Photo: Hugo InnesCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Hairy Carpetweed Plant Care
Glinus lotoides L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With small, green, oval-shaped leaves spaced closely along its stems, this plant originates from Africa and India. Its dense, low-growing habit and unique leaf arrangement make it a sought-after addition for plant collectors looking to add a touch of exotic flair to their collections.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–85°F
30–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Hairy Carpetweed?
Water Hairy Carpetweed 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 50–85°F (10–29°C) and 30–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Hairy Carpetweed Native To?
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Republic of the Congo
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Hairy Carpetweed?
Hairy Carpetweed (Glinus lotoides) belongs to the Molluginaceae family within the Glinus genus. Hairy Carpetweed is native to Eurasia and Africa and. Hairy Carpetweed is also known as Glandular Carpetweed, Desert Horse Purslane.
Hairy Carpetweed displays a low-growing, spreading succulent growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Hairy Carpetweed produces small, colorful daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Hairy Carpetweed?
Glinus lotoides 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 Hairy Carpetweed Need?
Hairy Carpetweed thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Hairy Carpetweed Prefer?
Glinus lotoides grows best at temperatures of 50–85°F. Hairy Carpetweed prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
30–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hairy Carpetweed?
Sandy, well-draining soil mix with added perlite and gravel for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Hairy Carpetweed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Hairy Carpetweed?
Feed Hairy Carpetweed 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 Hairy Carpetweed?
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 Hairy Carpetweed?
Hairy Carpetweed can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to glinus radiatus plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Hairy Carpetweed Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Hairy Carpetweed, 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 Hairy Carpetweed?
Hairy Carpetweed 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Hairy Carpetweed Need?
Hairy Carpetweed grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9a. Hairy Carpetweed is native to Eurasia and Africa and. In cooler regions, grow Hairy Carpetweed as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 9a – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Hairy Carpetweed 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 Glinus genus — compare its care with other Glinus species on PlantoScan.
Glinus is part of the Molluginaceae plant family — browse all Molluginaceae genera and species.
Hairy Carpetweed thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Glinus lotoides L., family Molluginaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 463 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Hairy Carpetweed, 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: Hugo Innes, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 9a – 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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