Mitella breweri Plant Care
Mitella breweri A.Gray
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Brewerimitella breweri is a species of flowering plant in the saxifrage family, known by the synonyms Mitella breweri and Pectiantia breweri and by the common names Brewer's mitrewort and Brewer's bishop's cap. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to central California and Nevada, where it grows in moist meadows, woods, and mountain forests.
Every 3–5 days
Partial to full shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Mitella breweri?
Plant Mitella breweri in partial to full shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 3–5 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Mitella breweri Native To?
What Is the Mitella breweri?
Mitella breweri (Mitella breweri) belongs to the Saxifragaceae family within the Mitella genus. Mitella breweri is native to western North America from British Columbia to central California and Nevada.
Mitella breweri displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Mitella breweri produces delicate clusters of small white or pink flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Mitella breweri?
Water a young or newly planted Mitella breweri 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.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–5 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Mitella breweri Need?
Mitella breweri thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Mitella breweri in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial to full shade
100–500 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Mitella breweri Prefer?
Mitella breweri tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Mitella breweri prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Mitella breweri?
Rich, moist, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Mitella breweri to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Mitella breweri?
Feed Mitella breweri 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.
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 Mitella breweri?
Choose a spot with partial to full shade and rich, moist, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Mitella breweri 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.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Mitella breweri?
Mitella breweri 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.
How Do You Prune a Mitella breweri?
Prune Mitella breweri 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.
How Do You Care for a Mitella breweri in Winter?
Mitella breweri 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 Mitella breweri?
Mitella breweri can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to mitella caulescens plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Mitella breweri Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Mitella breweri, 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 Mitella breweri?
Mitella breweri 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 Mitella breweri Need?
Mitella breweri grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Mitella breweri is native to western North America from British Columbia to central California and Nevada. In cooler regions, grow Mitella breweri as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Mitella breweri 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 Mitella genus — compare its care with other Mitella species on PlantoScan.
Mitella is part of the Saxifragaceae plant family — browse all Saxifragaceae genera and species.
Mitella breweri copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Mitella breweri A.Gray, family Saxifragaceae (first published in Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 6: 533 (1865)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Mitella breweri, 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.
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