Oriental podonosma Plant Care

Oriental podonosma (Podonosma orientalis) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Podonosma genus. Oriental podonosma is native to Turkey, the Eastern Mediterranean, namely, Syria, Lebanon, Israel (Palestine), and stretching as far as the woodlands and desert steppes of Jordan, Iraq, and in Western and Southern Iran. Oriental podonosma is also known as Eastern podonosma.

Oriental podonosma displays a low spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Oriental podonosma produces small blue star-shaped flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Oriental podonosma 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.

Oriental podonosma thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Podonosma orientalis tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Oriental podonosma prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

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

Feed Oriental podonosma 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.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

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.

Oriental podonosma is suited to USDA Zone 8a – 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.

Oriental podonosma can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 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.

Prune Oriental podonosma 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.

Oriental podonosma is hardy down to USDA zone 8a, 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.

Oriental podonosma can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Oriental podonosma is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, 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.

Oriental podonosma grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Oriental podonosma is native to Turkey, the Eastern Mediterranean, namely, Syria, Lebanon, Israel (Palestine), and stretching as far as the woodlands and desert steppes of Jordan, Iraq, and in Western and Southern Iran.