California Checkerbloom Plant Care
Sidalcea calycosa M.E.Jones
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Sidalcea calycosa is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family known by the common names annual checkerbloom, checker mallow, and vernal pool checkerbloom.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to part shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for California Checkerbloom?
Water California Checkerbloom every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to part shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the California Checkerbloom?
California Checkerbloom (Sidalcea calycosa) belongs to the Malvaceae family within the Sidalcea genus.
California Checkerbloom displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. California Checkerbloom produces spikes of small, pink to purple flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a California Checkerbloom?
Sidalcea calycosa 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 Checkerbloom Need?
California Checkerbloom thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the California Checkerbloom Prefer?
Sidalcea calycosa grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. California Checkerbloom prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a California Checkerbloom?
Rich, moist, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for California Checkerbloom to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a California Checkerbloom?
Feed California Checkerbloom 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 Checkerbloom?
Divide and 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 Checkerbloom?
California Checkerbloom can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to field checkerbloom plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the California Checkerbloom Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list California Checkerbloom, 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 Checkerbloom?
California Checkerbloom is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, leafhoppers. 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 Checkerbloom Need?
California Checkerbloom grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow California Checkerbloom as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
California Checkerbloom 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 Sidalcea genus — compare its care with other Sidalcea species on PlantoScan.
Sidalcea is part of the Malvaceae plant family — browse all Malvaceae genera and species.
California Checkerbloom thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Sidalcea Species
Other Sidalcea species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Sidalcea calycosa M.E.Jones, family Malvaceae (first published in Amer. Naturalist 17(2): 875 (1883)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list California Checkerbloom, 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.
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