Rock fleabane Plant Care

Rock fleabane (Erigeron petrophilus) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Erigeron genus. Rock fleabane is native to the mountain ranges of California from Siskiyou County south as far as San Luis Obispo County and El Dorado County. Rock fleabane is also known as Pittonia.

Rock fleabane displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Rock fleabane produces daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Rock 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.

Rock fleabane thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Erigeron petrophilus tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Rock fleabane prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Rock fleabane to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Rock 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.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

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.

Rock 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.

Rock 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.

Prune Rock 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.

Rock 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.

Rock fleabane can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to canadian fleabane plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Rock 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.

Rock fleabane grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Rock fleabane is native to the mountain ranges of California from Siskiyou County south as far as San Luis Obispo County and El Dorado County. In cooler regions, grow Rock fleabane as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.