
Photo: Andrey ZharkikhCC BY 2.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Showy Fleabane Plant Care
Erigeron eximius Greene
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Erigeron eximius is a North American species of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae known by the common name spruce-fir fleabane.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Showy Fleabane?
Plant Showy Fleabane in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Showy Fleabane?
Showy Fleabane (Erigeron eximius) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Erigeron genus. Showy Fleabane is also known as Erigeron superbus.
Showy Fleabane displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Showy Fleabane produces daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Showy Fleabane?
Water a young or newly planted Showy Fleabane every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Showy Fleabane Need?
Showy Fleabane thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Showy Fleabane Prefer?
Erigeron eximius tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Showy Fleabane prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Showy Fleabane?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Showy Fleabane to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Showy Fleabane?
Feed Showy Fleabane every 6 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 6 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 Showy Fleabane?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Showy Fleabane 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 Showy Fleabane?
Showy Fleabane can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 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 Showy Fleabane?
Prune Showy Fleabane 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 Showy Fleabane in Winter?
Showy Fleabane 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 Showy Fleabane?
Showy Fleabane can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to canadian fleabane plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Showy Fleabane Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Showy Fleabane, 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 Showy Fleabane?
Showy Fleabane is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, powdery mildew. 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 Showy Fleabane Need?
Showy Fleabane grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Showy Fleabane as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Showy Fleabane 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 Erigeron genus — compare its care with other Erigeron species on PlantoScan.
Erigeron is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Showy Fleabane thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Erigeron Species
Other Erigeron species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Erigeron eximius Greene, family Asteraceae (first published in Pittonia 3(18): 295 (1898)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Showy Fleabane, 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.
- Photo: Andrey Zharkikh, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- 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.
