Photo: frangpCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
St. Andrews Cross Plant Care
Hypericum ericoides L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its tiny, needle-like leaves densely packed along woody stems, this plant originates from South Africa. Plant collectors are drawn to Hypericum ericoides for its unique appearance and beautiful clusters of bright yellow flowers that bloom in the summer months.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for St. Andrews Cross?
Plant St. Andrews Cross in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 8a–10b) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the St. Andrews Cross?
St. Andrews Cross (Hypericum ericoides) belongs to the Hypericaceae family within the Hypericum genus. St. Andrews Cross is native to eastern and southeastern Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia. St. Andrews Cross is also known as Heath St. Johns Wort.
St. Andrews Cross displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. St. Andrews Cross produces bright yellow, star-shaped flowers with prominent stamens.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a St. Andrews Cross?
Water a young or newly planted St. Andrews Cross 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 St. Andrews Cross Need?
St. Andrews Cross thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the St. Andrews Cross Prefer?
Hypericum ericoides tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. St. Andrews Cross prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a St. Andrews Cross?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for St. Andrews Cross to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a St. Andrews Cross?
Feed St. Andrews Cross 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 St. Andrews Cross?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
St. Andrews Cross is suited to USDA Zone 8a – 10b.
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 St. Andrews Cross?
St. Andrews Cross can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 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 St. Andrews Cross?
Prune St. Andrews Cross 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 St. Andrews Cross in Winter?
St. Andrews Cross is hardy down to USDA zone 8a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.
Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.
Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.
How Do You Propagate a St. Andrews Cross?
St. Andrews Cross can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to st johns wort plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the St. Andrews Cross Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list St. Andrews Cross, 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 St. Andrews Cross?
St. Andrews Cross 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 St. Andrews Cross Need?
St. Andrews Cross grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. St. Andrews Cross is native to eastern and southeastern Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
St. Andrews Cross 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 Hypericum genus — compare its care with other Hypericum species on PlantoScan.
Hypericum is part of the Hypericaceae plant family — browse all Hypericaceae genera and species.
St. Andrews Cross 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: Hypericum ericoides L., family Hypericaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 785 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list St. Andrews Cross, 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: frangp, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 10b, 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.
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