Duvalia elegans Plant Care
Duvalia elegans (Masson) Haw.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Duvalia elegans is a small succulent plant species, in the family Apocynaceae. It is the type species of the genus Duvalia, and it is endemic to the Western Cape Province, South Africa.
Every 14–21 days
Bright indirect light
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Duvalia elegans?
Water Duvalia elegans every 14–21 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Duvalia elegans Native To?
What Is the Duvalia elegans?
Duvalia elegans (Duvalia elegans) belongs to the Apocynaceae family within the Duvalia genus. Duvalia elegans is native to the Western Cape Province, South Africa.
Duvalia elegans displays a low clumping succulent growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Duvalia elegans produces star-shaped flowers in shades of red or purple.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Duvalia elegans?
Duvalia elegans requires watering every 14–21 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 14–21 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Duvalia elegans Need?
Duvalia elegans thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Duvalia elegans in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Duvalia elegans Prefer?
Duvalia elegans grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Duvalia elegans prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Duvalia elegans?
Well-draining succulent mix with sand and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Duvalia elegans to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Duvalia elegans?
Feed Duvalia elegans 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 Duvalia elegans?
Repot every 2-3 years in 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 Duvalia elegans?
Duvalia elegans can be propagated through stem cuttings, offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to tufted duvalia plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Duvalia elegans Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Duvalia elegans, 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 Duvalia elegans?
Duvalia elegans is susceptible to mealybugs, spider mites. 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 Duvalia elegans Need?
Duvalia elegans grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Duvalia elegans is native to the Western Cape Province, South Africa. In cooler regions, grow Duvalia elegans as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Duvalia elegans 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 Duvalia genus — compare its care with other Duvalia species on PlantoScan.
Duvalia is part of the Apocynaceae plant family — browse all Apocynaceae genera and species.
Duvalia elegans 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: Duvalia elegans (Masson) Haw., family Apocynaceae (first published in Syn. Pl. Succ. : 44 (1812)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Duvalia elegans, 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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