Welsh Eyebright Plant Care
Euphrasia cambrica Pugsley
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Euphrasia cambrica, commonly called the Welsh eyebright, is a plant from the genus Euphrasia, in the family Orobanchaceae. It is endemic to North Wales where it occurs on mountains in the vice-counties of Caernarfonshire and Merionethshire.
Every 7–10 days
Partial shade to full sun
60–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Welsh Eyebright?
Plant Welsh Eyebright in partial shade to full sun (USDA zones 13a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Welsh Eyebright Native To?
What Is the Welsh Eyebright?
Welsh Eyebright (Euphrasia cambrica) belongs to the Orobanchaceae family within the Euphrasia genus. Welsh Eyebright is native to North Wales.
Welsh Eyebright displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Welsh Eyebright produces small, delicate flowers in shades of purple, white, or yellow.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Welsh Eyebright?
Water a young or newly planted Welsh Eyebright 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 Welsh Eyebright Need?
Welsh Eyebright thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Welsh Eyebright Prefer?
Euphrasia cambrica tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F. Welsh Eyebright prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Welsh Eyebright?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Welsh Eyebright to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Welsh Eyebright?
Feed Welsh Eyebright 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 Welsh Eyebright?
Choose a spot with partial shade to full sun and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Welsh Eyebright is suited to USDA Zone 13a.
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 Welsh Eyebright?
Welsh Eyebright can spread to about 1 ft (0.2 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.2 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 Welsh Eyebright?
Prune Welsh Eyebright 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 Welsh Eyebright in Winter?
Welsh Eyebright is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). 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 Welsh Eyebright?
Welsh Eyebright can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to wood eyebright plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Welsh Eyebright Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Welsh Eyebright, 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 Welsh Eyebright?
Welsh Eyebright 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Welsh Eyebright Need?
Welsh Eyebright grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Welsh Eyebright is native to North Wales. In cooler regions, grow Welsh Eyebright as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Welsh Eyebright 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 Euphrasia genus — compare its care with other Euphrasia species on PlantoScan.
Euphrasia is part of the Orobanchaceae plant family — browse all Orobanchaceae genera and species.
Welsh Eyebright thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Euphrasia Species
Other Euphrasia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Euphrasia cambrica Pugsley, family Orobanchaceae (first published in J. Bot. 67: 224 (1929)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Welsh Eyebright, 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.
