Zeyher's Rose Plant Care
Orothamnus zeyheri Pappe ex Hook.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Orothamnus or marsh rose is a monotypic fynbos genus in the family Proteaceae occurring in the Kogelberg and Kleinrivier Mountains of Hottentots-Holland in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. It is an erect, sparsely branched shrub to 5 m tall and was first depicted by Jean Villet, a Capetonian artist and dealer in natural history specimens, in Curtis's Botanical Magazine 74: plate 4357 in 1848.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Zeyher's Rose?
Plant Zeyher's Rose 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.
What Is the Zeyher's Rose?
Zeyher's Rose (Orothamnus zeyheri) belongs to the Proteaceae family within the Orothamnus genus. Zeyher's Rose is also known as Cape Rose.
Zeyher's Rose displays a compact, upright shrub growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Zeyher's Rose produces small, colorful tubular flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Zeyher's Rose?
Water a young or newly planted Zeyher's Rose 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 Zeyher's Rose Need?
Zeyher's Rose thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Zeyher's Rose Prefer?
Orothamnus zeyheri tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Zeyher's Rose prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Zeyher's Rose?
Well-draining acidic soil mix with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Zeyher's Rose to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Zeyher's Rose?
Feed Zeyher's Rose 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 Zeyher's Rose?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining acidic soil mix with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Zeyher's Rose 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 Zeyher's Rose?
Zeyher's Rose can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 4 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 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 Zeyher's Rose?
Prune Zeyher's Rose 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 Zeyher's Rose in Winter?
Zeyher's Rose 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 Zeyher's Rose?
Zeyher's Rose can be propagated through seeds, cuttings.
Is the Zeyher's Rose Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Zeyher's Rose, 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 Zeyher's Rose?
Zeyher's Rose is susceptible to spider mites, aphids. 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 Zeyher's Rose Need?
Zeyher's Rose grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Zeyher's Rose as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Zeyher's Rose 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 Orothamnus genus — compare its care with other Orothamnus species on PlantoScan.
Orothamnus is part of the Proteaceae plant family — browse all Proteaceae genera and species.
Zeyher's Rose thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Orothamnus zeyheri Pappe ex Hook., family Proteaceae (first published in Bot. Mag. 74: t. 4357 (1848)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Zeyher's Rose, 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.
