Psychrophila obtusa Plant Care
Psychrophila obtusa (Cheeseman) W.A.Weber
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Every 3–5 days
Partial to full shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Psychrophila obtusa?
Plant Psychrophila obtusa in partial to full shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 3–5 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Psychrophila obtusa?
Psychrophila obtusa (Psychrophila obtusa) belongs to the Ranunculaceae family within the Psychrophila genus.
Psychrophila obtusa displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Psychrophila obtusa produces delicate, small white flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Psychrophila obtusa?
Water a young or newly planted Psychrophila obtusa 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.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–5 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Psychrophila obtusa Need?
Psychrophila obtusa thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Psychrophila obtusa in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial to full shade
100–500 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Psychrophila obtusa Prefer?
Psychrophila obtusa tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Psychrophila obtusa prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Psychrophila obtusa?
Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Psychrophila obtusa to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Psychrophila obtusa?
Feed Psychrophila obtusa 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 Psychrophila obtusa?
Choose a spot with partial to full shade and moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Psychrophila obtusa 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 Psychrophila obtusa?
Psychrophila obtusa 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 Psychrophila obtusa?
Prune Psychrophila obtusa 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 Psychrophila obtusa in Winter?
Psychrophila obtusa 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 Psychrophila obtusa?
Psychrophila obtusa can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to psychrophila appendiculata plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Psychrophila obtusa Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Psychrophila obtusa, 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 Psychrophila obtusa?
Psychrophila obtusa is susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails. 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 Psychrophila obtusa Need?
Psychrophila obtusa grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Psychrophila obtusa as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Psychrophila obtusa 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 Psychrophila genus — compare its care with other Psychrophila species on PlantoScan.
Psychrophila is part of the Ranunculaceae plant family — browse all Ranunculaceae genera and species.
Psychrophila obtusa copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Psychrophila obtusa (Cheeseman) W.A.Weber, family Ranunculaceae (first published in Phytologia 51: 375 (1982)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Psychrophila obtusa, 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.
