Pride of Madeira Plant Care
Echium candicans L.f.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Echium candicans, the Pride of Madeira, is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, and genus Echium, native to the island of Madeira. It is a large herbaceous perennial subshrub, growing to 1.5–2.5 m.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Pride of Madeira?
Water Pride of Madeira every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Pride of Madeira Native To?
What Is the Pride of Madeira?
Pride of Madeira (Echium candicans) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Echium genus. Pride of Madeira is native to the island of Madeira. Pride of Madeira is also known as Tower of Jewels, Blue Tower of Jewels.
Pride of Madeira displays a tall, spiky perennial growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Pride of Madeira produces tall spikes of small blue, pink, or purple flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Pride of Madeira?
Echium candicans requires watering every 7–14 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 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Pride of Madeira Need?
Pride of Madeira thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Pride of Madeira Prefer?
Echium candicans grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Pride of Madeira prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Pride of Madeira?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Pride of Madeira to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Pride of Madeira?
Feed Pride of Madeira 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 Pride of Madeira?
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 Pride of Madeira?
Pride of Madeira can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to boissier's viper's-bugloss plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Pride of Madeira Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Pride of Madeira, 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 Pride of Madeira?
Pride of Madeira is susceptible to aphids, 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 Pride of Madeira Need?
Pride of Madeira grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Pride of Madeira is native to the island of Madeira. In cooler regions, grow Pride of Madeira as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Pride of Madeira 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 Echium genus — compare its care with other Echium species on PlantoScan.
Echium is part of the Boraginaceae plant family — browse all Boraginaceae genera and species.
Pride of Madeira thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Echium Species
Other Echium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Echium candicans L.f., family Boraginaceae (first published in Suppl. Pl. : 131 (1782)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Pride of Madeira, 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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