Hairy Bassia Plant Care

Hairy Bassia (Spirobassia hirsuta) belongs to the Amaranthaceae family within the Spirobassia genus. Hairy Bassia is native to temperate Eurasia, ranging from Spain to Germany and Italy, and from Greece to Ukraine, the Caucasus, western Siberia, Central Asia, Xinjiang, and Iran.

Hairy Bassia displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Hairy Bassia produces small clusters of tiny white or pink flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Hairy Bassia every 7–10 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.

Hairy Bassia thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Hairy Bassia in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Spirobassia hirsuta tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Hairy Bassia prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Hairy Bassia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Hairy Bassia 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.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with bright indirect light and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Hairy Bassia is suited to USDA Zone 4a – 9b.

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.

Hairy Bassia can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 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.

Prune Hairy Bassia 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.

Hairy Bassia is hardy down to USDA zone 4a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Hairy Bassia can be propagated through stem cuttings, division.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Hairy Bassia 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.

Hairy Bassia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. Hairy Bassia is native to temperate Eurasia, ranging from Spain to Germany and Italy, and from Greece to Ukraine, the Caucasus, western Siberia, Central Asia, Xinjiang, and Iran.