Nemacladus calcaratus Plant Care

Nemacladus calcaratus Morin

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Nemacladus calcaratus is a rare species of flowering plant in the bellflower family known by the common name Chimney Creek nemacladus. It is endemic to Tulare County, California, where it is known only from Chimney Creek in the southern Sierra Nevada east of Lake Isabella.

🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Partial shade to full sun

Temp

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Nemacladus calcaratus?

Plant Nemacladus calcaratus in partial shade to full sun (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Nemacladus calcaratus Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Nemacladus calcaratus?

Nemacladus calcaratus (Nemacladus calcaratus) belongs to the Campanulaceae family within the Nemacladus genus. Nemacladus calcaratus is native to Tulare County, California.

Nemacladus calcaratus displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Nemacladus calcaratus produces small bell-shaped flowers in shades of blue, purple, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Nemacladus calcaratus?

Water a young or newly planted Nemacladus calcaratus 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 Nemacladus calcaratus Need?

Nemacladus calcaratus thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Light Requirement

Partial shade to full sun

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Nemacladus calcaratus Prefer?

Nemacladus calcaratus tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Nemacladus calcaratus prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Nemacladus calcaratus?

Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Nemacladus calcaratus to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Nemacladus calcaratus?

Feed Nemacladus calcaratus every 8 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 8 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 Nemacladus calcaratus?

Choose a spot with partial shade to full sun and well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Nemacladus calcaratus 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 Nemacladus calcaratus?

Nemacladus calcaratus 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 Nemacladus calcaratus?

Prune Nemacladus calcaratus 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 Nemacladus calcaratus in Winter?

Nemacladus calcaratus 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 Nemacladus calcaratus?

Nemacladus calcaratus can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to nemacladus capillaris plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Nemacladus calcaratus Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Nemacladus calcaratus, 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 Nemacladus calcaratus?

Nemacladus calcaratus is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, snails. 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 Nemacladus calcaratus Need?

Nemacladus calcaratus grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Nemacladus calcaratus is native to Tulare County, California. In cooler regions, grow Nemacladus calcaratus as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Nemacladus calcaratus 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 Nemacladus genus — compare its care with other Nemacladus species on PlantoScan.

Nemacladus is part of the Campanulaceae plant family — browse all Campanulaceae genera and species.

Nemacladus calcaratus thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Nemacladus Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Nemacladus calcaratus Morin, family Campanulaceae (first published in J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas 2: 399 (2008)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Nemacladus calcaratus, 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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