Pityrodia viscida Plant Care

Pityrodia viscida Fitzg.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Pityrodia viscida is a flowering plant in the mint family Lamiaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is an erect shrub with sticky hairy stems, egg-shaped to narrowly elliptic leaves and white bell-like flowers.

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Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Pityrodia viscida?

Plant Pityrodia viscida in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Pityrodia viscida Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Pityrodia viscida?

Pityrodia viscida (Pityrodia viscida) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Pityrodia genus. Pityrodia viscida is native to the south-west of Western Australia.

Pityrodia viscida displays a low spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Pityrodia viscida produces small tubular flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Pityrodia viscida?

Water a young or newly planted Pityrodia viscida 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 Pityrodia viscida Need?

Pityrodia viscida thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Pityrodia viscida Prefer?

Pityrodia viscida tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Pityrodia viscida prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Pityrodia viscida?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Pityrodia viscida?

Feed Pityrodia viscida 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 Pityrodia viscida?

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

Pityrodia viscida is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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 Pityrodia viscida?

Pityrodia viscida can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 2 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.

How Do You Prune a Pityrodia viscida?

Prune Pityrodia viscida 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 Pityrodia viscida in Winter?

Pityrodia viscida is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). 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 Pityrodia viscida?

Pityrodia viscida can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to augusta pityrodia plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Pityrodia viscida Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Pityrodia viscida, 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 Pityrodia viscida?

Pityrodia viscida 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Pityrodia viscida Need?

Pityrodia viscida grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Pityrodia viscida is native to the south-west of Western Australia. In cooler regions, grow Pityrodia viscida as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Pityrodia viscida 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 Pityrodia genus — compare its care with other Pityrodia species on PlantoScan.

Pityrodia is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.

Pityrodia viscida thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Pityrodia Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Pityrodia viscida Fitzg., family Lamiaceae (first published in J. Western Australia Nat. Hist. Soc. 1: 30 (1904)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Pityrodia viscida, 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 13a, 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.

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