Depressed Nama Plant Care

Nama depressa Lemmon ex A.Gray

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Nama depressa, commonly known as depressed fiddleleaf, is a species of flowering plant in the family Namaceae. It is native to Nevada and eastern California, where it grows in dry desert and mountain habitat, including the Mojave Desert.

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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 Depressed Nama?

Plant Depressed Nama in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub 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 Depressed Nama Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Depressed Nama?

Depressed Nama (Nama depressa) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Nama genus. Depressed Nama is native to Nevada and eastern California.

Depressed Nama displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Depressed Nama produces small, tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Depressed Nama?

Water a young or newly planted Depressed Nama 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.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Depressed Nama Need?

Depressed Nama thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Depressed Nama Prefer?

Nama depressa tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Depressed Nama prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Depressed Nama?

Well-draining sandy soil mix with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Depressed Nama to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Depressed Nama?

Feed Depressed Nama 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 Depressed Nama?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil mix with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Depressed Nama 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 Depressed Nama?

Depressed Nama can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 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 Depressed Nama?

Prune Depressed Nama 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 Depressed Nama in Winter?

Depressed Nama 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 Depressed Nama?

Depressed Nama can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to aretium nama plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Depressed Nama Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Depressed Nama, 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 Depressed Nama?

Depressed Nama 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 Depressed Nama Need?

Depressed Nama grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Depressed Nama is native to Nevada and eastern California. In cooler regions, grow Depressed Nama as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Depressed Nama 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 Nama genus — compare its care with other Nama species on PlantoScan.

Nama is part of the Boraginaceae plant family — browse all Boraginaceae genera and species.

Depressed Nama thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Nama Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Nama depressa Lemmon ex A.Gray, family Boraginaceae (first published in Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 20: 304 (1885)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Depressed Nama, 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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