Narrowleaf Wire Lettuce Plant Care

Narrowleaf Wire Lettuce (Stephanomeria tenuifolia) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Stephanomeria genus. Narrowleaf Wire Lettuce is also known as Wire Lettuce, Jamesia pauciflora, Lygodesmia minor.

Narrowleaf Wire Lettuce displays an upright, branching shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Narrowleaf Wire Lettuce produces small daisy-like flowers in pink, purple, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Narrowleaf Wire Lettuce 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.

Narrowleaf Wire Lettuce thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Stephanomeria tenuifolia tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Narrowleaf Wire Lettuce prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy soil with some organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Narrowleaf Wire Lettuce to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Narrowleaf Wire Lettuce 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 some organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Narrowleaf Wire Lettuce 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.

Narrowleaf Wire Lettuce can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 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.

Prune Narrowleaf Wire Lettuce 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.

Narrowleaf Wire Lettuce 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.

Narrowleaf Wire Lettuce can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to chicory wirelettuce plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Narrowleaf Wire Lettuce 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.

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