Epilobium pycnostachyum Plant Care

Epilobium pycnostachyum Hausskn.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Epilobium pycnostachyum, or scree epilobium, is a species of willowherb that is endemic to New Zealand. It grows exclusively on scree slopes on mountains.

Water

Every 3–5 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Epilobium pycnostachyum?

Water Epilobium pycnostachyum every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Epilobium pycnostachyum Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Epilobium pycnostachyum?

Epilobium pycnostachyum (Epilobium pycnostachyum) belongs to the Onagraceae family within the Epilobium genus. Epilobium pycnostachyum is native to New Zealand.

Epilobium pycnostachyum displays an upright, spreading perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Epilobium pycnostachyum produces showy spikes of pink, purple, or white flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Epilobium pycnostachyum?

Epilobium pycnostachyum requires watering every 3–5 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 3–5 days

Let soil partially dry between waterings

What Light Does the Epilobium pycnostachyum Need?

Epilobium pycnostachyum thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Epilobium pycnostachyum Prefer?

Epilobium pycnostachyum grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Epilobium pycnostachyum prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Epilobium pycnostachyum?

Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Epilobium pycnostachyum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Epilobium pycnostachyum?

Feed Epilobium pycnostachyum 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 Epilobium pycnostachyum?

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 Epilobium pycnostachyum?

Epilobium pycnostachyum can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to american willowherb plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Epilobium pycnostachyum Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Epilobium pycnostachyum, 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 Epilobium pycnostachyum?

Epilobium pycnostachyum is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, 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 Epilobium pycnostachyum Need?

Epilobium pycnostachyum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Epilobium pycnostachyum is native to New Zealand. In cooler regions, grow Epilobium pycnostachyum as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Epilobium pycnostachyum 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 Epilobium genus — compare its care with other Epilobium species on PlantoScan.

Epilobium is part of the Onagraceae plant family — browse all Onagraceae genera and species.

Epilobium pycnostachyum thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Epilobium Species

Other Epilobium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Epilobium pycnostachyum Hausskn., family Onagraceae (first published in Oesterr. Bot. Z. 29: 150 (1879)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Epilobium pycnostachyum, 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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