Fairy Lanterns Plant Care

Fairy Lanterns (Thismia rodwayi) belongs to the Burmanniaceae family within the Thismia genus. Fairy Lanterns is native to the Australian states of Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales, and in several locations in New Zealand.

Fairy Lanterns displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Fairy Lanterns produces unique, small, often hidden underground.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Fairy Lanterns every 7–10 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.

Fairy Lanterns thrives in filtered sunlight or shade. Avoid placing Fairy Lanterns in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Thismia rodwayi tolerates temperatures of 65–75°F. Fairy Lanterns prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining sandy soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Fairy Lanterns to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Fairy Lanterns every 2 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 filtered sunlight or shade and well-draining sandy soil with high organic matter content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Fairy Lanterns is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

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.

Fairy Lanterns can spread to about 1 ft (0.2 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.2 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 Fairy Lanterns 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.

Fairy Lanterns is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Fairy Lanterns can be propagated through seeds, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to thismia abei plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Fairy Lanterns is susceptible to mealybugs, spider mites. 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.

Fairy Lanterns grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Fairy Lanterns is native to the Australian states of Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales, and in several locations in New Zealand. In cooler regions, grow Fairy Lanterns as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.