Hispid Popcornflower Plant Care

Plagiobothrys hispidus A.Gray

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Plagiobothrys hispidus is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common names Cascade popcornflower or bristly popcornflower. It is native to the mountains and plateaus around the intersection of Oregon, northeastern California, and northwestern Nevada, where it grows in dry, sandy habitat.

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Water

Every 3–5 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Hispid Popcornflower?

Plant Hispid Popcornflower in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 3–5 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Hispid Popcornflower Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Hispid Popcornflower?

Hispid Popcornflower (Plagiobothrys hispidus) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Plagiobothrys genus. Hispid Popcornflower is native to the mountains and plateaus around the intersection of Oregon, northeastern California, and northwestern Nevada.

Hispid Popcornflower displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Hispid Popcornflower produces small, tubular white or pink flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Hispid Popcornflower?

Water a young or newly planted Hispid Popcornflower every 3–5 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 3–5 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Hispid Popcornflower Need?

Hispid Popcornflower thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Hispid Popcornflower Prefer?

Plagiobothrys hispidus tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Hispid Popcornflower prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hispid Popcornflower?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Hispid Popcornflower?

Feed Hispid Popcornflower 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 Hispid Popcornflower?

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

Hispid Popcornflower 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 Hispid Popcornflower?

Hispid Popcornflower can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 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 Hispid Popcornflower?

Prune Hispid Popcornflower 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 Hispid Popcornflower in Winter?

Hispid Popcornflower 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 Hispid Popcornflower?

Hispid Popcornflower can be propagated through seeds, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to figwort popcornflower plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Hispid Popcornflower Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Hispid Popcornflower, 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 Hispid Popcornflower?

Hispid Popcornflower 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 Hispid Popcornflower Need?

Hispid Popcornflower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Hispid Popcornflower is native to the mountains and plateaus around the intersection of Oregon, northeastern California, and northwestern Nevada. In cooler regions, grow Hispid Popcornflower as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Hispid Popcornflower 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 Plagiobothrys genus — compare its care with other Plagiobothrys species on PlantoScan.

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

Hispid Popcornflower thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Plagiobothrys Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Plagiobothrys hispidus A.Gray, family Boraginaceae (first published in Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 20: 286 (1885)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Hispid Popcornflower, 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.

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