California Figwort Plant Care
Scrophularia californica Cham. & Schltdl.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Scrophularia californica is a flowering plant in the figwort family which is known by the common names California figwort and California bee plant.
Every 7–10 days
Partial shade to full sun
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for California Figwort?
Water California Figwort every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial shade to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the California Figwort?
California Figwort (Scrophularia californica) belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family within the Scrophularia genus. California Figwort is also known as California Bee Plant.
California Figwort displays an upright, bushy perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. California Figwort produces small tubular flowers in shades of red, purple, or yellow.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a California Figwort?
Scrophularia californica 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 California Figwort Need?
California Figwort thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the California Figwort Prefer?
Scrophularia californica grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. California Figwort prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a California Figwort?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for California Figwort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a California Figwort?
Feed California Figwort 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 California Figwort?
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 California Figwort?
California Figwort can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to scrophularia atrata plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the California Figwort Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list California Figwort, 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 California Figwort?
California Figwort is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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 California Figwort Need?
California Figwort grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow California Figwort as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
California Figwort 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 Scrophularia genus — compare its care with other Scrophularia species on PlantoScan.
Scrophularia is part of the Scrophulariaceae plant family — browse all Scrophulariaceae genera and species.
California Figwort thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Scrophularia Species
Other Scrophularia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Scrophularia californica Cham. & Schltdl., family Scrophulariaceae (first published in Linnaea 2: 585 (1827)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list California Figwort, 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 12a, 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.
Identify Plants Like the
California Figwort Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species