Othonna arborescens has moderate disease resistance and is more sensitive to humidity. It becomes susceptible to disease when humidity is high and is prone to root rot during dormancy. In terms of care, Othonna arborescens is drought tolerant but requires more water during the growing season. Watering should be drastically reduced or stopped entirely during the dormant period. Othonna arborescens is suitable for people with some growing experience, but it can be difficult to care for, particularly during dormancy. It is especially appropriate for those who have the time to dedicate to its care during the winter months.
How to keep Othonna Arborescens.
Light
Native to dry areas, Othonna arborescens performs best in full sun, since its natural habitat has intense sunlight and very little shade. It will also tolerate partial sun, providing some flexibility in its growing conditions.
Temperature
While Othonna arborescens can endure some heat, it predominantly thrives and grows in cooler periods and goes dormant during summer. In very hot weather, provide shade to prevent scorching from intense sunlight. Watering should be reduced or stopped in the hottest season to avoid root rot. Winter and spring are when Othonna arborescens shows vigorous growth. Provided temperatures do not drop too low, it will keep growing steadily.
Fertilizer
Othonna arborescens needs only light fertilizer applications once or twice a year during the growing season. Do not fertilize in winter or summer when the plant is dormant. Reduce feeding for repotted plants and wait a couple of months after repotting before applying fertilizer. Fertilizing promotes healthy growth and encourages flowering.
Pot & Repot
When repotting Othonna arborescens, choose a pot a little larger than the current one that has good drainage. Use a gritty, well-draining cactus or succulent mix. Gently remove the plant from its previous pot, brush off extra soil, and plant it at the same depth. Wait a few days before watering to let any root damage heal. Repot in spring or fall and place it in a brightly lit spot.
Botanical profile.
- Plant Type
- Succulent, Shrub
- Life Cycle
- Perennial
- Genus
- Othonna
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 9-11
- Mature Height
- 0.91 m to 2.13 m
- Mature Spread
- 49 cm to 91 cm
- Leaf Color
- Green, Dark Green
- Leaf Type
- Evergreen
- Flower Color
- Yellow
- Flower Size
- 2.03 cm to 3.05 cm
- Bloom Time
- Mid summer, Late summer, Early fall
- Planting Time
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Harvest Time
- Fall
- Native Area
- South Africa
