Scorzonera vaginata Plant Care
Scorzonera vaginata Bertol.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Scorzonera judaica, commonly called Jordanian viper's grass, Judean viper's grass, or what was earlier known as salsify, is a species of geophyte of the family Asteraceae with yellow flowers. It is native to the eastern Mediterranean as far as Afghanistan.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Scorzonera vaginata?
Water Scorzonera vaginata 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.
Where Is the Scorzonera vaginata Native To?
What Is the Scorzonera vaginata?
Scorzonera vaginata (Scorzonera vaginata) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Scorzonera genus. Scorzonera vaginata is native to the eastern Mediterranean as far as Afghanistan.
Scorzonera vaginata displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Scorzonera vaginata produces small yellow daisy-like flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Scorzonera vaginata?
Scorzonera vaginata 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 vaginata Need?
Scorzonera vaginata thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Scorzonera vaginata Prefer?
Scorzonera vaginata grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Scorzonera vaginata prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Scorzonera vaginata?
Well-draining sandy loam with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Scorzonera vaginata to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Scorzonera vaginata?
Feed Scorzonera vaginata 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 vaginata?
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 vaginata?
Scorzonera vaginata 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 vaginata Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Scorzonera vaginata, 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 vaginata?
Scorzonera vaginata 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 vaginata Need?
Scorzonera vaginata grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Scorzonera vaginata is native to the eastern Mediterranean as far as Afghanistan. In cooler regions, grow Scorzonera vaginata as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Scorzonera vaginata 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 vaginata 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 vaginata Bertol., family Asteraceae (first published in Misc. Bot. ii. 235) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Scorzonera vaginata, 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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