Howard's scolosanthus Plant Care
Scolosanthus howardii Borhidi
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's unique feature lies in its striking silvery-gray foliage, giving it an otherworldly appearance. Originating from the arid regions of Southwest USA, Scolosanthus howardii is highly sought after by plant collectors for its rare and distinctive coloration that adds a touch of elegance to any garden or collection.
Every 7–14 days
Partial shade to full shade
60–80°F
30–50%
At a glance
How do you care for Howard's scolosanthus?
Plant Howard's scolosanthus in partial shade to full shade and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C). Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Howard's scolosanthus Native To?
What Is the Howard's scolosanthus?
Howard's scolosanthus (Scolosanthus howardii) belongs to the Rubiaceae family within the Scolosanthus genus. Howard's scolosanthus is native to Jamaica. Howard's scolosanthus is also known as Howard's desert parsley.
Howard's scolosanthus displays a low spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Howard's scolosanthus produces small white clustered flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Howard's scolosanthus?
Water a young or newly planted Howard's scolosanthus every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Howard's scolosanthus Need?
Howard's scolosanthus thrives in partial shade to full shade. Avoid placing Howard's scolosanthus in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Howard's scolosanthus Prefer?
Scolosanthus howardii tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Howard's scolosanthus prefers humidity levels of 30–50%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
30–50%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Howard's scolosanthus?
Well-draining, acidic soil mix with added peat moss and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Howard's scolosanthus to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Howard's scolosanthus?
Feed Howard's scolosanthus every month during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.
Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.
Fertilizing
Every month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Howard's scolosanthus?
Choose a spot with partial shade to full shade and well-draining, acidic soil mix with added peat moss and perlite. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Howard's scolosanthus?
Howard's scolosanthus can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.
Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Howard's scolosanthus?
Prune Howard's scolosanthus while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.
How Do You Care for a Howard's scolosanthus in Winter?
Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.
Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.
How Do You Propagate a Howard's scolosanthus?
Howard's scolosanthus can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.
Is the Howard's scolosanthus Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Howard's scolosanthus, 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 Howard's scolosanthus?
Howard's scolosanthus is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, 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.
Keep exploring plants
Howard's scolosanthus 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 Scolosanthus genus — compare its care with other Scolosanthus species on PlantoScan.
Scolosanthus is part of the Rubiaceae plant family — browse all Rubiaceae genera and species.
Howard's scolosanthus copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Scolosanthus howardii Borhidi, family Rubiaceae (first published in Acta Bot. Hung. 29: 199 (1983)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Howard's scolosanthus, 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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