Small-leaved Guinea Flower Plant Care

Hibbertia microphylla Steud.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Hibbertia microphylla is a species of flowering plant in the family Dilleniaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a shrub with weakly ascending stems, broadly egg-shaped to elliptic leaves and yellow flowers, usually with ten stamens and up to nine staminodes arranged on one side of, and leaning over the two densely hairy carpels.

Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Small-leaved Guinea Flower?

Plant Small-leaved Guinea Flower in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Small-leaved Guinea Flower Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Small-leaved Guinea Flower?

Small-leaved Guinea Flower (Hibbertia microphylla) belongs to the Dilleniaceae family within the Hibbertia genus. Small-leaved Guinea Flower is native to the south-west of Western Australia.

Small-leaved Guinea Flower displays a low spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Small-leaved Guinea Flower produces bright yellow five-petaled flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Small-leaved Guinea Flower?

Water a young or newly planted Small-leaved Guinea Flower every 7–14 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 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Small-leaved Guinea Flower Need?

Small-leaved Guinea Flower thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Small-leaved Guinea Flower Prefer?

Hibbertia microphylla tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Small-leaved Guinea Flower prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Small-leaved Guinea Flower?

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Small-leaved Guinea Flower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Small-leaved Guinea Flower?

Feed Small-leaved Guinea Flower 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 Small-leaved Guinea Flower?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Small-leaved Guinea Flower is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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 Small-leaved Guinea Flower?

Small-leaved Guinea Flower can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 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 Small-leaved Guinea Flower?

Prune Small-leaved Guinea Flower 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 Small-leaved Guinea Flower in Winter?

Small-leaved Guinea Flower is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). 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 Small-leaved Guinea Flower?

Small-leaved Guinea Flower can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to hibbertia acaulothrix plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Small-leaved Guinea Flower Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Small-leaved Guinea Flower, 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 Small-leaved Guinea Flower?

Small-leaved Guinea Flower is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, 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 Small-leaved Guinea Flower Need?

Small-leaved Guinea Flower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Small-leaved Guinea Flower is native to the south-west of Western Australia. In cooler regions, grow Small-leaved Guinea Flower as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Small-leaved Guinea Flower 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 Hibbertia genus — compare its care with other Hibbertia species on PlantoScan.

Hibbertia is part of the Dilleniaceae plant family — browse all Dilleniaceae genera and species.

Small-leaved Guinea Flower thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Hibbertia Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Hibbertia microphylla Steud., family Dilleniaceae (first published in Pl. Preiss. 1: 273 (1845)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Small-leaved Guinea Flower, 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.

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