Photo: Andrey Zharkikh from Salt Lake City, USACC BY 2.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Slender Starwort Plant Care
Xanthisma gracile (Nutt.) D.R.Morgan & R.L.Hartm.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Xanthisma gracile is a species of annual flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common names slender goldenweed and annual bristleweed.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–85°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Slender Starwort?
Water Slender Starwort 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 50–85°F (10–29°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Slender Starwort?
Slender Starwort (Xanthisma gracile) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Xanthisma genus. Slender Starwort is also known as Gracile Starwort, Aster dieteria, Dieteria gracilis.
Slender Starwort displays an upright, bushy perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Slender Starwort produces bright yellow daisy-like flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Slender Starwort?
Xanthisma gracile 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 Slender Starwort Need?
Slender Starwort thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Slender Starwort Prefer?
Xanthisma gracile grows best at temperatures of 50–85°F. Slender Starwort prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Slender Starwort?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Slender Starwort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Slender Starwort?
Feed Slender Starwort 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 Slender Starwort?
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 Slender Starwort?
Slender Starwort can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to colorado sparkle plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Slender Starwort Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Slender Starwort, 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 Slender Starwort?
Slender Starwort 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 Slender Starwort Need?
Slender Starwort grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Slender Starwort as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Slender Starwort 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 Xanthisma genus — compare its care with other Xanthisma species on PlantoScan.
Xanthisma is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Slender Starwort 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: Xanthisma gracile (Nutt.) D.R.Morgan & R.L.Hartm., family Asteraceae (first published in Sida 20(4): 1405 (2003)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Slender Starwort, 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: Andrey Zharkikh from Salt Lake City, USA, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- 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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