Felicia filifolia
Images by part: leaf (4) · flower (5) · fruit (0) · bark (1) · habit (0) · other (0)

Felicia filifolia

Fine-leaved felicia · Glumicalyx · Wild aster

Tier 1 Difficulty: medium Water: low Light: full_sun
Temperature
20–37 °C
Soil pH
6–7
Hardiness
Zone 9–11
Click count
21
Observations
6

Description

Source: leafsnap

Felicia filifolia is a Southern African member of the family Asteraceae. It is a hardy, sprawling shrub growing to about 1 metre tall. Leaves are narrow (filifolia = threadlike leaves) and clustered along the twigs. When blooming it is densely covered in flowerheads with ray florets that are pink-mauve to white and disc florets that are yellow. In the wild, flowers can be found August to December.The species is widespread over mountainous areas, commonly found growing amongst rocks. It is suspected of causing haemorrhaging when ingested by sheep.

Care Guide

💧 Water
☀️ Light Full sun

Wild aster is a sun-loving, perennial herbaceous plant that comes from open habitats and commonly thrives in meadows and grasslands. It prefers full sun but can also tolerate partial sun.

Ideal: Full sun
FAQ
What are the sunlight requirements for Wild aster?

Wild aster, botanically known as Felicia filifolia, thrives in conditions where it receives the adequate amount of sunlight. It requires full sun, which means it needs to be exposed to more than 6 hours of sunlight daily. However, it can also grow in partial sun, which equates to about 3-6 hours of sunlight each day. It's important to observe the movement of sunlight through your garden throughout the day to find spots that offer a harmonious balance of light and shade. This ensures the plants are happy and healthy.

🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C

Wild aster demonstrates good adaptability to temperature, tolerating high heat and considerable temperature fluctuations. When temperatures are elevated, care should be taken with watering and providing suitable shade to prevent sunburn. However, wild aster is relatively less tolerant of low temperatures. Although it can endure some cold, excessively cold conditions may cause frost damage.

Ideal temperature: 20–37.8°C
FAQ
What is the botanical name of Wild aster?

The botanical name of Wild aster is Felicia filifolia.

💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-7
Soil pH: 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer

The best time to fertilize a Wild aster is in early spring, as it comes out of dormancy and begins active growth. Fertilizing supplies essential nutrients for healthy growth. Although Wild aster needs relatively little fertilizer, applying it once a year can improve its survival and encourage better, longer-lasting flowers.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

Wild asters, known for their delicate foliage and vibrant flowers, benefit greatly from early spring pruning. To encourage bushiness and abundant blooms, remove dead stems and trim back one-third of the plant. Light pruning helps maintain the plant's shape, supports new growth, and prevents disease. Follow these steps for a flourishing wild aster garden.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Herb
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Felicia
Family
Asteraceae
Hardiness Zone
9-11
Mature Height
30 cm to 61 cm
Mature Spread
30 cm to 49 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Leaf Type
Evergreen
Flower Color
White
Flower Size
2.03 cm to 3.05 cm
Bloom Time
Spring, Early summer, Mid summer
Planting Time
Spring, Summer
Harvest Time
Late spring, Summer, Early fall

Tags (5)

Common Names (3)

en Fine-leaved felicia
en Glumicalyx
en Wild aster