Mount Cook Lily Plant Care

Leucogenes grandiceps Beauverd

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Leucogenes grandiceps, commonly known as the South Island edelweiss, is a species of plant in the family Asteraceae. It is native to the South and Stewart Islands of New Zealand.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Mount Cook Lily?

Water Mount Cook Lily 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 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Mount Cook Lily Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Mount Cook Lily?

Mount Cook Lily (Leucogenes grandiceps) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Leucogenes genus. Mount Cook Lily is native to the South and Stewart Islands of New Zealand.

Mount Cook Lily displays a clumping perennial herb growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Mount Cook Lily produces small daisy-like flowers in white, pink, or purple.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Mount Cook Lily?

Leucogenes grandiceps 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 Mount Cook Lily Need?

Mount Cook Lily thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Mount Cook Lily Prefer?

Leucogenes grandiceps grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Mount Cook Lily prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Mount Cook Lily?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Mount Cook Lily?

Feed Mount Cook Lily 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 Mount Cook Lily?

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 Mount Cook Lily?

Mount Cook Lily can be propagated through seeds, division of rhizomes.

Is the Mount Cook Lily Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Mount Cook Lily, 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 Mount Cook Lily?

Mount Cook Lily is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. 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 Mount Cook Lily Need?

Mount Cook Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Mount Cook Lily is native to the South and Stewart Islands of New Zealand. In cooler regions, grow Mount Cook Lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Mount Cook Lily 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 Leucogenes genus — compare its care with other Leucogenes species on PlantoScan.

Leucogenes is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.

Mount Cook Lily 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: Leucogenes grandiceps Beauverd, family Asteraceae (first published in Bull. Soc. Bot. Genève , sér. 2, 2: 243 (1910)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Mount Cook Lily, 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.

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