Mazus Plant Care

Mazus (Mazus pumilio) belongs to the Mazaceae family within the Mazus genus. Mazus is native to eastern Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand.

Mazus displays a low mat-forming groundcover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Mazus produces small, tubular flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Mazus every 3–5 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.

Mazus thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 500–2,000 lux. Avoid placing Mazus in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Mazus pumilio tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Mazus prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Mazus to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Mazus 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 partial to full shade and moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Mazus is suited to USDA Zone 8a – 10b.

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.

Mazus 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 Mazus 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.

Mazus is hardy down to USDA zone 8a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Mazus can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to mazus gracilis plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Mazus 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.

Mazus grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Mazus is native to eastern Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand.