
Photo: Botanischer Garten TU DarmstadtCC BY 2.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Annual Lonas Plant Care
Lonas annua Grande
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Species synonymy
Every 5–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Annual Lonas?
Plant Annual Lonas in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 5–7 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Annual Lonas?
Annual Lonas (Lonas annua) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Lonas genus. Annual Lonas is native to Italy, France, Germany, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. Annual Lonas is also known as Yellow Ageratum, Achillea inodora, Athanasia annua.
Annual Lonas displays a low spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Annual Lonas produces small daisy-like flowers in white, yellow, or pink.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Annual Lonas?
Water a young or newly planted Annual Lonas every 5–7 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 5–7 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Annual Lonas Need?
Annual Lonas thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Annual Lonas Prefer?
Lonas annua tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Annual Lonas prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Annual Lonas?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Annual Lonas to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Annual Lonas?
Feed Annual Lonas 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 Annual Lonas?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Annual Lonas 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 Annual Lonas?
Annual Lonas can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 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 Annual Lonas?
Prune Annual Lonas 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 Annual Lonas in Winter?
Annual Lonas 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 Annual Lonas?
Annual Lonas can be propagated through seeds.
Is the Annual Lonas Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Annual Lonas, 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 Annual Lonas?
Annual Lonas 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 Annual Lonas Need?
Annual Lonas grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Annual Lonas is native to Italy, France, Germany, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. In cooler regions, grow Annual Lonas as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Annual Lonas 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 Lonas genus (family Asteraceae) — search all Lonas species in the plant lookup.
Annual Lonas 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: Lonas annua Grande, family Asteraceae (first published in Nuovo Giorn. Bot. Ital. n.s., 31: 150. 1924) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Annual Lonas, 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: Botanischer Garten TU Darmstadt, CC BY 2.0, 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.
