Sphaerolobium daviesioides Plant Care
Sphaerolobium daviesioides Turcz.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Sphaerolobium daviesioides, commonly known as prickly globe-pea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae and is endemic to the south of Western Australia. It is an erect, rigid, leafless shrub with orange or yellow and red flowers from August to October.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Sphaerolobium daviesioides?
Plant Sphaerolobium daviesioides in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Sphaerolobium daviesioides Native To?
What Is the Sphaerolobium daviesioides?
Sphaerolobium daviesioides (Sphaerolobium daviesioides) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Sphaerolobium genus. Sphaerolobium daviesioides is native to the south of Western Australia.
Sphaerolobium daviesioides displays a low spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Sphaerolobium daviesioides produces small yellow pea-like flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 1.5 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Sphaerolobium daviesioides?
Water a young or newly planted Sphaerolobium daviesioides every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Sphaerolobium daviesioides Need?
Sphaerolobium daviesioides thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Sphaerolobium daviesioides Prefer?
Sphaerolobium daviesioides tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Sphaerolobium daviesioides prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Sphaerolobium daviesioides?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Sphaerolobium daviesioides to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Sphaerolobium daviesioides?
Feed Sphaerolobium daviesioides every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.
Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Sphaerolobium daviesioides?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Sphaerolobium daviesioides is suited to USDA Zone 12a.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Sphaerolobium daviesioides?
Sphaerolobium daviesioides can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.
Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Sphaerolobium daviesioides?
Prune Sphaerolobium daviesioides while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.
How Do You Care for a Sphaerolobium daviesioides in Winter?
Sphaerolobium daviesioides is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Sphaerolobium daviesioides?
Sphaerolobium daviesioides can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to sphaerolobium acanthos plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Sphaerolobium daviesioides Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Sphaerolobium daviesioides, 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 Sphaerolobium daviesioides?
Sphaerolobium daviesioides is susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, spider mites. 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 Sphaerolobium daviesioides Need?
Sphaerolobium daviesioides grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Sphaerolobium daviesioides is native to the south of Western Australia. In cooler regions, grow Sphaerolobium daviesioides as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Sphaerolobium daviesioides 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 Sphaerolobium genus — compare its care with other Sphaerolobium species on PlantoScan.
Sphaerolobium is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Sphaerolobium daviesioides thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Sphaerolobium Species
Other Sphaerolobium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Sphaerolobium daviesioides Turcz., family Fabaceae (first published in Bull. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou 26(I): 266 (1853)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Sphaerolobium daviesioides, 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.
