Scorzonera acuminata Plant Care
Scorzonera acuminata Boiss.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Scorzonera humilis, the viper's-grass, is a species of perennial plant. In Britain it is a rare plant, restricted to moist meadows, in Dorset and Warwick in England, and in South Wales.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Scorzonera acuminata?
Water Scorzonera acuminata 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 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Scorzonera acuminata?
Scorzonera acuminata (Scorzonera acuminata) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Scorzonera genus.
Scorzonera acuminata displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Scorzonera acuminata produces small yellow daisy-like flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Scorzonera acuminata?
Scorzonera acuminata 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 Scorzonera acuminata Need?
Scorzonera acuminata thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Scorzonera acuminata Prefer?
Scorzonera acuminata grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Scorzonera acuminata prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Scorzonera acuminata?
Well-draining sandy loam with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Scorzonera acuminata to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Scorzonera acuminata?
Feed Scorzonera acuminata 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 Scorzonera acuminata?
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 Scorzonera acuminata?
Scorzonera acuminata can be propagated through seeds, division of root clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to black salsify plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Scorzonera acuminata Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Scorzonera acuminata, 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 Scorzonera acuminata?
Scorzonera acuminata is susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails. 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 Scorzonera acuminata Need?
Scorzonera acuminata grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Scorzonera acuminata as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Scorzonera acuminata 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 Scorzonera genus — compare its care with other Scorzonera species on PlantoScan.
Scorzonera is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Scorzonera acuminata thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Scorzonera Species
Other Scorzonera species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Scorzonera acuminata Boiss., family Asteraceae (first published in Boiss., Fl. Orient. 3. 1875. 769 1875) — World Flora Online record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Scorzonera acuminata, 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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