Jepsonia malvifolia Plant Care
Jepsonia malvifolia Small
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Jepsonia malvifolia is an uncommon species of flowering plant in the saxifrage family known by the common name island jepsonia or island button-saxifrage. It is found only on the Channel Islands of California and Guadalupe Island off Baja California.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
60–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Jepsonia malvifolia?
Plant Jepsonia malvifolia in bright indirect light (USDA zones 13a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Jepsonia malvifolia?
Jepsonia malvifolia (Jepsonia malvifolia) belongs to the Saxifragaceae family within the Jepsonia genus.
Jepsonia malvifolia displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Jepsonia malvifolia produces small, delicate white flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Jepsonia malvifolia?
Water a young or newly planted Jepsonia malvifolia 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 Jepsonia malvifolia Need?
Jepsonia malvifolia thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Jepsonia malvifolia in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Jepsonia malvifolia Prefer?
Jepsonia malvifolia tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F. Jepsonia malvifolia prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Jepsonia malvifolia?
Well-draining, humus-rich soil with added perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Jepsonia malvifolia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Jepsonia malvifolia?
Feed Jepsonia malvifolia 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 Jepsonia malvifolia?
Choose a spot with bright indirect light and well-draining, humus-rich soil with added perlite for improved drainage. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Jepsonia malvifolia is suited to USDA Zone 13a.
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 Jepsonia malvifolia?
Jepsonia malvifolia 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 Jepsonia malvifolia?
Prune Jepsonia malvifolia 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 Jepsonia malvifolia in Winter?
Jepsonia malvifolia is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). 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 Jepsonia malvifolia?
Jepsonia malvifolia can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to jepsonia heterandra plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Jepsonia malvifolia Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Jepsonia malvifolia, 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 Jepsonia malvifolia?
Jepsonia malvifolia is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. 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 Jepsonia malvifolia Need?
Jepsonia malvifolia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Jepsonia malvifolia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Jepsonia malvifolia 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 Jepsonia genus — compare its care with other Jepsonia species on PlantoScan.
Jepsonia is part of the Saxifragaceae plant family — browse all Saxifragaceae genera and species.
Jepsonia malvifolia 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: Jepsonia malvifolia Small, family Saxifragaceae (first published in Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 23: 19 (1896)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Jepsonia malvifolia, 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 13a, 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.
