Photo: rempsonCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Wax Gentian Plant Care
Gentianella cerina (Hook.f.) T.N.Ho & S.W.Liu
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's vibrant royal blue flowers are its most distinctive visual feature, contrasting beautifully against its glossy green lance-shaped leaves. Originally from the alpine regions of Europe and Asia, Gentianella cerina is sought after by plant collectors for its rarity and unique coloring, making it a prized addition to any botanical collection.
Every 7–14 days
Partial shade to full sun
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Wax Gentian?
Water Wax Gentian every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial shade to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Wax Gentian Native To?
What Is the Wax Gentian?
Wax Gentian (Gentianella cerina) belongs to the Gentianaceae family within the Gentianella genus. Wax Gentian is native to the Auckland Islands of New Zealand.
Wax Gentian displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Wax Gentian produces showy, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of blue, purple, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Wax Gentian?
Gentianella cerina 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 Wax Gentian Need?
Wax Gentian thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Wax Gentian Prefer?
Gentianella cerina grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Wax Gentian prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Wax Gentian?
Well-draining, slightly acidic soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Wax Gentian to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Wax Gentian?
Feed Wax Gentian every month 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 month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Wax Gentian?
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 Wax Gentian?
Wax Gentian can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to daisy-leaved gentian plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Wax Gentian Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Wax Gentian, 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 Wax Gentian?
Wax Gentian is susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails. 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.
Keep exploring plants
Wax Gentian 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 Gentianella genus — compare its care with other Gentianella species on PlantoScan.
Gentianella is part of the Gentianaceae plant family — browse all Gentianaceae genera and species.
Wax Gentian thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Gentianella Species
Other Gentianella species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Gentianella cerina (Hook.f.) T.N.Ho & S.W.Liu, family Gentianaceae (first published in Bull. Nat. Hist. Mus. (London), Bot. 23: 62 (1993)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Wax Gentian, 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: rempson, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- 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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