Schizanthus humilis Plant Care
Schizanthus humilis hort. ex Steud.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Schizanthus pinnatus, called butterfly flower or poor man's orchid, names it shares with other members of its genus, is a species of flowering plant in the nightshade family, Solanaceae. It is native to Chile and naturalized elsewhere.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Schizanthus humilis?
Water Schizanthus humilis every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 3 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Schizanthus humilis Native To?
What Is the Schizanthus humilis?
Schizanthus humilis (Schizanthus humilis) belongs to the Solanaceae family within the Schizanthus genus. Schizanthus humilis is native to Chile and naturalized else.
Schizanthus humilis displays a bushy annual growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Schizanthus humilis produces colorful, orchid-like flowers in various shades.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Schizanthus humilis?
Schizanthus humilis 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 Schizanthus humilis Need?
Schizanthus humilis thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Schizanthus humilis Prefer?
Schizanthus humilis grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Schizanthus humilis prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Schizanthus humilis?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Schizanthus humilis to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Schizanthus humilis?
Feed Schizanthus humilis every 3 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 3 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 Schizanthus humilis?
Repot annually in 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 Schizanthus humilis?
Schizanthus humilis can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to butterfly flower plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Schizanthus humilis Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Schizanthus humilis, 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 Schizanthus humilis?
Schizanthus humilis is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, 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 Schizanthus humilis Need?
Schizanthus humilis grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Schizanthus humilis is native to Chile and naturalized else. In cooler regions, grow Schizanthus humilis as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Schizanthus humilis 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 Schizanthus genus — compare its care with other Schizanthus species on PlantoScan.
Schizanthus is part of the Solanaceae plant family — browse all Solanaceae genera and species.
Schizanthus humilis 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: Schizanthus humilis hort. ex Steud., family Solanaceae (first published in Nomencl. Bot. [Steudel], ed 2, 2: 530. 1841) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Schizanthus humilis, 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 13a, 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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