Dryas incisa Plant Care
Dryas incisa Juz.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Dryas octopetala, the mountain avens, eightpetal mountain-avens, white dryas or white dryad, is an Arctic–alpine flowering plant in the family Rosaceae. It is a small prostrate evergreen subshrub forming large colonies.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Dryas incisa?
Plant Dryas incisa in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–14 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 Dryas incisa?
Dryas incisa (Dryas incisa) belongs to the Rosaceae family within the Dryas genus.
Dryas incisa displays a low spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Dryas incisa produces showy white or yellow flowers with five petals.
Leaf size: approximately 2.5 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Dryas incisa?
Water a young or newly planted Dryas incisa every 7–14 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 7–14 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Dryas incisa Need?
Dryas incisa thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Dryas incisa Prefer?
Dryas incisa tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Dryas incisa prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Dryas incisa?
Well-draining, acidic soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Dryas incisa to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Dryas incisa?
Feed Dryas incisa 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 Dryas incisa?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, acidic soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Dryas incisa 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 Dryas incisa?
Dryas incisa 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 Dryas incisa?
Prune Dryas incisa 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 Dryas incisa in Winter?
Dryas incisa 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 Dryas incisa?
Dryas incisa can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to mountain avens plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Dryas incisa Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Dryas incisa, 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 Dryas incisa?
Dryas incisa is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, leaf miners. 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 Dryas incisa Need?
Dryas incisa grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Dryas incisa as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Dryas incisa 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 Dryas genus — compare its care with other Dryas species on PlantoScan.
Dryas is part of the Rosaceae plant family — browse all Rosaceae genera and species.
Dryas incisa 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: Dryas incisa Juz., family Rosaceae (first published in Izv. Glavn. Bot. Sada S.S.S.R. 28: 323 (1929)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Dryas incisa, 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.
