Photo: Dick Culbert from Gibsons, B.C., CanadaCC BY 2.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
White Melanthera Plant Care
Melanthera nivea (L.) Small
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
(≡) Bidens nivea L. (=) Calea aspera Jacq. (=) Melanthera aspera (Jacq.) Small
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for White Melanthera?
Water White Melanthera every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the White Melanthera?
White Melanthera (Melanthera nivea) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Melanthera genus. White Melanthera is also known as Amellus asper, Amellus niveus.
White Melanthera displays an upright, spreading perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. White Melanthera produces small daisy-like flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a White Melanthera?
Melanthera nivea requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the White Melanthera Need?
White Melanthera thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the White Melanthera Prefer?
Melanthera nivea grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. White Melanthera prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a White Melanthera?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for White Melanthera to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a White Melanthera?
Feed White Melanthera every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a White Melanthera?
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 White Melanthera?
White Melanthera can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball.
Is the White Melanthera Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list White Melanthera, 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 White Melanthera?
White Melanthera 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 White Melanthera Need?
White Melanthera grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow White Melanthera as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
White Melanthera 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 Melanthera genus — compare its care with other Melanthera species on PlantoScan.
Melanthera is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
White Melanthera 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: Melanthera nivea (L.) Small, family Asteraceae (first published in Fl. S.E. U.S. 1251, 1340 (1903)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list White Melanthera, 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: Dick Culbert from Gibsons, B.C., Canada, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- 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.
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