Arctotis acaulis
Description
Source: leafsnapArctotis acaulis is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae and is an endemic species found in the Cape Provinces, South Africa.
🌳 Cape dandelion is more than an ornamental groundcover. Its vigorous growth in sandy soils plays an important role in stabilizing coastal dunes. Its ability to spread rapidly and bind the soil forms a natural barrier against erosion, turning vulnerable sandy areas into more stable ecosystems.
Care Guide
💧 Water
☀️ Light Full sun
Cape dandelion flourishes with the greatest possible daily sunlight. It requires full sun exposure for vigorous growth and good health. Native to open areas, the cape dandelion is adapted to plentiful sunlight. An imbalance — either too much or too little sun — can lead to subpar growth and reduced vigor.
🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C
Cape dandelion is native to milder climates and prefers an ideal temperature range of 68 to 100 °F (20 to 38 ℃). To help it withstand seasonal changes, adjust its surroundings to maintain this temperature range whenever possible.
💨 Humidity
🪴 Soil 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer
Once most of a Cape dandelion's blooms have fully opened, it's time to resume fertilizing. When the flowers are at peak production, start fertilizing again every three to four weeks, weather permitting. Then, when the Cape dandelion begins to produce fewer new blooms, stop fertilizing; there's no need to feed the plant if it can no longer produce more flowers.
🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning
Prune Arctotis acaulis in early spring to remove dead stems and spent flowers. This promotes healthy growth and blooming. Trim any overgrown areas to maintain the plant's shape and improve air circulation, which reduces the risk of disease. For the best results, use clean, sharp tools to make angled cuts just above the leaf nodes.
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity
Characteristics
- Plant Type
- Herb
- Life Cycle
- Annual, Perennial, Biennial
- Genus
- Arctotis
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 9-11
- Mature Height
- 30 cm to 61 cm
- Mature Spread
- 25 cm
- Leaf Color
- Green, Gray
- Leaf Type
- Evergreen
- Flower Color
- Yellow, White
- Flower Size
- 2.54 cm to 4.06 cm
- Bloom Time
- All year round
- Planting Time
- Spring, Autumn
- Harvest Time
- Spring, Summer, Fall
- Native Area
- South Africa, Lesotho