Gum Thapsia Plant Care
Thapsia gummifera Spreng.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Thapsia gummifera is a species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae, native to the western Mediterranean; Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. It has been proposed as a candidate for the plant known in antiquity as silphium and gone extinct in Libya in the 5th century.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Gum Thapsia?
Water Gum Thapsia 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 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Gum Thapsia Native To?
What Is the Gum Thapsia?
Gum Thapsia (Thapsia gummifera) belongs to the Apiaceae family within the Thapsia genus. Gum Thapsia is native to the western Mediterranean. Gum Thapsia is also known as Carrot Tree.
Gum Thapsia displays a clump-forming perennial herb growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Gum Thapsia produces small clusters of white or yellow flowers in umbrella-shaped inflorescences.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Gum Thapsia?
Thapsia gummifera 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 Gum Thapsia Need?
Gum Thapsia thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Gum Thapsia Prefer?
Thapsia gummifera grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Gum Thapsia prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Gum Thapsia?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Gum Thapsia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Gum Thapsia?
Feed Gum Thapsia 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 Gum Thapsia?
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 Gum Thapsia?
Gum Thapsia can be propagated through seeds, division of root clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to thapsia maxima plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Gum Thapsia Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic to humans and pets, especially the sap
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 Gum Thapsia?
Gum Thapsia is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, caterpillars. 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 Gum Thapsia Need?
Gum Thapsia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Gum Thapsia is native to the western Mediterranean. In cooler regions, grow Gum Thapsia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Gum Thapsia 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 Thapsia genus — compare its care with other Thapsia species on PlantoScan.
Thapsia is part of the Apiaceae plant family — browse all Apiaceae genera and species.
Gum Thapsia 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: Thapsia gummifera Spreng., family Apiaceae (first published in Sp. Umbell. : 31 (1818)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Gum Thapsia is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, 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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