Photo: Lollie-Pop from Cape Town, South AfricaCC BY 2.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Purple Berkheya Plant Care
Berkheya purpurea (DC.) Mast.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant is characterized by its striking purple flowers that bloom in the late summer. Originating from South Africa, Berkheya purpurea is highly sought after by plant collectors for its unique color and ability to attract pollinators to the garden. Its spiky foliage adds an interesting texture to any landscape.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Purple Berkheya?
Water Purple Berkheya every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Purple Berkheya Native To?
What Is the Purple Berkheya?
Purple Berkheya (Berkheya purpurea) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Berkheya genus. Purple Berkheya is native to southern Africa. Purple Berkheya is also known as Crocodilodes purpureum, Stobaea purpurea.
Purple Berkheya displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Purple Berkheya produces bright yellow daisy-like flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Purple Berkheya?
Berkheya purpurea 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 Purple Berkheya Need?
Purple Berkheya thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Purple Berkheya Prefer?
Berkheya purpurea grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Purple Berkheya prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Purple Berkheya?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Purple Berkheya to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Purple Berkheya?
Feed Purple Berkheya 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 Purple Berkheya?
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 Purple Berkheya?
Purple Berkheya can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to rep. bot. soc. exch. club brit. isles plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Purple Berkheya Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Purple Berkheya, 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 Purple Berkheya?
Purple Berkheya 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Purple Berkheya Need?
Purple Berkheya grows outdoors in USDA Zone 6a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 6a. Purple Berkheya is native to southern Africa.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 6a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Purple Berkheya 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 Berkheya genus — compare its care with other Berkheya species on PlantoScan.
Berkheya is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Purple Berkheya 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: Berkheya purpurea (DC.) Mast., family Asteraceae (first published in Gard. Chron. ,n.s., 38: 1262 (1872)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Purple Berkheya, 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.
- Photo: Lollie-Pop from Cape Town, South Africa, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 6a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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.
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