California False Gromwell Plant Care
Lithospermum californicum A.Gray
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lithospermum californicum is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common name California stoneseed. It is native to southern Oregon and northern California, where it can be found in many types of mountain habitat, such as forest, woodland, and chaparral, sometimes on serpentine soils.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for California False Gromwell?
California False Gromwell grows best in full sun to partial shade.
Where Is the California False Gromwell Native To?
What Is the California False Gromwell?
California False Gromwell (Lithospermum californicum) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Lithospermum genus. California False Gromwell is native to southern Oregon and northern California.
California False Gromwell displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . California False Gromwell produces small, tubular yellow flowers in clusters.
What Light Does the California False Gromwell Need?
California False Gromwell thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a California False Gromwell?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter like compost. Good drainage is essential for California False Gromwell to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a California False Gromwell?
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 False Gromwell?
California False Gromwell can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to bolivian puccoon plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the California False Gromwell Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list California False Gromwell, 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 False Gromwell?
California False Gromwell is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, leaf miners. 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.
Keep exploring plants
California False Gromwell 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 Lithospermum genus — compare its care with other Lithospermum species on PlantoScan.
Lithospermum is part of the Boraginaceae plant family — browse all Boraginaceae genera and species.
California False Gromwell thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Lithospermum Species
Other Lithospermum species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Lithospermum californicum A.Gray, family Boraginaceae (first published in Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 10: 51 (1874)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list California False Gromwell, 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.
- 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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