Photo: no rights reservedCC0 1.0via iNaturalist
Small-flowered Fumitory Plant Care
Fumaria parviflora Lam.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its delicate, fern-like leaves and tiny pink flowers, this plant originates from the Mediterranean region. Plant collectors are drawn to Fumaria parviflora for its unique appearance and its ability to attract beneficial insects to the garden.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Small-flowered Fumitory?
Water Small-flowered Fumitory every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Small-flowered Fumitory Native To?
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Benin
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Finland
- France
- Gabon
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greece
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Kenya
- Latvia
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Malta
- Mauritania
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Republic of the Congo
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Sierra Leone
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Spain
- Sudan
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- The Netherlands
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Small-flowered Fumitory?
Small-flowered Fumitory (Fumaria parviflora) belongs to the Papaveraceae family within the Fumaria genus. Small-flowered Fumitory is native to Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Small-flowered Fumitory displays a low-growing, spreading herb growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Small-flowered Fumitory produces small tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Small-flowered Fumitory?
Fumaria parviflora requires watering every 3–5 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 3–5 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Small-flowered Fumitory Need?
Small-flowered Fumitory thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Small-flowered Fumitory Prefer?
Fumaria parviflora grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Small-flowered Fumitory prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Small-flowered Fumitory?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Small-flowered Fumitory to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Small-flowered Fumitory?
Feed Small-flowered Fumitory 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 Small-flowered Fumitory?
Repot every 1-2 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 Small-flowered Fumitory?
Small-flowered Fumitory can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to white ramping fumitory plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Small-flowered Fumitory Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Small-flowered Fumitory, 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 Small-flowered Fumitory?
Small-flowered Fumitory 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 Small-flowered Fumitory Need?
Small-flowered Fumitory grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Small-flowered Fumitory is native to Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Small-flowered Fumitory 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 Fumaria genus — compare its care with other Fumaria species on PlantoScan.
Fumaria is part of the Papaveraceae plant family — browse all Papaveraceae genera and species.
Small-flowered Fumitory thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Fumaria Species
Other Fumaria species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Fumaria parviflora Lam., family Papaveraceae (first published in Encycl. 2: 567 (1788)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Small-flowered Fumitory, 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: Public domain, CC0 1.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 11b, 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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