Spachea herbert-smithii Plant Care
Spachea herbert-smithii (Rusby) Cuatrec.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Spachea elegans is a species of flowering plants in the family Malpighiaceae. It is native to Cuba, Panama and northern South America.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
65–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Spachea herbert-smithii?
Water Spachea herbert-smithii every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Spachea herbert-smithii Native To?
What Is the Spachea herbert-smithii?
Spachea herbert-smithii (Spachea herbert-smithii) belongs to the Malpighiaceae family within the Spachea genus. Spachea herbert-smithii is native to Cuba, Panama and northern South America.
Spachea herbert-smithii displays a vining, climbing shrub growth habit, reaching up to 5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Spachea herbert-smithii produces small, yellow flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Spachea herbert-smithii?
Spachea herbert-smithii 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 Spachea herbert-smithii Need?
Spachea herbert-smithii thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Spachea herbert-smithii in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Spachea herbert-smithii Prefer?
Spachea herbert-smithii grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Spachea herbert-smithii prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Spachea herbert-smithii?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Spachea herbert-smithii to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Spachea herbert-smithii?
Feed Spachea herbert-smithii 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 Spachea herbert-smithii?
Repot every 1-2 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 Spachea herbert-smithii?
Spachea herbert-smithii can be propagated through softwood cuttings, air layering, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to spachea correae plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Spachea herbert-smithii Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Spachea herbert-smithii, 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 Spachea herbert-smithii?
Spachea herbert-smithii is susceptible to spider mites, scale insects, aphids. 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 Spachea herbert-smithii Need?
Spachea herbert-smithii grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Spachea herbert-smithii is native to Cuba, Panama and northern South America. In cooler regions, grow Spachea herbert-smithii as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Spachea herbert-smithii 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 Spachea genus — compare its care with other Spachea species on PlantoScan.
Spachea is part of the Malpighiaceae plant family — browse all Malpighiaceae genera and species.
Spachea herbert-smithii thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Spachea herbert-smithii (Rusby) Cuatrec., family Malpighiaceae (first published in Webbia 13: 546 (1958)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Spachea herbert-smithii, 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 13b, 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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