Velleia paradoxa Plant Care
Velleia paradoxa R.Br.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Goodenia paradoxa, commonly known as spur velleia or spur goodenia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Goodeniaceae, and is endemic to Australia. It is a perennial herb covered with soft hairs, and has egg-shaped to elliptic leaves with toothed edges and yellow flowers on an ascending flowering stem.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Velleia paradoxa?
Plant Velleia paradoxa in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Velleia paradoxa Native To?
What Is the Velleia paradoxa?
Velleia paradoxa (Velleia paradoxa) belongs to the Goodeniaceae family within the Velleia genus. Velleia paradoxa is native to Australia.
Velleia paradoxa displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Velleia paradoxa produces small, delicate blue or purple flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Velleia paradoxa?
Water a young or newly planted Velleia paradoxa 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.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Velleia paradoxa Need?
Velleia paradoxa thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Velleia paradoxa Prefer?
Velleia paradoxa tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Velleia paradoxa prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Velleia paradoxa?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Velleia paradoxa to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Velleia paradoxa?
Feed Velleia paradoxa 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 Velleia paradoxa?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Velleia paradoxa is suited to USDA Zone 12a.
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 Velleia paradoxa?
Velleia paradoxa can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 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 Velleia paradoxa?
Prune Velleia paradoxa 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 Velleia paradoxa in Winter?
Velleia paradoxa is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). 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 Velleia paradoxa?
Velleia paradoxa can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to raspwort plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Velleia paradoxa Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Velleia paradoxa, 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 Velleia paradoxa?
Velleia paradoxa 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 Velleia paradoxa Need?
Velleia paradoxa grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Velleia paradoxa is native to Australia. In cooler regions, grow Velleia paradoxa as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Velleia paradoxa 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 Velleia genus — compare its care with other Velleia species on PlantoScan.
Velleia is part of the Goodeniaceae plant family — browse all Goodeniaceae genera and species.
Velleia paradoxa thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Velleia Species
Other Velleia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Velleia paradoxa R.Br., family Goodeniaceae (first published in Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holland. : 580 (1810)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Velleia paradoxa, 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 12a, 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.
