Eremophila crassifolia Plant Care

Eremophila crassifolia (F.Muell.) F.Muell.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Eremophila crassifolia, commonly known as thick-leaved emubush or trim emubush, is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to an area extending from New South Wales through Victoria to southern parts of South Australia. It is a low, spreading shrub with clustered leaves and bell-shaped, usually mauve-coloured flowers.

🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–90°F

Humidity

30–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Eremophila crassifolia?

Plant Eremophila crassifolia 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 50–90°F (10–32°C). Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Eremophila crassifolia Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Eremophila crassifolia?

Eremophila crassifolia (Eremophila crassifolia) belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family within the Eremophila genus. Eremophila crassifolia is native to an area extending from New South Wales through Victoria to southern parts of South Australia.

Eremophila crassifolia displays a compact, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Eremophila crassifolia produces tubular flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Eremophila crassifolia?

Water a young or newly planted Eremophila crassifolia 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 Eremophila crassifolia Need?

Eremophila crassifolia thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Eremophila crassifolia Prefer?

Eremophila crassifolia tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Eremophila crassifolia prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.

Temperature

50–90°F

Humidity

30–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Eremophila crassifolia?

Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Eremophila crassifolia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Eremophila crassifolia?

Feed Eremophila crassifolia every 8 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 8 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 Eremophila crassifolia?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Eremophila crassifolia 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 Eremophila crassifolia?

Eremophila crassifolia can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 4 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 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 Eremophila crassifolia?

Prune Eremophila crassifolia 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 Eremophila crassifolia in Winter?

Eremophila crassifolia 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 Eremophila crassifolia?

Eremophila crassifolia can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to eremophila plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Eremophila crassifolia Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Eremophila crassifolia, 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 Eremophila crassifolia?

Eremophila crassifolia is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. 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 Eremophila crassifolia Need?

Eremophila crassifolia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Eremophila crassifolia is native to an area extending from New South Wales through Victoria to southern parts of South Australia. In cooler regions, grow Eremophila crassifolia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Eremophila crassifolia 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 Eremophila genus — compare its care with other Eremophila species on PlantoScan.

Eremophila is part of the Scrophulariaceae plant family — browse all Scrophulariaceae genera and species.

Eremophila crassifolia thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Eremophila Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Eremophila crassifolia (F.Muell.) F.Muell., family Scrophulariaceae (first published in Pap. & Proc. Roy. Soc. Tasmania 3: 297 (1859)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Eremophila crassifolia, 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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