Pine Valley Hesperocnida Plant Care
Swallenia alexandrae (Swallen) Soderstr. & H.F.Decker
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Swallenia is a rare monotypic genus of plants in the grass family, found only in Death Valley National Park, California.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Pine Valley Hesperocnida?
Water Pine Valley Hesperocnida every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Pine Valley Hesperocnida?
Pine Valley Hesperocnida (Swallenia alexandrae) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Swallenia genus. Pine Valley Hesperocnida is also known as Pine Valley Desert-heather.
Pine Valley Hesperocnida displays a tall, clumping grass growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Pine Valley Hesperocnida produces small inconspicuous flowers on tall spikes.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Pine Valley Hesperocnida?
Swallenia alexandrae requires watering every 3–5 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 3–5 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Pine Valley Hesperocnida Need?
Pine Valley Hesperocnida thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Pine Valley Hesperocnida Prefer?
Swallenia alexandrae grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Pine Valley Hesperocnida prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Pine Valley Hesperocnida?
Well-draining sandy loam with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Pine Valley Hesperocnida to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Pine Valley Hesperocnida?
Feed Pine Valley Hesperocnida 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 Pine Valley Hesperocnida?
Repot every 1-2 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 Pine Valley Hesperocnida?
Pine Valley Hesperocnida can be propagated through division, seeds.
Is the Pine Valley Hesperocnida Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Pine Valley Hesperocnida, 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 Pine Valley Hesperocnida?
Pine Valley Hesperocnida is susceptible to aphids, grasshoppers, cutworms. 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 Pine Valley Hesperocnida Need?
Pine Valley Hesperocnida grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow Pine Valley Hesperocnida as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Pine Valley Hesperocnida 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 Swallenia genus — compare its care with other Swallenia species on PlantoScan.
Swallenia is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Pine Valley Hesperocnida 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: Swallenia alexandrae (Swallen) Soderstr. & H.F.Decker, family Poaceae (first published in Madroño 17: 88 (1963)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Pine Valley Hesperocnida, 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 13b, 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.
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