Zygophyllum augea Plant Care
Zygophyllum augea Christenh. & Byng
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Zygophyllum augea is a species of flowering plant in the family Zygophyllaceae, native from Namibia to the western Cape Province of South Africa. It was first described in 1798 by Carl Peter Thunberg as Augea capensis.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–90°F
30–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Zygophyllum augea?
Plant Zygophyllum augea in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub 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.
What Is the Zygophyllum augea?
Zygophyllum augea (Zygophyllum augea) belongs to the Zygophyllaceae family within the Zygophyllum genus.
Zygophyllum augea displays a low spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Zygophyllum augea produces small, star-shaped flowers in shades of white, yellow, or pink.
Leaf size: approximately 1.5 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Zygophyllum augea?
Water a young or newly planted Zygophyllum augea every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs 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 Zygophyllum augea Need?
Zygophyllum augea thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Zygophyllum augea Prefer?
Zygophyllum augea tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Zygophyllum augea prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.
Temperature
50–90°F
Humidity
30–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Zygophyllum augea?
Sandy, well-draining soil with low to moderate fertility, such as a mix of sand, loam, and gravel. Good drainage is essential for Zygophyllum augea to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Zygophyllum augea?
Feed Zygophyllum augea every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs 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 Zygophyllum augea?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and sandy, well-draining soil with low to moderate fertility, such as a mix of sand, loam, and gravel. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Zygophyllum augea is suited to USDA Zone 12a.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Zygophyllum augea?
Zygophyllum augea can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 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 plant spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Zygophyllum augea?
Prune Zygophyllum augea 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 shrub in one year.
How Do You Care for a Zygophyllum augea in Winter?
Zygophyllum augea 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 Zygophyllum augea?
Zygophyllum augea can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.
Is the Zygophyllum augea Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Zygophyllum augea, 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 Zygophyllum augea?
Zygophyllum augea is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. 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 Zygophyllum augea Need?
Zygophyllum augea grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Zygophyllum augea as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Zygophyllum augea 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 Zygophyllum genus (family Zygophyllaceae) — search all Zygophyllum species in the plant lookup.
Zygophyllum augea 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: Zygophyllum augea Christenh. & Byng, family Zygophyllaceae (first published in Global Fl. 4: 93. 2018 [9 Feb 2018] [epublished]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Zygophyllum augea, 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.
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