Malacothrix junakii Plant Care

Malacothrix junakii W.S.Davis

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Malacothrix junakii is a rare species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common names Anacapa Island desert-dandelion, Junak's desertdandelion, and Junak's malacothrix. It is endemic to Anacapa Island, one of the Channel Islands of California, where it is known from just two occurrences.

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Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun

Temp

50–80°F

Humidity

30–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Malacothrix junakii?

Plant Malacothrix junakii in full sun (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Malacothrix junakii Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Malacothrix junakii?

Malacothrix junakii (Malacothrix junakii) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Malacothrix genus. Malacothrix junakii is native to Anacapa Island, one of the Channel Islands of California.

Malacothrix junakii displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Malacothrix junakii produces small daisy-like flowers in shades of white, yellow, or purple.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Malacothrix junakii?

Water a young or newly planted Malacothrix junakii every 7–10 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 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Malacothrix junakii Need?

Malacothrix junakii thrives in full sun.

Light Requirement

Full sun

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Malacothrix junakii Prefer?

Malacothrix junakii tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Malacothrix junakii prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

30–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Malacothrix junakii?

Well-draining sandy soil with some organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Malacothrix junakii to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Malacothrix junakii?

Feed Malacothrix junakii 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 Malacothrix junakii?

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining sandy soil with some organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Malacothrix junakii 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 Malacothrix junakii?

Malacothrix junakii 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 Malacothrix junakii?

Prune Malacothrix junakii 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 Malacothrix junakii in Winter?

Malacothrix junakii 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 Malacothrix junakii?

Malacothrix junakii can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to coulter's malacothrix plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Malacothrix junakii Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Malacothrix junakii, 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 Malacothrix junakii?

Malacothrix junakii is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies. 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 Malacothrix junakii Need?

Malacothrix junakii grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Malacothrix junakii is native to Anacapa Island, one of the Channel Islands of California. In cooler regions, grow Malacothrix junakii as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Malacothrix junakii 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 Malacothrix genus — compare its care with other Malacothrix species on PlantoScan.

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

Malacothrix junakii thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Malacothrix Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Malacothrix junakii W.S.Davis, family Asteraceae (first published in Madroño 44: 241 (1998)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Malacothrix junakii, 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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