Socotra fan flower Plant Care
Scaevola socotraensis St.John
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Scaevola socotraensis is a unique plant known for its distinctive silver-grey leaves that are shaped like spoons. This rare species is native to the island of Socotra in Yemen and is prized by plant enthusiasts for its striking appearance and rarity in cultivation.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Socotra fan flower?
Water Socotra fan flower 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 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Socotra fan flower Native To?
What Is the Socotra fan flower?
Socotra fan flower (Scaevola socotraensis) belongs to the Goodeniaceae family within the Scaevola genus. Socotra fan flower is native to Socotra off the coast of mainland Yemen.
Socotra fan flower displays a low spreading groundcover growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Socotra fan flower produces fan-shaped flowers in shades of blue, purple, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Socotra fan flower?
Scaevola socotraensis 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 Socotra fan flower Need?
Socotra fan flower thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Socotra fan flower Prefer?
Scaevola socotraensis grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Socotra fan flower 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 Socotra fan flower?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Socotra fan flower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Socotra fan flower?
Feed Socotra fan flower 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 Socotra fan flower?
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 Socotra fan flower?
Socotra fan flower can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to beach cabbage plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Socotra fan flower Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Socotra fan flower, 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 Socotra fan flower?
Socotra fan flower 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.
Keep exploring plants
Socotra fan flower 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 Scaevola genus — compare its care with other Scaevola species on PlantoScan.
Scaevola is part of the Goodeniaceae plant family — browse all Goodeniaceae genera and species.
Socotra fan flower thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Scaevola Species
Other Scaevola species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Scaevola socotraensis St.John, family Goodeniaceae (first published in Webbia 17: 45 (1962)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Socotra fan flower, 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.
- 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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