Wuacanthus microdontus Plant Care

Wuacanthus microdontus (W.W.Sm.) Y.F.Deng, N.H.Xia & H.Peng

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Wuacanthus microdontus is a species of flowering plant belonging to the family Acanthaceae. It is a shrub native to Yunnan and southern Sichuan in south-central China.

🌿Shrubs🪴Houseplants
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Bright indirect light

Temp

65–80°F

Humidity

50–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Wuacanthus microdontus?

Water Wuacanthus microdontus every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Wuacanthus microdontus Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Wuacanthus microdontus?

Wuacanthus microdontus (Wuacanthus microdontus) belongs to the Acanthaceae family within the Wuacanthus genus. Wuacanthus microdontus is native to Yunnan and southern Sichuan in south-central China.

Wuacanthus microdontus displays a tall, upright perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Wuacanthus microdontus produces tubular flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Wuacanthus microdontus?

Wuacanthus microdontus 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 Wuacanthus microdontus Need?

Wuacanthus microdontus thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Wuacanthus microdontus in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Light Requirement

Bright indirect light

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Wuacanthus microdontus Prefer?

Wuacanthus microdontus grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Wuacanthus microdontus prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Temperature

65–80°F

Humidity

50–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Wuacanthus microdontus?

Loamy, well-draining soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Wuacanthus microdontus to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Wuacanthus microdontus?

Feed Wuacanthus microdontus every 4 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 4 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 Wuacanthus microdontus?

Repot every 1-2 years in 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 Wuacanthus microdontus?

Wuacanthus microdontus can be propagated through softwood cuttings, division of offsets, air layering.

Is the Wuacanthus microdontus Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Wuacanthus microdontus, 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 Wuacanthus microdontus?

Wuacanthus microdontus is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, 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 Wuacanthus microdontus Need?

Wuacanthus microdontus grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Wuacanthus microdontus is native to Yunnan and southern Sichuan in south-central China. In cooler regions, grow Wuacanthus microdontus as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13b

Keep exploring plants

Wuacanthus microdontus 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 Wuacanthus genus — compare its care with other Wuacanthus species on PlantoScan.

Wuacanthus is part of the Acanthaceae plant family — browse all Acanthaceae genera and species.

Wuacanthus microdontus 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: Wuacanthus microdontus (W.W.Sm.) Y.F.Deng, N.H.Xia & H.Peng, family Acanthaceae (first published in Pl. Diversity 38(6): 320. 2016 [19 Dec 2016]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Wuacanthus microdontus, 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 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.

PlantoScan app icon

Identify Plants Like the
Wuacanthus microdontus Instantly

Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Free

to download

iOS & Android

platforms

Light & dark

mode

100,000+

species