Johnstonella micromeres Plant Care
Johnstonella micromeres (A.Gray) Hasenstab & M.G.Simpson
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Johnstonella micromeres is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae known by the common name pygmyflower cryptantha.
Every 7–10 days
Partial to full shade
60–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Johnstonella micromeres?
Plant Johnstonella micromeres in partial to full shade (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 Johnstonella micromeres?
Johnstonella micromeres (Johnstonella micromeres) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Johnstonella genus.
Johnstonella micromeres displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Johnstonella micromeres produces small bell-shaped flowers in shades of blue, pink, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Johnstonella micromeres?
Water a young or newly planted Johnstonella micromeres 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 Johnstonella micromeres Need?
Johnstonella micromeres thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Johnstonella micromeres in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial to full shade
100–500 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Johnstonella micromeres Prefer?
Johnstonella micromeres tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F. Johnstonella micromeres prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Johnstonella micromeres?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Johnstonella micromeres to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Johnstonella micromeres?
Feed Johnstonella micromeres 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 Johnstonella micromeres?
Choose a spot with partial to full shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Johnstonella micromeres 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 Johnstonella micromeres?
Johnstonella micromeres 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 Johnstonella micromeres?
Prune Johnstonella micromeres 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 Johnstonella micromeres in Winter?
Johnstonella micromeres 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 Johnstonella micromeres?
Johnstonella micromeres can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to johnstonella angustifolia plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Johnstonella micromeres Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Johnstonella micromeres, 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 Johnstonella micromeres?
Johnstonella micromeres is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, mealybugs. 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 Johnstonella micromeres Need?
Johnstonella micromeres grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Johnstonella micromeres as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Johnstonella micromeres 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 Johnstonella genus — compare its care with other Johnstonella species on PlantoScan.
Johnstonella is part of the Boraginaceae plant family — browse all Boraginaceae genera and species.
Johnstonella micromeres copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Johnstonella micromeres (A.Gray) Hasenstab & M.G.Simpson, family Boraginaceae (first published in Syst. Bot. 37: 754 (2012)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Johnstonella micromeres, 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.
