Eryngium castrense Plant Care
Eryngium castrense Jeps.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Eryngium castrense is a species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae known by the common name Great Valley eryngo, or Great Valley button celery. This plant is endemic to California, where it grows in wet areas such as vernal pools and ponds in the central part of the state.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Eryngium castrense?
Water Eryngium castrense every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Eryngium castrense Native To?
What Is the Eryngium castrense?
Eryngium castrense (Eryngium castrense) belongs to the Apiaceae family within the Eryngium genus. Eryngium castrense is native to California.
Eryngium castrense displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Eryngium castrense produces small, cone-shaped blue or white flowers surrounded by spiky bracts.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Eryngium castrense?
Eryngium castrense requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Eryngium castrense Need?
Eryngium castrense thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Eryngium castrense Prefer?
Eryngium castrense grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Eryngium castrense prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Eryngium castrense?
Well-draining sandy soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Eryngium castrense to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Eryngium castrense?
Feed Eryngium castrense every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Eryngium castrense?
Repot every 2-3 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 Eryngium castrense?
Eryngium castrense can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alligator weed plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Eryngium castrense Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Eryngium castrense, 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 Eryngium castrense?
Eryngium castrense 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 Eryngium castrense Need?
Eryngium castrense grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Eryngium castrense is native to California. In cooler regions, grow Eryngium castrense as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Eryngium castrense 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 Eryngium genus — compare its care with other Eryngium species on PlantoScan.
Eryngium is part of the Apiaceae plant family — browse all Apiaceae genera and species.
Eryngium castrense thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Eryngium Species
Other Eryngium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Eryngium castrense Jeps., family Apiaceae (first published in Madroño 1: 108. 1923) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Eryngium castrense, 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 13a, 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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