Arkansas Marsh-pink Plant Care
Sabatia arkansana J.S.Pringle & Witsell
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Sabatia arkansana, commonly known as Pelton's rose gentian, is an herbaceous annual in the gentian family. It was discovered in 2001 in several glades of the Ouachita Mountains in Saline County, Arkansas by John Pelton, a retired mechanic turned amateur photographer and naturalist.
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Arkansas Marsh-pink?
Water Arkansas Marsh-pink every 4–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Arkansas Marsh-pink?
Arkansas Marsh-pink (Sabatia arkansana) belongs to the Gentianaceae family within the Sabatia genus.
Arkansas Marsh-pink displays an upright, branching perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Arkansas Marsh-pink produces showy, star-shaped flowers in pink, purple, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Arkansas Marsh-pink?
Sabatia arkansana requires watering every 4–7 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 4–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Arkansas Marsh-pink Need?
Arkansas Marsh-pink thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Arkansas Marsh-pink Prefer?
Sabatia arkansana grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Arkansas Marsh-pink prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Arkansas Marsh-pink?
Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Arkansas Marsh-pink to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Arkansas Marsh-pink?
Feed Arkansas Marsh-pink every 6 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 6 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 Arkansas Marsh-pink?
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 Arkansas Marsh-pink?
Arkansas Marsh-pink can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to shortleaf sabatia plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Arkansas Marsh-pink Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Arkansas Marsh-pink, 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 Arkansas Marsh-pink?
Arkansas Marsh-pink 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 Arkansas Marsh-pink Need?
Arkansas Marsh-pink grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Arkansas Marsh-pink as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Arkansas Marsh-pink 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 Sabatia genus — compare its care with other Sabatia species on PlantoScan.
Sabatia is part of the Gentianaceae plant family — browse all Gentianaceae genera and species.
Arkansas Marsh-pink thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Sabatia Species
Other Sabatia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Sabatia arkansana J.S.Pringle & Witsell, family Gentianaceae (first published in Sida 21: 1250 (2005)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Arkansas Marsh-pink, 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.
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