Photo: Michel LangeveldCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Yellow Navelwort Plant Care
Umbilicus luteus Webb & Berthel.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Umbilicus luteus, also known as Golden Pennywort, is a unique succulent plant with round, golden-yellow leaves that form a rosette shape. This plant is native to the Mediterranean region and is popular among plant enthusiasts for its striking color and easy care requirements.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect light
55–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Yellow Navelwort?
Water Yellow Navelwort every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 55–75°F (13–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Yellow Navelwort Native To?
What Is the Yellow Navelwort?
Yellow Navelwort (Umbilicus luteus) belongs to the Crassulaceae family within the Umbilicus genus. Yellow Navelwort is native to the Southern Balkans and southern Italy. Yellow Navelwort is also known as Yellow Penny.
Yellow Navelwort displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Yellow Navelwort produces small star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, white, or purple.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Yellow Navelwort?
Umbilicus luteus requires watering every 7–14 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 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Yellow Navelwort Need?
Yellow Navelwort thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Yellow Navelwort in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Yellow Navelwort Prefer?
Umbilicus luteus grows best at temperatures of 55–75°F. Yellow Navelwort prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
55–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Yellow Navelwort?
Well-draining sandy soil with added perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Yellow Navelwort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Yellow Navelwort?
Feed Yellow Navelwort every 2 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 2 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 Yellow Navelwort?
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 Yellow Navelwort?
Yellow Navelwort can be propagated through leaf cuttings, offsets.
Is the Yellow Navelwort Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Yellow Navelwort, 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 Yellow Navelwort?
Yellow Navelwort is susceptible to mealybugs, aphids. 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 Yellow Navelwort Need?
Yellow Navelwort grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Yellow Navelwort is native to the Southern Balkans and southern Italy.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Yellow Navelwort 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 Umbilicus genus (family Crassulaceae) — search all Umbilicus species in the plant lookup.
Yellow Navelwort 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: Umbilicus luteus Webb & Berthel., family Crassulaceae (first published in Hist. Nat. Iles Canaries 3(2; 1): 7 (1840)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Yellow Navelwort, 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: Michel Langeveld, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 10b, 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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