Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, KenraizCC BY-SA 4.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
California Lessingia Plant Care
Lessingia glandulifera A.Gray
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lessingia glandulifera is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common name valley lessingia. It is native to California and Baja California, where it grows in several types of habitat, from forest and desert to the coastline. This is an annual herb varying in maximum size from under 10 to nearly 80 centimeters in height, growing erect to decumbent. It is hairless to very hairy and glandular. The leaves are widely lance-shaped and toothed, the lowest approaching 11 centimeters in maximum length. The upper leaves are often studded with knobby glands. The flower heads appear singly at the tips of the stem branches. Each head is lined with phyllaries covered in large glands and sometimes many hairs. The head is discoid, containing no ray florets but many funnel-shaped disc florets with lobes that resemble ray florets. The disc florets are yellow with brown throats. The fruit is an achene with a whitish pappus.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for California Lessingia?
Water California Lessingia every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the California Lessingia Native To?
What Is the California Lessingia?
California Lessingia (Lessingia glandulifera) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Lessingia genus. California Lessingia is native to California and Baja California. California Lessingia is also known as Lessingia germanorum, Lessingia lemmonii.
California Lessingia displays a low mounding perennial growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. California Lessingia produces small daisy-like flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a California Lessingia?
Lessingia glandulifera requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the California Lessingia Need?
California Lessingia thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the California Lessingia Prefer?
Lessingia glandulifera grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. California Lessingia prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a California Lessingia?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for California Lessingia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a California Lessingia?
Feed California Lessingia every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a California Lessingia?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a California Lessingia?
California Lessingia can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps.
Is the California Lessingia Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list California Lessingia, 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 California Lessingia?
California Lessingia is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, powdery mildew. 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 California Lessingia Need?
California Lessingia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. California Lessingia is native to California and Baja California. In cooler regions, grow California Lessingia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
California Lessingia 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 Lessingia genus — compare its care with other Lessingia species on PlantoScan.
Lessingia is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
California Lessingia 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: Lessingia glandulifera A.Gray, family Asteraceae (first published in Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts xvii. (1881-82) 207.) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list California Lessingia, 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.
- Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- 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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