Many-toothed Dalea (Psorothamnus polydenius)

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

Many-toothed Dalea Plant Care

Psorothamnus polydenius (Torr.) Rydb.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Psorothamnus polydenius is a species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common names Nevada dalea and Nevada indigobush. It is native to the deserts of the southwestern United States from the Mojave Desert in California to Utah.

🌳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 Many-toothed Dalea?

Plant Many-toothed 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.

Where Is the Many-toothed Dalea Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Many-toothed Dalea?

Many-toothed Dalea (Psorothamnus polydenius) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Psorothamnus genus. Many-toothed Dalea is native to the deserts of the southwestern United States from the Mojave Desert in California to Utah. Many-toothed Dalea is also known as Dalea polydenia, Parosela polydenia.

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

Leaf size: approximately 1.5 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Many-toothed Dalea?

Water a young or newly planted Many-toothed 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 Many-toothed Dalea Need?

Many-toothed Dalea thrives in full sun.

Light Requirement

Full sun

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Many-toothed Dalea Prefer?

Psorothamnus polydenius tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Many-toothed Dalea prefers humidity levels of 20–60%.

Temperature

50–90°F

Humidity

20–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Many-toothed Dalea?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Many-toothed Dalea?

Feed Many-toothed 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 Many-toothed 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.

Many-toothed 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 Many-toothed Dalea?

Many-toothed 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 Many-toothed Dalea?

Prune Many-toothed 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 Many-toothed Dalea in Winter?

Many-toothed 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 Many-toothed Dalea?

Many-toothed 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 Many-toothed Dalea Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Many-toothed 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 Many-toothed Dalea?

Many-toothed 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 Many-toothed Dalea Need?

Many-toothed Dalea grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Many-toothed Dalea is native to the deserts of the southwestern United States from the Mojave Desert in California to Utah. In cooler regions, grow Many-toothed Dalea as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Many-toothed 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.

Many-toothed 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 polydenius (Torr.) Rydb., family Fabaceae (first published in N. Amer. Fl. 24: 46 (1919)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Many-toothed 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.

PlantoScan app icon

Identify Plants Like the
Many-toothed Dalea Instantly

Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Free

to download

iOS & Android

platforms

Light & dark

mode

100,000+

species