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Calico Bush

Also known as

Mountain laurel, Calico-bush and Spoonwood

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Kalmia latifolia

Genus

Kalmia

Family

Ericaceae

Order

Ericales

How to care for Calico Bush

💦 Water

How often to water your Calico Bush

Calico Bush needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Calico Bush in your home

Calico Bush love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Calico Bush does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Calico Bush in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Calico Bush

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Calico Bush: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Calico Bush after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Calico Bush is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

How to Grow Calico Bush →

Benefits of Growing Calico Bush →

Common Calico Bush Problems →

Indoor Care Guide for Calico Bush →

Outdoor Care Guide for Calico Bush →

💦 Water Needs

Calico Bush prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Calico Bush Water Frequency →

Calico Bush Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Calico Bush requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Calico Bush Light Requirements →

Calico Bush Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Calico Bush is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. Calico Bush is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

Is Calico Bush Edible? →

Calico Bush Toxicity to Cats →

Calico Bush Toxicity to Dogs →

Calico Bush Toxicity to Humans →

🪴 Soil

Calico Bush does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Calico Bush →

Best Pots for Calico Bush →

When and How to Successfully Repot Calico Bush →

What Are Healthy Calico Bush Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Calico Bush grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Calico Bush →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Calico Bush will branch off as it grows. To encourage branching, pinch off the newest growth at the tip and the stem will branch off into two.

Calico Bush Lifecycle →

Calico Bush Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Calico Bush →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Calico Bush can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 4a-9b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Calico Bush Temperature Tolerance →

Calico Bush Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Calico Bush →

When to Plant Calico Bush →

How to Plant Calico Bush →

Where to Plant Calico Bush →

Winter Care for Calico Bush →

Best Companion Plants for Calico Bush →

Is Calico Bush a Weed? →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Calico Bush, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.