Pygmy Bitterroot Plant Care

Pygmy Bitterroot (Lewisia pygmaea) belongs to the Montiaceae family within the Lewisia genus. Pygmy Bitterroot is native to western North America from Alaska and Alberta to California and New Mexico. Pygmy Bitterroot is also known as Pygmy Lewisia, Alpine Lewisia.

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

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Pygmy Bitterroot 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.

Pygmy Bitterroot thrives in full sun to partial shade.

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

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

Feed Pygmy Bitterroot 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.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

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.

Pygmy Bitterroot 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.

Pygmy Bitterroot 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.

Prune Pygmy Bitterroot 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.

Pygmy Bitterroot 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.

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

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Pygmy Bitterroot 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.

Pygmy Bitterroot grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Pygmy Bitterroot is native to western North America from Alaska and Alberta to California and New Mexico. In cooler regions, grow Pygmy Bitterroot as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.