Rice Flower Plant Care

Rice Flower (Ozothamnus diosmifolius) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Ozothamnus genus. Rice Flower is native to eastern Australia. Rice Flower is also known as Riceflower, Sneeze Bush, Ozothamnus diosmifolius.

Rice Flower displays a compact, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Rice Flower produces small, daisy-like flowers in clusters of white, pink, or purple.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Rice Flower every 7–14 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.

Rice Flower thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Ozothamnus diosmifolius tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Rice Flower prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Rice Flower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Rice Flower 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.

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 sandy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Rice Flower is suited to USDA Zone 9b – 11b.

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.

Rice Flower can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 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 Rice Flower 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.

Rice Flower is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Rice Flower can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alpine everlasting plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Rice Flower 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.

Rice Flower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. Rice Flower is native to eastern Australia. In cooler regions, grow Rice Flower as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.