Lepidium aschersonii Plant Care

Lepidium aschersonii Thell.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Lepidium aschersonii, also known as spiny peppercress, is a species of plant in the cabbage family. It is native to mainland southern Australia.

🌱Herbs
Water

Every 4–7 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Lepidium aschersonii?

Plant Lepidium aschersonii in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 4–7 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Lepidium aschersonii Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Lepidium aschersonii?

Lepidium aschersonii (Lepidium aschersonii) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Lepidium genus. Lepidium aschersonii is native to mainland southern Australia.

Lepidium aschersonii displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Lepidium aschersonii produces small white or pink clustered blooms.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Lepidium aschersonii?

Water a young or newly planted Lepidium aschersonii every 4–7 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 4–7 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Lepidium aschersonii Need?

Lepidium aschersonii thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Lepidium aschersonii Prefer?

Lepidium aschersonii tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Lepidium aschersonii prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Lepidium aschersonii?

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Lepidium aschersonii to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Lepidium aschersonii?

Feed Lepidium aschersonii 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 Lepidium aschersonii?

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

Lepidium aschersonii 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 Lepidium aschersonii?

Lepidium aschersonii 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 Lepidium aschersonii?

Prune Lepidium aschersonii 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 Lepidium aschersonii in Winter?

Lepidium aschersonii 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 Lepidium aschersonii?

Lepidium aschersonii can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps.

Is the Lepidium aschersonii Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Lepidium aschersonii, 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 Lepidium aschersonii?

Lepidium aschersonii is susceptible to aphids, flea beetles, cabbage worms. 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 Lepidium aschersonii Need?

Lepidium aschersonii grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Lepidium aschersonii is native to mainland southern Australia. In cooler regions, grow Lepidium aschersonii as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Lepidium aschersonii 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 Lepidium genus — compare its care with other Lepidium species on PlantoScan.

Lepidium is part of the Brassicaceae plant family — browse all Brassicaceae genera and species.

Lepidium aschersonii 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: Lepidium aschersonii Thell., family Brassicaceae (first published in Neue Denkschr. Schweiz. Naturf. Ges. 41(Abh. 1): 310 (1906)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Lepidium aschersonii, 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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