Macdougal's Globe Plant Care
Ibervillea macdougalii (Rose) Lira, Dávila & Legaspi
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Ibervillea macdougalii is a species of flowering plant of the Cucurbitaceae or gourd family. Also called the Tumamoc globeberry, it is native to the Sonoran Desert, and is found in Arizona, Baja California Norte, Sonora, and Zacatecas.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–85°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Macdougal's Globe?
Water Macdougal's Globe every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
What Is the Macdougal's Globe?
Macdougal's Globe (Ibervillea macdougalii) belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family within the Ibervillea genus. Macdougal's Globe is native to the Sonoran Desert. Macdougal's Globe is also known as Macdougal's Root, Macdougal's Wild Potato.
Macdougal's Globe displays a vining, climbing growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Macdougal's Globe produces small yellow flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Macdougal's Globe?
Ibervillea macdougalii requires watering every 7–14 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 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Macdougal's Globe Need?
Macdougal's Globe thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Macdougal's Globe Prefer?
Ibervillea macdougalii grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Macdougal's Globe prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Macdougal's Globe?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Macdougal's Globe to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Macdougal's Globe?
Feed Macdougal's Globe every 4 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 4 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 Macdougal's Globe?
Repot annually in 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 Macdougal's Globe?
Macdougal's Globe can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to sonoran globe gourd plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Macdougal's Globe Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Macdougal's Globe, 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 Macdougal's Globe?
Macdougal's Globe 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 Macdougal's Globe Need?
Macdougal's Globe grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Macdougal's Globe is native to the Sonoran Desert. In cooler regions, grow Macdougal's Globe as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Macdougal's Globe 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 Ibervillea genus — compare its care with other Ibervillea species on PlantoScan.
Ibervillea is part of the Cucurbitaceae plant family — browse all Cucurbitaceae genera and species.
Macdougal's Globe 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: Ibervillea macdougalii (Rose) Lira, Dávila & Legaspi, family Cucurbitaceae (first published in Phytotaxa 201: 204 (2015)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Macdougal's Globe, 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 13b, 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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