Photo: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCECC BY-SA 2.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Contrayerba Plant Care
Milleria contrayerba Cav.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Flaveria bidentis, the coastal plain yellowtops, is a South American plant species of Flaveria within the family Asteraceae. It is native to South America, and naturalized in many places (Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, the southeastern United States, Europe, Africa, Asia, etc.).
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Contrayerba?
Water Contrayerba every 4–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Contrayerba Native To?
What Is the Contrayerba?
Contrayerba (Milleria contrayerba) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Milleria genus. Contrayerba is native to South America, and naturalized in many places. Contrayerba is also known as Brotera contrayerba, Ethulia bidentis, Eupatorium chilense.
Contrayerba displays a compact, mounding perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Contrayerba produces small daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Contrayerba?
Milleria contrayerba requires watering every 4–7 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 4–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Contrayerba Need?
Contrayerba thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Contrayerba Prefer?
Milleria contrayerba grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Contrayerba prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Contrayerba?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Contrayerba to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Contrayerba?
Feed Contrayerba 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 Contrayerba?
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 Contrayerba?
Contrayerba can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to fiveflower milleria plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Contrayerba Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Contrayerba, 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 Contrayerba?
Contrayerba 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 Contrayerba Need?
Contrayerba grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Contrayerba is native to South America, and naturalized in many places. In cooler regions, grow Contrayerba as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Contrayerba 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 Milleria genus — compare its care with other Milleria species on PlantoScan.
Milleria is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Contrayerba 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: Milleria contrayerba Cav., family Asteraceae (first published in Icon. 1: 2) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Contrayerba, 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: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE, CC BY-SA 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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