Three-lobed bishop's cap Plant Care

Three-lobed bishop's cap (Mitella trifida) belongs to the Saxifragaceae family within the Mitella genus. Three-lobed bishop's cap is native to western North America from Alaska to Montana to California. Three-lobed bishop's cap is also known as Three-lobed miterwort.

Three-lobed bishop's cap displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Three-lobed bishop's cap produces delicate clusters of small white or pink flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Three-lobed bishop's cap 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.

Three-lobed bishop's cap thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Three-lobed bishop's cap in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Mitella trifida tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Three-lobed bishop's cap prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Rich, moist, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Three-lobed bishop's cap to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Three-lobed bishop's cap 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 partial to full shade and rich, moist, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Three-lobed bishop's cap 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.

Three-lobed bishop's cap 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.

Prune Three-lobed bishop's cap 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.

Three-lobed bishop's cap 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.

Three-lobed bishop's cap can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to mitella breweri plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Three-lobed bishop's cap 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.

Three-lobed bishop's cap grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Three-lobed bishop's cap is native to western North America from Alaska to Montana to California. In cooler regions, grow Three-lobed bishop's cap as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.