Also known as California Fuchsia · 176 saves

Zauschneria

Zauschneria, the genus most gardeners know as california fuchsia. We track 7 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.

7 varieties3 speciesZones 5–10Mostly full sun

The 4 most-saved Zauschneria varieties

Browse all 7 Zauschneria varieties →

3 species of Zauschneria

Each one is a parent of the varieties above.

Track your Zauschneria in Sow

Save the Zauschneria you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.

How to grow Zauschneria

Whats common across all Zauschneria varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 7 most-grown of them.

The Zauschneria year

  • PruneFebruary100% of varieties

    Cut back old, woody stems close to the ground in late winter

  • PlantMarch, April, September and October71% of varieties

    Plant in well-drained soil; spring or early fall establishment

  • DivideMarch and April71% of varieties

    Divide clumps every 3-5 years in early spring if needed

Do

  • Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
  • Water sparingly during dormancy to prevent root rot 🌱
  • Prune after flowering to maintain shape and encourage new growth
  • Apply a light mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds
  • Provide full sun for optimal flowering

Avoid

  • Overwater in winter ❌
  • Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
  • Use heavy clay soil that retains too much moisture ❌
  • Prune in late fall or winter ❌

What goes wrong with Zauschneria

ProblemWhat you'll seeWhat to do
AphidsSticky residue and distorted leavesSpray with insecticidal soap or neem oil
Spider MitesFine webbing and speckled leavesIncrease humidity and spray with insecticidal soap
Spider mitesFine webbing and stippled leavesIncrease humidity and spray with insecticidal soap
Root rotWilting and blackened rootsImprove drainage and reduce watering
Powdery MildewWhite powder on leavesEnsure good air circulation and apply fungicide if needed

Making more Zauschneria

Cuttings

  1. Take 4-inch softwood cuttings in late spring.
  2. Dip in rooting hormone and plant in gritty soil.
  3. Keep soil moist and wait 4-6 weeks for roots to develop.

Seed

  1. Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring and keep warm for 2-3 weeks.

Zauschneria questions

How many types of Zauschneria are there?

The Sow catalog tracks 7 distinct Zauschneria varieties. The most popular — ranked by 176 real gardeners — are shown first above.

What zones does Zauschneria grow in?

Across its varieties, Zauschneria covers USDA Zones 5–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.

When does Zauschneria bloom?

Most Zauschneria varieties bloom in late summer, fall, late summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.

Which Zauschneria should I choose?

Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.

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