot every 1-2 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 Small Downingia?
Small Downingia can be propagated through seeds, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to bacigalupi's downingia plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Small Downingia Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Small Downingia, 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 Small Downingia?
Small Downingia 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 Small Downingia Need?
Small Downingia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Small Downingia is native to two separate parts of the world, Chile and the US state of California.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Small Downingia 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 Downingia genus — compare its care with other Downingia species on PlantoScan.
Downingia is part of the Campanulaceae plant family — browse all Campanulaceae genera and species.
Small Downingia thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Downingia Species
Other Downingia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Downingia pusilla (G.Don) Torr., family Campanulaceae (first published in U.S. Expl. Exped., Phan. 2: 375 (1857)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Small Downingia, 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: Adam J. Searcy, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 10b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Small Downingia Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species