Toothed Nemesia Plant Care

Nemesia denticulata (Benth.) Grant ex Fourc.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Nemesia denticulata, the toothed aloha, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Nemesia of the figwort family Scrophulariaceae. It is native to the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa.

🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 3–5 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Toothed Nemesia?

Plant Toothed Nemesia in full sun to partial 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 Toothed Nemesia Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Toothed Nemesia?

Toothed Nemesia (Nemesia denticulata) belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family within the Nemesia genus. Toothed Nemesia is native to the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa.

Toothed Nemesia displays a low, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Toothed Nemesia produces small, tubular flowers in various colors like pink, purple, white, or yellow.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Toothed Nemesia?

Water a young or newly planted Toothed Nemesia 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 Toothed Nemesia Need?

Toothed Nemesia thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Toothed Nemesia Prefer?

Nemesia denticulata tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Toothed Nemesia prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Toothed Nemesia?

Well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Toothed Nemesia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Toothed Nemesia?

Feed Toothed Nemesia 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 Toothed Nemesia?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Toothed Nemesia 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 Toothed Nemesia?

Toothed Nemesia 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 Toothed Nemesia?

Prune Toothed Nemesia 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 Toothed Nemesia in Winter?

Toothed Nemesia 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 Toothed Nemesia?

Toothed Nemesia can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to blue nemesia plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Toothed Nemesia Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Toothed Nemesia, 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 Toothed Nemesia?

Toothed Nemesia 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 Toothed Nemesia Need?

Toothed Nemesia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Toothed Nemesia is native to the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa. In cooler regions, grow Toothed Nemesia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Toothed Nemesia 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 Nemesia genus — compare its care with other Nemesia species on PlantoScan.

Nemesia is part of the Scrophulariaceae plant family — browse all Scrophulariaceae genera and species.

Toothed Nemesia thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Nemesia Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Nemesia denticulata (Benth.) Grant ex Fourc., family Scrophulariaceae (first published in Mem. Bot. Surv. South Africa 20: 73 (1941)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Toothed Nemesia, 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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