Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus Plant Care

Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus Wilken & R.A.Fletcher

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus is a rare species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name Holy Ghost ipomopsis. It is endemic to New Mexico in the United States, where it is known from only one canyon in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus?

Plant Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus 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 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus?

Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus (Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus) belongs to the Polemoniaceae family within the Ipomopsis genus. Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus is native to New Mexico in the United States.

Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus displays an upright, branching growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus produces tubular flowers in shades of red, pink, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus?

Water a young or newly planted Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus 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 Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus Need?

Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus Prefer?

Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus?

Well-draining sandy soil with some organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus?

Feed Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus 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 Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus?

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

Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus 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 Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus?

Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 2 ft (1 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 Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus?

Prune Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus 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 Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus in Winter?

Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus 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 Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus?

Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to scarlet gilia plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus, 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 Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus?

Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus is susceptible to aphids, 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 Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus Need?

Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus is native to New Mexico in the United States. In cooler regions, grow Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus 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 Ipomopsis genus — compare its care with other Ipomopsis species on PlantoScan.

Ipomopsis is part of the Polemoniaceae plant family — browse all Polemoniaceae genera and species.

Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Ipomopsis Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus Wilken & R.A.Fletcher, family Polemoniaceae (first published in Brittonia 40: 48 (1988)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus, 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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