Care of the plant Hertia cheirifolia or Barbary Ragwort |
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The genus Hertia, family Asteraceae, includes 6 species of plants native to Africa. The species are: Hertia cheirifolia, Hertia alata, Hertia pallens, Hertia ciliata, Hertia cluytiifolia, Hertia kraussii. Common name: Barbary Ragwort. They are perennial subshrubs of creeping bearing that reach 30 cm (11.8") in height. They have bluish-green, semi-succulent, spatula-shaped leaves. They produce interesting deep yellow flowers. They bloom from the second half of spring to mid-summer; they can re-bloom in fall and winter. They are used as cover plants on rockeries and slopes, in pots and planters and as a hanging plant on walls. They are ideal plants for gardens by the sea; they resist pollution from cities. Hertia cheirifolia needs full sun exposure. It resists frost down to -5 ºC (23 ºF). It's important that the soil is very well drained; they prefer it to be slightly chalky. Planting is done in spring at the rate of 4-5 specimens per square meter. Water regularly but with little amount of water (one glass per plant); wait at least a couple of days with the substrate dry. They are drought resistant plants. They do not need pruning or fertilizers. They are plants resistant to pests but sensitive to excess humidity. They propagate by division in spring or by cuttings in summer. |
Images of the plant Hertia cheirifolia or Barbary Ragwort |
 Hertia cheirifolia  Hertia cheirifolia  Hertia cheirifolia |