Desert Plume Plant Care
Stanleya elata M.E.Jones
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Stanleya elata is a species of flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae known by the common name Panamint princesplume. It is native to the desert mountains of eastern California and western Nevada, where it grows in rocky and scrubby habitat types.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun
50–85°F
30–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Desert Plume?
Water Desert Plume every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C) and 30–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Desert Plume Native To?
What Is the Desert Plume?
Desert Plume (Stanleya elata) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Stanleya genus. Desert Plume is native to the desert mountains of eastern California and western Nevada. Desert Plume is also known as Paperclip Plant.
Desert Plume displays a tall upright perennial growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Desert Plume produces tall spikes of yellow flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Desert Plume?
Stanleya elata 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 Desert Plume Need?
Desert Plume thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Desert Plume Prefer?
Stanleya elata grows best at temperatures of 50–85°F. Desert Plume prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
30–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Desert Plume?
Well-draining sandy soil with good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Desert Plume to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Desert Plume?
Feed Desert Plume 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 Desert Plume?
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 Desert Plume?
Desert Plume can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to prince's plume plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Desert Plume Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Desert Plume, 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 Desert Plume?
Desert Plume is susceptible to aphids, cabbage worms, flea beetles. 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 Desert Plume Need?
Desert Plume grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Desert Plume is native to the desert mountains of eastern California and western Nevada. In cooler regions, grow Desert Plume as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Desert Plume 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 Stanleya genus — compare its care with other Stanleya species on PlantoScan.
Stanleya is part of the Brassicaceae plant family — browse all Brassicaceae genera and species.
Desert Plume 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: Stanleya elata M.E.Jones, family Brassicaceae (first published in Zoe 3: 16 (1893)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Desert Plume, 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Desert Plume Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species