Cooper's Rubberweed (Hymenoxys cooperi)

Photo: sarefoCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped

Cooper's Rubberweed Plant Care

Hymenoxys cooperi Cockerell

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Hymenoxys cooperi is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common name Cooper's rubberweed. It is native to the southwestern United States and Great Basin, where it grows in rocky soils in arid regions from southern California to New Mexico, north as far as Idaho and Oregon.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–80°F

Humidity

30–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Cooper's Rubberweed?

Plant Cooper's Rubberweed 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 Cooper's Rubberweed Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Cooper's Rubberweed?

Cooper's Rubberweed (Hymenoxys cooperi) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Hymenoxys genus. Cooper's Rubberweed is native to the southwestern United States and Great Basin. Cooper's Rubberweed is also known as Hymenoxys cooperi.

Cooper's Rubberweed displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Cooper's Rubberweed produces daisy-like yellow flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Cooper's Rubberweed?

Water a young or newly planted Cooper's Rubberweed 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 Cooper's Rubberweed Need?

Cooper's Rubberweed thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Cooper's Rubberweed Prefer?

Hymenoxys cooperi tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Cooper's Rubberweed prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

30–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Cooper's Rubberweed?

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Cooper's Rubberweed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Cooper's Rubberweed?

Feed Cooper's Rubberweed 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 Cooper's Rubberweed?

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

Cooper's Rubberweed 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 Cooper's Rubberweed?

Cooper's Rubberweed 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 Cooper's Rubberweed?

Prune Cooper's Rubberweed 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 Cooper's Rubberweed in Winter?

Cooper's Rubberweed 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 Cooper's Rubberweed?

Cooper's Rubberweed can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to bigelow's rubberweed plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Cooper's Rubberweed Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Cooper's Rubberweed, 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 Cooper's Rubberweed?

Cooper's Rubberweed 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 Cooper's Rubberweed Need?

Cooper's Rubberweed grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Cooper's Rubberweed is native to the southwestern United States and Great Basin. In cooler regions, grow Cooper's Rubberweed as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Cooper's Rubberweed 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 Hymenoxys genus — compare its care with other Hymenoxys species on PlantoScan.

Hymenoxys is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.

Cooper's Rubberweed thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Hymenoxys Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Hymenoxys cooperi Cockerell, family Asteraceae (first published in Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 31: 494 (1904)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Cooper's Rubberweed, 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: sarefo, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
  • 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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