Golden Mimetes Plant Care

Mimetes chrysanthus Rourke

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Mimetes chrysanthus is an evergreen, upright shrub of 1½–2 m high that has been assigned to the family Proteaceae. It has green, slightly stalked oval leaves of 3–4½ cm (1.2–1.8 in) long and 1–1¾ cm (0.4–0.7 in) wide.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Golden Mimetes?

Plant Golden Mimetes in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young tree every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Golden Mimetes Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Golden Mimetes?

Golden Mimetes (Mimetes chrysanthus) belongs to the Proteaceae family within the Mimetes genus. Golden Mimetes is native to two locations, in the Western Cape province.

Golden Mimetes displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Golden Mimetes produces showy, tubular flowers in shades of red, orange, or yellow.

Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Golden Mimetes?

Water a young or newly planted Golden Mimetes every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees 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 Golden Mimetes Need?

Golden Mimetes thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Golden Mimetes Prefer?

Mimetes chrysanthus tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Golden Mimetes prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Golden Mimetes?

Well-draining acidic soil mix with sand and peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Golden Mimetes to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Golden Mimetes?

Feed Golden Mimetes every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees 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 Golden Mimetes?

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

Golden Mimetes is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Golden Mimetes?

Golden Mimetes can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 5 ft (2 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 tree spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Golden Mimetes?

Prune Golden Mimetes 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 tree in one year.

How Do You Care for a Golden Mimetes in Winter?

Golden Mimetes 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.

How Do You Propagate a Golden Mimetes?

Golden Mimetes can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to tree mimetes plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Golden Mimetes Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Golden Mimetes, 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 Golden Mimetes?

Golden Mimetes is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. 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 Golden Mimetes Need?

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

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Golden Mimetes 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 Mimetes genus (family Proteaceae) — search all Mimetes species in the plant lookup.

Golden Mimetes thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Mimetes Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Mimetes chrysanthus Rourke, family Proteaceae (first published in S. African J. Bot. 54: 636 (1988)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Golden Mimetes, 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 12a, 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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