Bassia prostrata
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Bassia prostrata

Forage kochia · Prostrate Summercypress

Tier 2 Difficulty: easy Water: low Light: full_sun
Temperature
5–35 °C
Soil pH
6–8
Hardiness
Zone 4–9
Click count
15
Observations
71

Description

Source: leafsnap

Bassia prostrata, the forage kochia, is a Eurasian plant in the subfamily Camphorosmoideae of the family Amaranthaceae (formerly treated as Chenopodiaceae), introduced to the United States as rangeland forage and for fire control.

Care Guide

💧 Water
☀️ Light Full sun

Prostrate summercypress is native to open habitats, such as sunny meadows and forest edges, which provide abundant light. It flourishes in Full Sun but can also tolerate Partial Sun, adapting well to a range of sunlight conditions.

Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 5–35°C

Prostrate summercypress shows strong adaptability to a variety of climate conditions, whether facing scorching summers or chilly winters. However, it still has an ideal temperature range for growth. When temperatures become too high, the plant can suffer heat and humidity stress, which may cause it to die. In areas where temperatures near the lower limit of its cold tolerance, taking insulating measures to protect the plant is important.

Ideal temperature: 5–35°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-8
Soil pH: 6-8
🌱 Fertilizer

To encourage healthy growth, fertilize your Prostrate summercypress in early spring. Regular feeding improves overall health, producing vigorous growth, increased tolerance of difficult conditions, and enhanced resistance to pests and diseases. Keep to a consistent fertilization schedule for your Prostrate summercypress to preserve vibrant, deeply colored foliage and a lush appearance.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

Prostrate summercypress is a drought-tolerant, low-growing plant known for its dense, cushion-like shape. To encourage healthy growth, prune it in early spring to shape the plant and remove any damaged branches. Light trimming helps maintain its compact form and improve airflow, which reduces the risk of disease and enhances the aesthetics of your landscape.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Shrub
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Bassia
Family
Amaranthaceae
Hardiness Zone
4-9
Mature Height
30 cm to 76 cm
Mature Spread
49 cm to 91 cm
Leaf Color
Green Yellow, Light Green
Leaf Type
Semi-evergreen
Flower Color
Green
Flower Size
0.20 cm to 0.25 cm
Bloom Time
Late summer, Early fall, Mid fall
Planting Time
Spring, Summer
Harvest Time
Mid fall, Late fall, Early winter
Native Area
Turkey, Austria, Bulgaria, Pakistan, Greece, Morocco, Ukraine, China, Uzbekistan, Russia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Spain, Switzerland, Iran, Albania, Algeria, Hungary, Turkmenistan, France

Tags (5)

Common Names (2)

en Forage kochia
en Prostrate Summercypress