Frigidites circumscissa (Eritrichium circumscissum)

Photo: Steve MatsonCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped

Frigidites circumscissa Plant Care

Eritrichium circumscissum A.Gray

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

This plant is known for its beautiful rosettes of silvery-gray, hairy leaves that almost look like miniature succulents. Native to the mountains of Central Asia, Eritrichium circumscissum is highly sought after by plant collectors for its unique appearance and ability to thrive in rocky, alpine environments.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Frigidites circumscissa?

Plant Frigidites circumscissa in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 4a–9b) 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.

Where Is the Frigidites circumscissa Native To?

Native range3 countries

What Is the Frigidites circumscissa?

Frigidites circumscissa (Eritrichium circumscissum) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Eritrichium genus. Frigidites circumscissa is native to western North America from Washington to Baja California to Colorado and. Frigidites circumscissa is also known as Eritrichium howellii, Howellia circumscissa.

Frigidites circumscissa displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Frigidites circumscissa produces small blue flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 1.5 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Frigidites circumscissa?

Water a young or newly planted Frigidites circumscissa 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 Frigidites circumscissa Need?

Frigidites circumscissa thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Frigidites circumscissa Prefer?

Eritrichium circumscissum tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Frigidites circumscissa prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Frigidites circumscissa?

Well-draining sandy soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Frigidites circumscissa to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Frigidites circumscissa?

Feed Frigidites circumscissa 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 Frigidites circumscissa?

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

Frigidites circumscissa is suited to USDA Zone 4a – 9b.

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 Frigidites circumscissa?

Frigidites circumscissa 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 Frigidites circumscissa?

Prune Frigidites circumscissa 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 Frigidites circumscissa in Winter?

Frigidites circumscissa is hardy down to USDA zone 4a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

How Do You Propagate a Frigidites circumscissa?

Frigidites circumscissa can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to eritrichium howardii plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Frigidites circumscissa Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Frigidites circumscissa, 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 Frigidites circumscissa?

Frigidites circumscissa is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. 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 Frigidites circumscissa Need?

Frigidites circumscissa grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. Frigidites circumscissa is native to western North America from Washington to Baja California to Colorado and.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 4a – 9b

Keep exploring plants

Frigidites circumscissa 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 Eritrichium genus — compare its care with other Eritrichium species on PlantoScan.

Eritrichium is part of the Boraginaceae plant family — browse all Boraginaceae genera and species.

Frigidites circumscissa thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

Related Plant Care Guides

Closely related plants with similar care requirements:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Eritrichium circumscissum A.Gray, family Boraginaceae (first published in Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 10: 58 (1874)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Frigidites circumscissa, 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: Steve Matson, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 4a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
  • 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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