Hairy Nama Plant Care

Nama hispida A.Gray

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Nama hispida is an annual flowering plant in the family Namaceae. Common names include sand bells, rough nama, and bristly nama.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
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 Hairy Nama?

Plant Hairy 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 Hairy Nama Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Hairy Nama?

Hairy Nama (Nama hispida) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Nama genus. Hairy Nama is native to the American desert southwest and throughout northern and central Mexico.

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

Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Hairy Nama?

Water a young or newly planted Hairy 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 Hairy Nama Need?

Hairy Nama thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Hairy Nama Prefer?

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

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hairy Nama?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Hairy Nama?

Feed Hairy 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 Hairy 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.

Hairy 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 Hairy Nama?

Hairy 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 Hairy Nama?

Prune Hairy 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 Hairy Nama in Winter?

Hairy 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 Hairy Nama?

Hairy 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 Hairy Nama Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Hairy 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 Hairy Nama?

Hairy 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 Hairy Nama Need?

Hairy Nama grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Hairy Nama is native to the American desert southwest and throughout northern and central Mexico. In cooler regions, grow Hairy Nama as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Hairy 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.

Hairy 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 hispida A.Gray, family Boraginaceae (first published in Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 5: 339 (1862)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Hairy 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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