Photo: Carl Axel Magnus LindmanPublic domainvia Wikimedia Commons
Alpine Saw-wort Plant Care
Saussurea alpina DC.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Saussurea alpina is a species of flowering plant belonging to the family Asteraceae.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Alpine Saw-wort?
Water Alpine Saw-wort every 7–10 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 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Alpine Saw-wort?
Alpine Saw-wort (Saussurea alpina) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Saussurea genus. Alpine Saw-wort is also known as Alpine Saussurea, Bennettia alpina, Centaurea saussurea.
Alpine Saw-wort displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Alpine Saw-wort produces large, showy purple composite flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Alpine Saw-wort?
Saussurea alpina requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Alpine Saw-wort Need?
Alpine Saw-wort thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Alpine Saw-wort Prefer?
Saussurea alpina grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Alpine Saw-wort prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Alpine Saw-wort?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Alpine Saw-wort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Alpine Saw-wort?
Feed Alpine Saw-wort 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 Alpine Saw-wort?
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 Alpine Saw-wort?
Alpine Saw-wort can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to american saussurea plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Alpine Saw-wort Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Alpine Saw-wort, 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 Alpine Saw-wort?
Alpine Saw-wort 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 Alpine Saw-wort Need?
Alpine Saw-wort grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Alpine Saw-wort as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Alpine Saw-wort 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 Saussurea genus — compare its care with other Saussurea species on PlantoScan.
Saussurea is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Alpine Saw-wort thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Saussurea Species
Other Saussurea species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Saussurea alpina DC., family Asteraceae (first published in Ann. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat. xvi.198 (1810)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Alpine Saw-wort, 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: Carl Axel Magnus Lindman, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- 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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