Espinosae Cupflower Plant Care

Espinosae Cupflower (Nierembergia espinosae) belongs to the Solanaceae family within the Nierembergia genus. Espinosae Cupflower is native to Ecuador.

Espinosae Cupflower displays a low spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Espinosae Cupflower produces small, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of blue, purple, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Espinosae Cupflower 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.

Espinosae Cupflower thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Nierembergia espinosae tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Espinosae Cupflower prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining, loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Espinosae Cupflower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Espinosae Cupflower every month 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 full sun to partial shade and well-draining, loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

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.

Espinosae Cupflower can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 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 Espinosae Cupflower 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.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Espinosae Cupflower can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to cup flower plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Espinosae Cupflower 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.