Water Lily Pith Flower Plant Care

Vitex cymosa Bert. ex Spreng.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

This plant is easily recognized by its unique palmate leaves with five leaflets. Originating from Southeast Asia, Vitex cymosa is highly desirable to plant collectors for its striking foliage and beautiful clusters of purple flowers that attract butterflies and bees.

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Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–90°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Water Lily Pith Flower?

Plant Water Lily Pith Flower in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F (10–32°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Water Lily Pith Flower Native To?

Native range14 countries

What Is the Water Lily Pith Flower?

Water Lily Pith Flower (Vitex cymosa) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Vitex genus. Water Lily Pith Flower is native to Panama and South America.

Water Lily Pith Flower displays a small tree or large shrub growth habit, reaching up to 15 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Water Lily Pith Flower produces showy spikes of purple, blue, or white flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Water Lily Pith Flower?

Water a young or newly planted Water Lily Pith Flower every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Water Lily Pith Flower Need?

Water Lily Pith Flower thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Water Lily Pith Flower Prefer?

Vitex cymosa tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Water Lily Pith Flower prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–90°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Water Lily Pith Flower?

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Water Lily Pith Flower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Water Lily Pith Flower?

Feed Water Lily Pith Flower every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees 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 Water Lily Pith Flower?

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

Water Lily Pith Flower is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Water Lily Pith Flower?

Water Lily Pith Flower can spread to about 10 ft (3 m) and reach about 15 ft (5 m) tall. Space plants about 10 ft (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 tree spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Water Lily Pith Flower?

Prune Water Lily Pith Flower 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 tree in one year.

How Do You Care for a Water Lily Pith Flower in Winter?

Water Lily Pith Flower 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 Water Lily Pith Flower?

Water Lily Pith Flower can be propagated through softwood cuttings, hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to chaste tree plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Water Lily Pith Flower Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Water Lily Pith Flower, 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 Water Lily Pith Flower?

Water Lily Pith Flower 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 Water Lily Pith Flower Need?

Water Lily Pith Flower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Water Lily Pith Flower is native to Panama and South America. In cooler regions, grow Water Lily Pith Flower as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Water Lily Pith Flower 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 Vitex genus — compare its care with other Vitex species on PlantoScan.

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

Water Lily Pith Flower thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Vitex Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Vitex cymosa Bert. ex Spreng., family Lamiaceae (first published in Syst. Veg. 2: 757 (1825)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Water Lily Pith Flower, 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.

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