Zornia Plant Care
Zornia afranioi Vanni
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Zornia afranioi is a rare and unique plant known for its striking deep purple leaves with silver markings, making it a standout in any garden. This Brazilian native is highly sought after by plant enthusiasts for its stunning foliage and compact growth habit.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Zornia?
Water Zornia every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Zornia?
Zornia (Zornia afranioi) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Zornia genus. Zornia is native to Brazil.
Zornia displays a low-growing spreading herb growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Zornia produces small yellow flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Zornia?
Zornia afranioi requires watering every 3–5 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 3–5 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Zornia Need?
Zornia thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Zornia Prefer?
Zornia afranioi grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Zornia prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Zornia?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Zornia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Zornia?
Feed Zornia 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 Zornia?
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 Zornia?
Zornia can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to zornia cearensis plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Zornia Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Zornia, 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 Zornia?
Zornia is susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, 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 Zornia Need?
Zornia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Zornia is native to Brazil. In cooler regions, grow Zornia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Zornia 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 Zornia genus (family Fabaceae) — search all Zornia species in the plant lookup.
Zornia thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Zornia Species
Other Zornia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Zornia afranioi Vanni, family Fabaceae (first published in Bol. Soc. Argent. Bot. 29: 207 (1993)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Zornia, 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 13a, 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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