False Flax Plant Care

False Flax (Stackhousia umbellata) belongs to the Celastraceae family within the Stackhousia genus.

False Flax displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. False Flax produces small white or pink clustered flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted False Flax 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.

False Flax thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Stackhousia umbellata tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. False Flax prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for False Flax to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed False Flax 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 full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

False Flax 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.

False Flax 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 False Flax 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.

False Flax 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.

False Flax can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets.

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

False Flax 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.

False Flax grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow False Flax as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.