Photo: Frank KäferCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Vegetable Sheep Plant Care
Raoulia australis Hook.f. ex Raoul
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This unusual plant features tiny, tightly packed gray-green leaves that form a dense mat. Hailing from New Zealand, Raoulia australis is sought after by plant collectors for its unique appearance and ability to thrive in rocky, dry environments. Its low-growing, carpet-like growth habit makes it a standout addition to rock gardens or alpine plantings.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Vegetable Sheep?
Water Vegetable Sheep every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Vegetable Sheep Native To?
What Is the Vegetable Sheep?
Vegetable Sheep (Raoulia australis) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Raoulia genus. Vegetable Sheep is native to New Zealand. Vegetable Sheep is also known as Australian Raoulia, Raoulia australis, Raoulia lutescens.
Vegetable Sheep displays a low mat-forming groundcover growth habit, reaching up to 0.1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Vegetable Sheep produces small daisy-like flowers in white or yellow clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 0.5 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Vegetable Sheep?
Raoulia australis requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Vegetable Sheep Need?
Vegetable Sheep thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Vegetable Sheep Prefer?
Raoulia australis grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Vegetable Sheep prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Vegetable Sheep?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Vegetable Sheep to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Vegetable Sheep?
Feed Vegetable Sheep every month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Vegetable Sheep?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Vegetable Sheep?
Vegetable Sheep can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to smooth raoulia plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Vegetable Sheep Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Vegetable Sheep, 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 Vegetable Sheep?
Vegetable Sheep is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. 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 Vegetable Sheep Need?
Vegetable Sheep grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 7a. Vegetable Sheep is native to New Zealand.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 7a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Vegetable Sheep 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 Raoulia genus — compare its care with other Raoulia species on PlantoScan.
Raoulia is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Vegetable Sheep 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: Raoulia australis Hook.f. ex Raoul, family Asteraceae (first published in Choix Pl. Nouv.-Zel. 20. t. 15. 1846 [Jan 1846]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Vegetable Sheep, 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: Frank Käfer, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 7a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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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