Plantago tweedyi Plant Care
Plantago tweedyi A.Gray
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Plantago tweedyi, Tweedy's plantain, is a perennial herb in the plantain family. It is native to the western United States, from New Mexico and Arizona north to Montana.
Every 3–7 days
Full sun to part shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Plantago tweedyi?
Plant Plantago tweedyi in full sun to part shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 3–7 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 Plantago tweedyi Native To?
What Is the Plantago tweedyi?
Plantago tweedyi (Plantago tweedyi) belongs to the Plantaginaceae family within the Plantago genus. Plantago tweedyi is native to the western United States, from New Mexico and Arizona north to Montana.
Plantago tweedyi displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Plantago tweedyi produces tiny, inconspicuous flowers on slender spikes.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Plantago tweedyi?
Water a young or newly planted Plantago tweedyi every 3–7 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 3–7 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Plantago tweedyi Need?
Plantago tweedyi thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Plantago tweedyi Prefer?
Plantago tweedyi tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Plantago tweedyi prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Plantago tweedyi?
Well-draining loamy soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Plantago tweedyi to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Plantago tweedyi?
Feed Plantago tweedyi 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 Plantago tweedyi?
Choose a spot with full sun to part shade and well-draining loamy soil with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Plantago tweedyi 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 Plantago tweedyi?
Plantago tweedyi 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 Plantago tweedyi?
Prune Plantago tweedyi 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 Plantago tweedyi in Winter?
Plantago tweedyi 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 Plantago tweedyi?
Plantago tweedyi can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to african plantain plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Plantago tweedyi Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Plantago tweedyi, 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 Plantago tweedyi?
Plantago tweedyi is susceptible to aphids, snails, slugs. 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 Plantago tweedyi Need?
Plantago tweedyi grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Plantago tweedyi is native to the western United States, from New Mexico and Arizona north to Montana. In cooler regions, grow Plantago tweedyi as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Plantago tweedyi 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 Plantago genus — compare its care with other Plantago species on PlantoScan.
Plantago is part of the Plantaginaceae plant family — browse all Plantaginaceae genera and species.
Plantago tweedyi thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Plantago Species
Other Plantago species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Plantago tweedyi A.Gray, family Plantaginaceae (first published in Syn. Fl. N. Amer. , ed. 2, 2(1): 390 (1886)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Plantago tweedyi, 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.
