Gratiola amphiantha Plant Care

Gratiola amphiantha D.Estes & R.L.Small

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Gratiola amphiantha is a rare species of flowering plant known by the common names little amphianthus, pool sprite and snorkelwort. It was previously the only species in the monotypic genus Amphianthus, but it was moved to genus Gratiola after genetic analysis in 2008.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials
Water

Every 3–5 days

Light

Partial to full sun

Temp

60–80°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Gratiola amphiantha?

Plant Gratiola amphiantha in partial to full sun (USDA zones 13a) and water a young shrub every 3–5 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Gratiola amphiantha Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Gratiola amphiantha?

Gratiola amphiantha (Gratiola amphiantha) belongs to the Plantaginaceae family within the Gratiola genus. Gratiola amphiantha is native to the Piedmont region of the southeastern United States, with a center of distribution in Georgia.

Gratiola amphiantha displays a low rosette, spreading groundcover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Gratiola amphiantha produces small tubular flowers in shades of white, pink, or purple.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Gratiola amphiantha?

Water a young or newly planted Gratiola amphiantha every 3–5 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 3–5 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Gratiola amphiantha Need?

Gratiola amphiantha thrives in partial to full sun.

Light Requirement

Partial to full sun

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Gratiola amphiantha Prefer?

Gratiola amphiantha tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Gratiola amphiantha prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Gratiola amphiantha?

Moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Gratiola amphiantha to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Gratiola amphiantha?

Feed Gratiola amphiantha 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 Gratiola amphiantha?

Choose a spot with partial to full sun and moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Gratiola amphiantha 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 Gratiola amphiantha?

Gratiola amphiantha can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 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 Gratiola amphiantha?

Prune Gratiola amphiantha 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 Gratiola amphiantha in Winter?

Gratiola amphiantha 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 Gratiola amphiantha?

Gratiola amphiantha can be propagated through seeds, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to shortleaf hedgehyssop plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Gratiola amphiantha Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Gratiola amphiantha, 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 Gratiola amphiantha?

Gratiola amphiantha 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 Gratiola amphiantha Need?

Gratiola amphiantha grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Gratiola amphiantha is native to the Piedmont region of the southeastern United States, with a center of distribution in Georgia. In cooler regions, grow Gratiola amphiantha as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Gratiola amphiantha 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 Gratiola genus — compare its care with other Gratiola species on PlantoScan.

Gratiola is part of the Plantaginaceae plant family — browse all Plantaginaceae genera and species.

Gratiola amphiantha thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Gratiola Species

Other Gratiola species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Gratiola amphiantha D.Estes & R.L.Small, family Plantaginaceae (first published in Syst. Bot. 33: 181 (2008)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Gratiola amphiantha, 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.

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