Malesherbia haemantha Plant Care

Malesherbia haemantha Harms

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Malesherbia haemantha is an endangered shrub native to the desert and dry shrubland of Peru.

Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–80°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Malesherbia haemantha?

Plant Malesherbia haemantha in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Malesherbia haemantha Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Malesherbia haemantha?

Malesherbia haemantha (Malesherbia haemantha) belongs to the Passifloraceae family within the Malesherbia genus. Malesherbia haemantha is native to the desert and dry shrubland of Peru.

Malesherbia haemantha displays a low spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Malesherbia haemantha produces small, delicate purple flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 1.5 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Malesherbia haemantha?

Water a young or newly planted Malesherbia haemantha 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 Malesherbia haemantha Need?

Malesherbia haemantha thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Malesherbia haemantha Prefer?

Malesherbia haemantha tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Malesherbia haemantha prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Malesherbia haemantha?

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added peat moss and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Malesherbia haemantha to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Malesherbia haemantha?

Feed Malesherbia haemantha 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 Malesherbia haemantha?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil mix with added peat moss and perlite. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Malesherbia haemantha is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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 Malesherbia haemantha?

Malesherbia haemantha can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 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 Malesherbia haemantha?

Prune Malesherbia haemantha 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 Malesherbia haemantha in Winter?

Malesherbia haemantha is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). 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 Malesherbia haemantha?

Malesherbia haemantha can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to malesherbia angustisecta plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Malesherbia haemantha Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Malesherbia haemantha, 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 Malesherbia haemantha?

Malesherbia haemantha is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, 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 Malesherbia haemantha Need?

Malesherbia haemantha grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Malesherbia haemantha is native to the desert and dry shrubland of Peru. In cooler regions, grow Malesherbia haemantha as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Malesherbia haemantha 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 Malesherbia genus — compare its care with other Malesherbia species on PlantoScan.

Malesherbia is part of the Passifloraceae plant family — browse all Passifloraceae genera and species.

Malesherbia haemantha thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Malesherbia Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Malesherbia haemantha Harms, family Passifloraceae (first published in Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 8: 211 (1922)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Malesherbia haemantha, 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 13a, 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.

PlantoScan app icon

Identify Plants Like the
Malesherbia haemantha Instantly

Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Free

to download

iOS & Android

platforms

Light & dark

mode

100,000+

species