
Photo: Stan ShebsCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Bulbostylis annua Plant Care
Psathyrotes annua (Nutt.) A.Gray
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Bulbostylis annua
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Bulbostylis annua?
Plant Bulbostylis annua 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 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Bulbostylis annua Native To?
What Is the Bulbostylis annua?
Bulbostylis annua (Psathyrotes annua) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Psathyrotes genus. Bulbostylis annua is native to the southwestern United States and as far north as Idaho.
Bulbostylis annua displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Bulbostylis annua produces small daisy-like flowers in white or yellow.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Bulbostylis annua?
Water a young or newly planted Bulbostylis annua 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 Bulbostylis annua Need?
Bulbostylis annua thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Bulbostylis annua Prefer?
Psathyrotes annua tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Bulbostylis annua prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Bulbostylis annua?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with some organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Bulbostylis annua to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Bulbostylis annua?
Feed Bulbostylis annua 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 Bulbostylis annua?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil mix with some organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Bulbostylis annua 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 Bulbostylis annua?
Bulbostylis annua 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 Bulbostylis annua?
Prune Bulbostylis annua 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 Bulbostylis annua in Winter?
Bulbostylis annua 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 Bulbostylis annua?
Bulbostylis annua can be propagated through seeds, division of root clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to ramose buckwheat plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Bulbostylis annua Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Bulbostylis annua, 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 Bulbostylis annua?
Bulbostylis annua 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 Bulbostylis annua Need?
Bulbostylis annua grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Bulbostylis annua is native to the southwestern United States and as far north as Idaho. In cooler regions, grow Bulbostylis annua as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Bulbostylis annua 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 Psathyrotes genus — compare its care with other Psathyrotes species on PlantoScan.
Psathyrotes is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Bulbostylis annua thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Psathyrotes annua (Nutt.) A.Gray, family Asteraceae (first published in Smithsonian Contr. Knowl. 5(6): 100 (1853)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Bulbostylis annua, 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.
- Photo: Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- 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.
