Lewisia cantelovii Plant Care

Lewisia cantelovii J.T.Howell

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Lewisia cantelovii is an uncommon species of flowering plant in the family Montiaceae known by the common name Cantelow's lewisia. It is endemic to California, where it is known from the northeastern mountain ranges from the Klamath Mountains to the northern Sierra Nevada.

Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Lewisia cantelovii?

Plant Lewisia cantelovii in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–14 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 Lewisia cantelovii Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Lewisia cantelovii?

Lewisia cantelovii (Lewisia cantelovii) belongs to the Montiaceae family within the Lewisia genus. Lewisia cantelovii is native to California.

Lewisia cantelovii displays a low rosette, clumping habit growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Lewisia cantelovii produces showy, star-shaped flowers in various colors like pink, red, orange, or yellow.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Lewisia cantelovii?

Water a young or newly planted Lewisia cantelovii every 7–14 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 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Lewisia cantelovii Need?

Lewisia cantelovii thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Lewisia cantelovii Prefer?

Lewisia cantelovii tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Lewisia cantelovii prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Lewisia cantelovii?

Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter like peat moss or compost. Good drainage is essential for Lewisia cantelovii to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Lewisia cantelovii?

Feed Lewisia cantelovii 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 Lewisia cantelovii?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter like peat moss or compost. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Lewisia cantelovii 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 Lewisia cantelovii?

Lewisia cantelovii 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 Lewisia cantelovii?

Prune Lewisia cantelovii 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 Lewisia cantelovii in Winter?

Lewisia cantelovii 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 Lewisia cantelovii?

Lewisia cantelovii can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to columbian lewisia plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Lewisia cantelovii Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Lewisia cantelovii, 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 Lewisia cantelovii?

Lewisia cantelovii is susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails. 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 Lewisia cantelovii Need?

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

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Lewisia cantelovii 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 Lewisia genus — compare its care with other Lewisia species on PlantoScan.

Lewisia is part of the Montiaceae plant family — browse all Montiaceae genera and species.

Lewisia cantelovii thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Lewisia Species

Other Lewisia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Lewisia cantelovii J.T.Howell, family Montiaceae (first published in Leafl. W. Bot. 3: 139 (1942)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Lewisia cantelovii, 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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