Photo: Jacqui GeuxCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Long-leaf Rice Flower Plant Care
Pimelea longifolia Banks & Sol. ex Wikstr.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's most distinctive visual feature is its long, slender leaves, which create an elegant and graceful appearance. Originating from Australia, Pimelea longifolia is highly sought after by plant collectors for its delicate flowers that bloom in clusters, adding a touch of softness and beauty to any indoor garden.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Long-leaf Rice Flower?
Plant Long-leaf Rice Flower in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 8b–10b) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Long-leaf Rice Flower Native To?
What Is the Long-leaf Rice Flower?
Long-leaf Rice Flower (Pimelea longifolia) belongs to the Thymelaeaceae family within the Pimelea genus. Long-leaf Rice Flower is native to New Zealand. Long-leaf Rice Flower is also known as Long-leaf Pimelea.
Long-leaf Rice Flower displays a compact, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 2.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Long-leaf Rice Flower produces small clusters of pink, white, or yellow flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Long-leaf Rice Flower?
Water a young or newly planted Long-leaf Rice Flower 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 Long-leaf Rice Flower Need?
Long-leaf Rice Flower thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Long-leaf Rice Flower Prefer?
Pimelea longifolia tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F. Long-leaf Rice Flower prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Long-leaf Rice Flower?
Well-draining acidic soil mix with added organic matter like peat moss or pine bark. Good drainage is essential for Long-leaf Rice Flower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Long-leaf Rice Flower?
Feed Long-leaf 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.
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 Long-leaf Rice Flower?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining acidic soil mix with added organic matter like peat moss or pine bark. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Long-leaf Rice Flower is suited to USDA Zone 8b – 10b.
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 Long-leaf Rice Flower?
Long-leaf Rice Flower can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 3 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 Long-leaf Rice Flower?
Prune Long-leaf 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.
How Do You Care for a Long-leaf Rice Flower in Winter?
Long-leaf Rice Flower is hardy down to USDA zone 8b, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.
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.
How Do You Propagate a Long-leaf Rice Flower?
Long-leaf Rice Flower can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to coastal rice flower plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Long-leaf Rice Flower Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Long-leaf Rice Flower, 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 Long-leaf Rice Flower?
Long-leaf Rice Flower is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. 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 Long-leaf Rice Flower Need?
Long-leaf Rice Flower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8b – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8b. Long-leaf Rice Flower is native to New Zealand.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8b – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Long-leaf Rice Flower 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 Pimelea genus — compare its care with other Pimelea species on PlantoScan.
Pimelea is part of the Thymelaeaceae plant family — browse all Thymelaeaceae genera and species.
Long-leaf Rice Flower thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Pimelea Species
Other Pimelea species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Pimelea longifolia Banks & Sol. ex Wikstr., family Thymelaeaceae (first published in Kongl. Vetensk. Acad. Handl. 1818: 280 (1818)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Long-leaf Rice Flower, 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.
- Photo: Jacqui Geux, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8b – 10b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Long-leaf Rice Flower 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.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species