Benguella Tinnea (Tinnea benguellensis)

Image: AI generated

Benguella Tinnea Plant Care

Tinnea benguellensis Gürke

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

This plant is easily recognizable by its unique red and green striped leaves, which add a bold pop of color to any garden. Originating from the Benguela Province in Angola, Tinnea benguellensis is highly sought after by plant collectors for its rare and striking foliage.

🌿Shrubs🌱Herbs
Water

Every 4–7 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Benguella Tinnea?

Plant Benguella Tinnea in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young shrub every 4–7 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

What Is the Benguella Tinnea?

Benguella Tinnea (Tinnea benguellensis) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Tinnea genus. Benguella Tinnea is native to Angola, Namibia. Benguella Tinnea is also known as Benguella Daisy.

Benguella Tinnea displays a low spreading groundcover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Benguella Tinnea produces small purple tubular flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Benguella Tinnea?

Water a young or newly planted Benguella Tinnea every 4–7 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.

Watering Frequency

Every 4–7 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Benguella Tinnea Need?

Benguella Tinnea thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Benguella Tinnea Prefer?

Tinnea benguellensis tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Benguella Tinnea prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Benguella Tinnea?

Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter like compost. Good drainage is essential for Benguella Tinnea to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Benguella Tinnea?

Feed Benguella Tinnea 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.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Benguella Tinnea?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter like compost. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Benguella Tinnea is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Benguella Tinnea?

Benguella Tinnea can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 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.

How Do You Prune a Benguella Tinnea?

Prune Benguella Tinnea 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.

How Do You Care for a Benguella Tinnea in Winter?

Benguella Tinnea 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.

How Do You Propagate a Benguella Tinnea?

Benguella Tinnea can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to spanish moss plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Benguella Tinnea Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Benguella Tinnea, 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 Benguella Tinnea?

Benguella Tinnea 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 Benguella Tinnea Need?

Benguella Tinnea grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Benguella Tinnea is native to Angola, Namibia. In cooler regions, grow Benguella Tinnea as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Benguella Tinnea 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 Tinnea genus — compare its care with other Tinnea species on PlantoScan.

Tinnea is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.

Benguella Tinnea thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Tinnea Species

Other Tinnea species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Tinnea benguellensis Gürke, family Lamiaceae (first published in Kunene-Sambesi Exped. : 352 (1903)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Benguella Tinnea, 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: AI-generated illustration (labelled on the image).
  • 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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