
Photo: Franz XaverCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Hedypnois annua Plant Care
Hyoseris mauritanica Pers.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Hedypnois rhagadioloides, the Cretanweed or scaly hawkbit, is a species of plant in the tribe Cichorieae within the family Asteraceae. It is native to the Mediterranean Region and neighboring areas from Canary Islands to Iran, and naturalized in Australia and in parts of the Americas (southwestern United States, Baja California in Mexico, central Chile).
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Hedypnois annua?
Plant Hedypnois annua in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Hedypnois annua Native To?
- Albania
- Algeria
- Argentina
- Australia
- Belize
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- France
- French Guiana
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Honduras
- Iran
- Israel
- Italy
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Malta
- Mexico
- Morocco
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Portugal
- Spain
- Suriname
- Syria
- Tunisia
- Türkiye
- United States
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
What Is the Hedypnois annua?
Hedypnois annua (Hyoseris mauritanica) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Hyoseris genus. Hedypnois annua is native to the Mediterranean Region and neighboring areas from Canary Islands to Iran, and naturalized in Australia and in parts of the Americas. Hedypnois annua is also known as Hedypnois coronopifolia, Hedypnois crepidiformis, Hedypnois cretica.
Hedypnois annua displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Hedypnois annua produces small yellow daisy-like flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Hedypnois annua?
Water a young or newly planted Hedypnois annua 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 Hedypnois annua Need?
Hedypnois annua thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Hedypnois annua Prefer?
Hyoseris mauritanica tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Hedypnois annua prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hedypnois annua?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Hedypnois annua to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Hedypnois annua?
Feed Hedypnois annua 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 Hedypnois annua?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil mix with organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Hedypnois annua 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 Hedypnois annua?
Hedypnois annua 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 Hedypnois annua?
Prune Hedypnois annua 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 Hedypnois annua in Winter?
Hedypnois annua 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 Hedypnois annua?
Hedypnois annua can be propagated through seeds.
Is the Hedypnois annua Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Hedypnois annua, 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 Hedypnois annua?
Hedypnois annua is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, 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 Hedypnois annua Need?
Hedypnois annua grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Hedypnois annua is native to the Mediterranean Region and neighboring areas from Canary Islands to Iran, and naturalized in Australia and in parts of the Americas. In cooler regions, grow Hedypnois annua as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Hedypnois annua 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 Hyoseris genus (family Asteraceae) — search all Hyoseris species in the plant lookup.
Hedypnois annua thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Hyoseris mauritanica Pers., family Asteraceae (first published in Syn. Pl. 2(2): 369 (1807)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Hedypnois annua, 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: Franz Xaver, 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.
