Lace Flower Plant Care
Leptosiphon bicolor Nutt.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Leptosiphon bicolor, known as true babystars, is a low annual flowering plant related to Phlox with clumps of needle-like leaves. Populations often contain both white-flowered and pink-flowered plants.
Every 3–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Lace Flower?
Plant Lace Flower in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 3–7 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 Lace Flower Native To?
What Is the Lace Flower?
Lace Flower (Leptosiphon bicolor) belongs to the Polemoniaceae family within the Leptosiphon genus. Lace Flower is native to the west coast of North America from northern Baja California to southern British Columbia. Lace Flower is also known as California Linanthus.
Lace Flower displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Lace Flower produces small, colorful funnel-shaped flowers in various shades.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Lace Flower?
Water a young or newly planted Lace Flower every 3–7 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 3–7 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Lace Flower Need?
Lace Flower thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Lace Flower Prefer?
Leptosiphon bicolor tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Lace Flower prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Lace Flower?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Lace Flower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Lace Flower?
Feed Lace Flower 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 Lace Flower?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Lace Flower 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 Lace Flower?
Lace Flower 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 Lace Flower?
Prune Lace Flower 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 Lace Flower in Winter?
Lace Flower 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 Lace Flower?
Lace Flower can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to needle-leaf linanthus plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Lace Flower Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Lace Flower, 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 Lace Flower?
Lace Flower 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 Lace Flower Need?
Lace Flower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Lace Flower is native to the west coast of North America from northern Baja California to southern British Columbia. In cooler regions, grow Lace Flower as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Lace Flower 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 Leptosiphon genus — compare its care with other Leptosiphon species on PlantoScan.
Leptosiphon is part of the Polemoniaceae plant family — browse all Polemoniaceae genera and species.
Lace Flower thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Leptosiphon Species
Other Leptosiphon species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Leptosiphon bicolor Nutt., family Polemoniaceae (first published in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 4: 11. 1848) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Lace Flower, 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.
