Photo: JessicaCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Calycine Rose-gentian Plant Care
Sabatia calycina (Lam.) A.Heller
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With vibrant magenta petals that create a striking contrast against its deep green leaves, Sabatia calycina is a showstopper native to the southeastern United States. Its rarity and unique coloration make it highly sought after by plant collectors looking to add a pop of color to their gardens.
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Calycine Rose-gentian?
Water Calycine Rose-gentian 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.
Where Is the Calycine Rose-gentian Native To?
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Aruba
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Canada
- Cayman Islands
- Cuba
- Curaçao
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Grenada
- Guadeloupe
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Martinique
- Mexico
- Puerto Rico
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- United States
- Virgin Islands, British
- Virgin Islands, U.S.
What Is the Calycine Rose-gentian?
Calycine Rose-gentian (Sabatia calycina) belongs to the Gentianaceae family within the Sabatia genus. Calycine Rose-gentian is native to North America and the Caribbean.
Calycine Rose-gentian displays an upright, branching perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Calycine Rose-gentian produces showy, star-shaped flowers in pink, purple, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Calycine Rose-gentian?
Sabatia calycina 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 Calycine Rose-gentian Need?
Calycine Rose-gentian thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Calycine Rose-gentian Prefer?
Sabatia calycina grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Calycine Rose-gentian prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Calycine Rose-gentian?
Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Calycine Rose-gentian to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Calycine Rose-gentian?
Feed Calycine Rose-gentian 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 Calycine Rose-gentian?
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 Calycine Rose-gentian?
Calycine Rose-gentian 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 Calycine Rose-gentian Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Calycine Rose-gentian, 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 Calycine Rose-gentian?
Calycine Rose-gentian 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 Calycine Rose-gentian Need?
Calycine Rose-gentian grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Calycine Rose-gentian is native to North America and the Caribbean.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Calycine Rose-gentian 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.
Calycine Rose-gentian 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 calycina (Lam.) A.Heller, family Gentianaceae (first published in Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 21: 24 (1894)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Calycine Rose-gentian, 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: Jessica, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 11b, 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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