Schizocarphus nervosus Plant Care
Schizocarphus nervosus (Burch.) van der Merwe
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Schizocarphus is a monotypic genus of bulbous flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae. The sole species Schizocarphus nervosus is found in Africa, from Tanzania south to South Africa.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
65–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Schizocarphus nervosus?
Water Schizocarphus nervosus every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 65–75°F (18–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Schizocarphus nervosus Native To?
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Republic of the Congo
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Schizocarphus nervosus?
Schizocarphus nervosus (Schizocarphus nervosus) belongs to the Asparagaceae family within the Schizocarphus genus. Schizocarphus nervosus is native to Africa, from Tanzania south to South Africa.
Schizocarphus nervosus displays a clumping perennial herb growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Schizocarphus nervosus produces small white or pink bell-shaped flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Schizocarphus nervosus?
Schizocarphus nervosus 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 Schizocarphus nervosus Need?
Schizocarphus nervosus thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Schizocarphus nervosus in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Schizocarphus nervosus Prefer?
Schizocarphus nervosus grows best at temperatures of 65–75°F. Schizocarphus nervosus prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
65–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Schizocarphus nervosus?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added peat moss and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Schizocarphus nervosus to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Schizocarphus nervosus?
Feed Schizocarphus nervosus 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 Schizocarphus nervosus?
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 Schizocarphus nervosus?
Schizocarphus nervosus can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets.
Is the Schizocarphus nervosus Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Schizocarphus nervosus, 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 Schizocarphus nervosus?
Schizocarphus nervosus is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects. 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 Schizocarphus nervosus Need?
Schizocarphus nervosus grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Schizocarphus nervosus is native to Africa, from Tanzania south to South Africa. In cooler regions, grow Schizocarphus nervosus as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Schizocarphus nervosus 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 Schizocarphus genus — compare its care with other Schizocarphus species on PlantoScan.
Schizocarphus is part of the Asparagaceae plant family — browse all Asparagaceae genera and species.
Schizocarphus nervosus 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: Schizocarphus nervosus (Burch.) van der Merwe, family Asparagaceae (first published in Fl. Pl. South Africa 23: t. 904 (1943)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Schizocarphus nervosus, 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 13b, 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.
