Red Bush Plant Care

Red Bush (Metalasia erubescens) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Metalasia genus. Red Bush is native to the Western Cape. Red Bush is also known as Bush.

Red Bush displays a compact, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 2.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Red Bush produces small daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Red Bush 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.

Red Bush thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Metalasia erubescens tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Red Bush prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Red Bush to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Red Bush 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 full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Red Bush 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.

Red Bush can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 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 Red Bush 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.

Red Bush 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.

Red Bush can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to spiky metalasia plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Red Bush 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.

Red Bush grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Red Bush is native to the Western Cape. In cooler regions, grow Red Bush as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.