Rough guichenotia Plant Care
Guichenotia tuberculata C.F.Wilkins
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its unique tuberculate leaves covered in small bumps, this plant hails from the sandy coastal plains of Western Australia. Plant collectors are drawn to Guichenotia tuberculata for its striking foliage and ability to thrive in hot, dry conditions.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–85°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Rough guichenotia?
Plant Rough guichenotia in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 9b–11a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Rough guichenotia Native To?
What Is the Rough guichenotia?
Rough guichenotia (Guichenotia tuberculata) belongs to the Malvaceae family within the Guichenotia genus. Rough guichenotia is native to the south-west of Western Australia. Rough guichenotia is also known as rough starflower.
Rough guichenotia displays a low, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Rough guichenotia produces showy tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Rough guichenotia?
Water a young or newly planted Rough guichenotia 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.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Rough guichenotia Need?
Rough guichenotia thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Rough guichenotia Prefer?
Guichenotia tuberculata tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Rough guichenotia prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Rough guichenotia?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Rough guichenotia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Rough guichenotia?
Feed Rough guichenotia 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 Rough guichenotia?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Rough guichenotia is suited to USDA Zone 9b – 11a.
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 Rough guichenotia?
Rough guichenotia can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 2 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 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 Rough guichenotia?
Prune Rough guichenotia 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 Rough guichenotia in Winter?
Rough guichenotia is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). 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 Rough guichenotia?
Rough guichenotia can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to finger flower plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Rough guichenotia Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Rough guichenotia, 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 Rough guichenotia?
Rough guichenotia 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 Rough guichenotia Need?
Rough guichenotia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 11a. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. Rough guichenotia is native to the south-west of Western Australia. In cooler regions, grow Rough guichenotia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 9b – 11a
Keep exploring plants
Rough guichenotia 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 Guichenotia genus — compare its care with other Guichenotia species on PlantoScan.
Guichenotia is part of the Malvaceae plant family — browse all Malvaceae genera and species.
Rough guichenotia thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Guichenotia Species
Other Guichenotia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Guichenotia tuberculata C.F.Wilkins, family Malvaceae (first published in Austral. Syst. Bot. 16: 356 (2003)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Rough guichenotia, 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 9b – 11a, 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.
