Photo: FabPublic domainvia Wikimedia Commons
Acmella buphthalmoides Plant Care
Verbesina ovata A.Gray
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Heliopsis buphthalmoides is a New World species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is the only member of its genus native to both North America and South America. It is found in Mexico (from Durango and Sinaloa south to Chiapas), all 7 countries of Central America, and western South America (Colombia, Venezuela, Perú, and Bolivia).
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Acmella buphthalmoides?
Water Acmella buphthalmoides 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 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Acmella buphthalmoides Native To?
What Is the Acmella buphthalmoides?
Acmella buphthalmoides (Verbesina ovata) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Verbesina genus. Acmella buphthalmoides is native to both North America and South America. Acmella buphthalmoides is also known as Andrieuxia mexicana, Anthemis americana, Anthemis buphthalmoides.
Acmella buphthalmoides displays a tall upright perennial growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Acmella buphthalmoides produces small daisy-like yellow flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Acmella buphthalmoides?
Verbesina ovata 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 Acmella buphthalmoides Need?
Acmella buphthalmoides thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Acmella buphthalmoides Prefer?
Verbesina ovata grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Acmella buphthalmoides prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Acmella buphthalmoides?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Acmella buphthalmoides to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Acmella buphthalmoides?
Feed Acmella buphthalmoides 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 Acmella buphthalmoides?
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 Acmella buphthalmoides?
Acmella buphthalmoides can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.
Is the Acmella buphthalmoides Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Acmella buphthalmoides, 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 Acmella buphthalmoides?
Acmella buphthalmoides 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 Acmella buphthalmoides Need?
Acmella buphthalmoides grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Acmella buphthalmoides is native to both North America and South America. In cooler regions, grow Acmella buphthalmoides as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Acmella buphthalmoides 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 Verbesina genus — compare its care with other Verbesina species on PlantoScan.
Verbesina is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Acmella buphthalmoides 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: Verbesina ovata A.Gray, family Asteraceae (first published in Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts xix. (1883) 13) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Acmella buphthalmoides, 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: Fab, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, 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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