Bald-headed Cudweed Plant Care

Bald-headed Cudweed (Gamochaeta calviceps) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Gamochaeta genus. Bald-headed Cudweed is native to South America and to the southeastern United States (from Texas and Oklahoma to Virginia. Bald-headed Cudweed is also known as Gnaphalium calviceps.

Bald-headed Cudweed displays a low spreading groundcover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Bald-headed Cudweed produces small white or yellow flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Bald-headed Cudweed 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.

Bald-headed Cudweed thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Gamochaeta calviceps tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Bald-headed Cudweed prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Bald-headed Cudweed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Bald-headed Cudweed 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 soil mix with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Bald-headed Cudweed 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.

Bald-headed Cudweed can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 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 Bald-headed Cudweed 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.

Bald-headed Cudweed 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.

Bald-headed Cudweed can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to american cudweed plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Bald-headed Cudweed 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.

Bald-headed Cudweed grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Bald-headed Cudweed is native to South America and to the southeastern United States (from Texas and Oklahoma to Virginia. In cooler regions, grow Bald-headed Cudweed as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.