Fremont's Dalea (Psorothamnus fremontii)

Photo: Stan ShebsCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped

Fremont's Dalea Plant Care

Psorothamnus fremontii (A.Gray) Barneby

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Psorothamnus fremontii, the Fremont's dalea or Fremont's indigo bush (after John C. Frémont) is a perennial legume shrub.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs🍃Climbers & Vines
Water

Every 10–14 days

Light

Full sun

Temp

50–90°F

Humidity

20–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Fremont's Dalea?

Plant Fremont's Dalea in full sun (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 10–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F (10–32°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

What Is the Fremont's Dalea?

Fremont's Dalea (Psorothamnus fremontii) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Psorothamnus genus. Fremont's Dalea is also known as Fremont's Psorothamnus, Dalea fremontii, Parosela fremontii.

Fremont's Dalea displays a dense, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Fremont's Dalea produces small purple pea-like flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 1.5 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Fremont's Dalea?

Water a young or newly planted Fremont's Dalea every 10–14 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 10–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Fremont's Dalea Need?

Fremont's Dalea thrives in full sun.

Light Requirement

Full sun

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Fremont's Dalea Prefer?

Psorothamnus fremontii tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Fremont's Dalea prefers humidity levels of 20–60%.

Temperature

50–90°F

Humidity

20–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Fremont's Dalea?

Well-draining sandy soil mix with low organic content. Good drainage is essential for Fremont's Dalea to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Fremont's Dalea?

Feed Fremont's Dalea 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 Fremont's Dalea?

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining sandy soil mix with low organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Fremont's Dalea 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 Fremont's Dalea?

Fremont's Dalea can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 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 Fremont's Dalea?

Prune Fremont's Dalea 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 Fremont's Dalea in Winter?

Fremont's Dalea 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 Fremont's Dalea?

Fremont's Dalea can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to california dalea plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Fremont's Dalea Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Fremont's Dalea, 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 Fremont's Dalea?

Fremont's Dalea 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 Fremont's Dalea Need?

Fremont's Dalea grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Fremont's Dalea as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Fremont's Dalea 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 Psorothamnus genus — compare its care with other Psorothamnus species on PlantoScan.

Psorothamnus is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.

Fremont's Dalea 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: Psorothamnus fremontii (A.Gray) Barneby, family Fabaceae — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Fremont's Dalea, 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.

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