Phacelia hubbyi Plant Care

Phacelia hubbyi (J.F.Macbr.) Garrison

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Phacelia hubbyi, also known as Hubby's phacelia, caterpillar phacelia, or caterpillar scorpionweed is a species of plant endemic to California. Found in the southern coastal counties of Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, and Orange, it favors rocky or gravelly areas in chaparral and coastal scrub or the grasslands of the foothills.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–80°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Phacelia hubbyi?

Plant Phacelia hubbyi 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 Phacelia hubbyi?

Phacelia hubbyi (Phacelia hubbyi) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Phacelia genus. Phacelia hubbyi is native to the southern coastal counties of Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, and Orange, it favors rocky or gravelly areas in chaparral and coastal scrub or the grasslands of the foothills.

Phacelia hubbyi displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Phacelia hubbyi produces small, bell-shaped flowers in shades of blue, purple, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Phacelia hubbyi?

Water a young or newly planted Phacelia hubbyi 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 Phacelia hubbyi Need?

Phacelia hubbyi thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Phacelia hubbyi Prefer?

Phacelia hubbyi tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Phacelia hubbyi prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Phacelia hubbyi?

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Phacelia hubbyi to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Phacelia hubbyi?

Feed Phacelia hubbyi 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 Phacelia hubbyi?

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

Phacelia hubbyi 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 Phacelia hubbyi?

Phacelia hubbyi can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 2 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 Phacelia hubbyi?

Prune Phacelia hubbyi 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 Phacelia hubbyi in Winter?

Phacelia hubbyi 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 Phacelia hubbyi?

Phacelia hubbyi can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to phacelia adenophora plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Phacelia hubbyi Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Phacelia hubbyi, 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 Phacelia hubbyi?

Phacelia hubbyi is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, thrips. 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 Phacelia hubbyi Need?

Phacelia hubbyi grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Phacelia hubbyi is native to the southern coastal counties of Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, and Orange, it favors rocky or gravelly areas in chaparral and coastal scrub or the grasslands of the foothills. In cooler regions, grow Phacelia hubbyi as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Phacelia hubbyi 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 Phacelia genus — compare its care with other Phacelia species on PlantoScan.

Phacelia is part of the Boraginaceae plant family — browse all Boraginaceae genera and species.

Phacelia hubbyi thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Phacelia Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Phacelia hubbyi (J.F.Macbr.) Garrison, family Boraginaceae (first published in Madroño 56: 205 (2010)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Phacelia hubbyi, 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.

PlantoScan app icon

Identify Plants Like the
Phacelia hubbyi Instantly

Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Free

to download

iOS & Android

platforms

Light & dark

mode

100,000+

species