Consulta Plantas

Care of the plant Hertia cheirifolia or Barbary Ragwort

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.

Barbary Ragwort is used as cover plants on rockeries and slopes, in pots and planters and as a hanging plant on walls. It's an ideal plant for gardens by the sea; it resists 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; Barbary Ragwort prefers 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. It's a drought resistant plant.

Hertia cheirifolia does not need pruning or fertilizers.

Barbary Ragwort is a plant resistant to pests but sensitive to excess humidity.

Hertia cheirifolia propagates by division in spring or by cuttings in summer.

Images of the plant Hertia cheirifolia or Barbary Ragwort