Photo: Hannah McCurdy-AdamsCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Virginia Meadow Beauty Plant Care
Rhexia virginica L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Rhexia virginica, also known as Virginia meadowbeauty, is a striking perennial plant with vibrant pink flowers that bloom in late summer. Its unique four-petaled blooms are a favorite among pollinators and gardeners alike.
Every 3–5 days
Partial shade to full sun
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Virginia Meadow Beauty?
Water Virginia Meadow Beauty every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial shade to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Virginia Meadow Beauty Native To?
What Is the Virginia Meadow Beauty?
Virginia Meadow Beauty (Rhexia virginica) belongs to the Melastomataceae family within the Rhexia genus. Virginia Meadow Beauty is native to much of eastern North America. Virginia Meadow Beauty is also known as Meadow Beauty.
Virginia Meadow Beauty displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Virginia Meadow Beauty produces showy pink or purple flowers with four petals.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Virginia Meadow Beauty?
Rhexia virginica requires watering every 3–5 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 3–5 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Virginia Meadow Beauty Need?
Virginia Meadow Beauty thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Virginia Meadow Beauty Prefer?
Rhexia virginica grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Virginia Meadow Beauty prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Virginia Meadow Beauty?
Moist, well-draining acidic soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Virginia Meadow Beauty to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Virginia Meadow Beauty?
Feed Virginia Meadow Beauty every 2 months 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 2 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Virginia Meadow Beauty?
Repot every 1-2 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 Virginia Meadow Beauty?
Virginia Meadow Beauty can be propagated through seeds, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to rhexia alifanus plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Virginia Meadow Beauty Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Virginia Meadow Beauty, 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 Virginia Meadow Beauty?
Virginia Meadow Beauty is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. 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 Virginia Meadow Beauty Need?
Virginia Meadow Beauty grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. Virginia Meadow Beauty is native to much of eastern North America.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 4a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Virginia Meadow Beauty 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 Rhexia genus — compare its care with other Rhexia species on PlantoScan.
Rhexia is part of the Melastomataceae plant family — browse all Melastomataceae genera and species.
Virginia Meadow Beauty 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: Rhexia virginica L., family Melastomataceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 346 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Virginia Meadow Beauty, 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: Hannah McCurdy-Adams, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 4a – 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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