Hessea mathewsii Plant Care
Hessea mathewsii W.F.Barker
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Hessea mathewsii is a perennial flowering plant and geophyte that belongs to the genus Hessea and is part of the Saldanha strandveld. The species is endemic to the Western Cape and has an area of occurrence of only 30 km².
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Hessea mathewsii?
Water Hessea mathewsii every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Hessea mathewsii Native To?
What Is the Hessea mathewsii?
Hessea mathewsii (Hessea mathewsii) belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family within the Hessea genus. Hessea mathewsii is native to the Western Cape and has an area of occurrence of only 30 km².
Hessea mathewsii displays a clumping perennial herb growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Hessea mathewsii produces small star-shaped flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Hessea mathewsii?
Hessea mathewsii requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Hessea mathewsii Need?
Hessea mathewsii thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Hessea mathewsii Prefer?
Hessea mathewsii grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Hessea mathewsii prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hessea mathewsii?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Hessea mathewsii to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Hessea mathewsii?
Feed Hessea mathewsii 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 Hessea mathewsii?
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 Hessea mathewsii?
Hessea mathewsii can be propagated through division of offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to hessea breviflora plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Hessea mathewsii Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Hessea mathewsii, 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 Hessea mathewsii?
Hessea mathewsii is susceptible to aphids, thrips, 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 Hessea mathewsii Need?
Hessea mathewsii grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Hessea mathewsii is native to the Western Cape and has an area of occurrence of only 30 km². In cooler regions, grow Hessea mathewsii as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Hessea mathewsii 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 Hessea genus — compare its care with other Hessea species on PlantoScan.
Hessea is part of the Amaryllidaceae plant family — browse all Amaryllidaceae genera and species.
Hessea mathewsii thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Hessea Species
Other Hessea species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Hessea mathewsii W.F.Barker, family Amaryllidaceae (first published in Fl. Pl. South Africa 11: t. 404 (1931)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Hessea mathewsii, 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 12a, 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Hessea mathewsii Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species