Potentilla micheneri Plant Care
Potentilla micheneri Greene
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Potentilla micheneri is a species of flowering plant in the rose family. It is known by the common names Santa Rosa oceanspray, Santa Rosa horkelia and thin-lobed horkelia and is endemic to California, where it is known only from the coastal hills and mountains north of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Potentilla micheneri?
Plant Potentilla micheneri in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Potentilla micheneri Native To?
What Is the Potentilla micheneri?
Potentilla micheneri (Potentilla micheneri) belongs to the Rosaceae family within the Potentilla genus. Potentilla micheneri is native to California.
Potentilla micheneri displays a low spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Potentilla micheneri produces small, bright yellow flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Potentilla micheneri?
Water a young or newly planted Potentilla micheneri 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 Potentilla micheneri Need?
Potentilla micheneri thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Potentilla micheneri Prefer?
Potentilla micheneri tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Potentilla micheneri prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Potentilla micheneri?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Potentilla micheneri to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Potentilla micheneri?
Feed Potentilla micheneri 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 Potentilla micheneri?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Potentilla micheneri 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 Potentilla micheneri?
Potentilla micheneri 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 Potentilla micheneri?
Prune Potentilla micheneri 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 Potentilla micheneri in Winter?
Potentilla micheneri 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 Potentilla micheneri?
Potentilla micheneri can be propagated through softwood cuttings, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to golden cinquefoil plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Potentilla micheneri Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Potentilla micheneri, 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 Potentilla micheneri?
Potentilla micheneri is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, leafhoppers. 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 Potentilla micheneri Need?
Potentilla micheneri grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Potentilla micheneri is native to California. In cooler regions, grow Potentilla micheneri as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Potentilla micheneri 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 Potentilla genus — compare its care with other Potentilla species on PlantoScan.
Potentilla is part of the Rosaceae plant family — browse all Rosaceae genera and species.
Potentilla micheneri thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Potentilla Species
Other Potentilla species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Potentilla micheneri Greene, family Rosaceae (first published in Erythea 1: 5 (1893)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Potentilla micheneri, 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.
