Wand Woollystar Plant Care
Eriastrum virgatum (Benth.) H.Mason
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Eriastrum virgatum is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name wand woollystar. It is endemic to California, where it is known the coastline and coastal mountain ranges of Monterey and San Benito Counties.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Wand Woollystar?
Wand Woollystar grows best in full sun to partial shade.
Where Is the Wand Woollystar Native To?
What Is the Wand Woollystar?
Wand Woollystar (Eriastrum virgatum) belongs to the Polemoniaceae family within the Eriastrum genus. Wand Woollystar is native to California.
Wand Woollystar displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Wand Woollystar produces small, colorful tubular flowers in shades of blue, purple, or pink.
What Light Does the Wand Woollystar Need?
Wand Woollystar thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Wand Woollystar?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with some organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Wand Woollystar to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Wand Woollystar?
Repot every 1-2 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 Wand Woollystar?
Wand Woollystar can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to abrams' woolly star plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Wand Woollystar Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Wand Woollystar, 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 Wand Woollystar?
Wand Woollystar is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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.
Keep exploring plants
Wand Woollystar 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 Eriastrum genus — compare its care with other Eriastrum species on PlantoScan.
Eriastrum is part of the Polemoniaceae plant family — browse all Polemoniaceae genera and species.
Wand Woollystar thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Eriastrum Species
Other Eriastrum species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Eriastrum virgatum (Benth.) H.Mason, family Polemoniaceae (first published in Madroño 8: 84 (1945)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Wand Woollystar, 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.
- 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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