How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Lewisia

Lewisia is a stellar plant in the landscape and nature. With succulent green leaves and colorful flowers from spring to summer, this plant is becoming increasingly popular in rock gardens across the world.

Its native range is alpine areas in the Pacific Northwest, although this perennial can also grow outside of its native range. If you live in an area with a winter chill period, then you can easily grow this plant.

Lewisia History

The Lewisia genus has been thriving in the western United States for generations. It is named after Captain Meriwether Lewis from the famed Lewis and Clark expeditions. Their travels found them traversing through areas where this alpine plant is commonly found. 

Before Lewis stumbled across this plant, the region’s native peoples had been consuming a particular type known scientifically as Lewisia rediviva. This is the original “bitterroot,” the plant with a fleshy taproot that was eaten for its nutritional value. 

Lewisia rediviva is challenging to grow, but two other species thrive in cultivation and are easily found at nurseries. These native species are Lewisia cotyledon and Lewisia columbiana. Read on to learn how to propagate and care for these two garden-friendly species. 

Propagation

Lewisia is propagated in two ways: by seed and by division of offsets. Offsets are the little rosettes that grow to the side of the main stem. When they are planted into the soil, they sprout new plants that are genetically identical to the parent plant. 

Growing this plant from seed can be more challenging than offset propagation, but seed offers you more genetic variety in your plant population. For optimal propagation success, start by dividing offsets, and for a more rewarding challenge, try growing plants from seed.

By Offsets

The best time to take cuttings is in spring after new growth occurs. To propagate by offsets, locate the mother plant you would like to take cuttings from. Find a few side growths on the main stem and prune them off as close as possible to the main stem. 

Let the cuts dry, then plant the offsets in a container with sharp drainage. Lewisia does not like wet feet, so the more drainage, the better. Place the plant in dappled shade and water when the soil is dry. After a few weeks of care, your offset should put down roots!  

By Seed

Seed propagation is a bit more difficult than offset propagation, but the difficulties pay off in genetic variability. This PNW native has flower shades of many colors, and seed propagation gives you a chance to see all of the unique flower types. 

Note that their seed requires cold stratification to germinate. This occurs when seeds experience cold temperatures in winter so that they successfully germinate in spring. Do not be alarmed! This is an easy process that we will learn below.

In Pots

Plant multiple seeds in pots with gritty soil. The seeds can take from a month to a year to germinate, and planting multiple seeds helps increase your chances of timely germination.

Ensure the soil has great drainage by mixing in fine gravel before planting. For optimal germination, plant seeds during the late fall and early winter seasons. This will allow the seeds to undergo their proper cold stratification period of a month to two months.

For best watering practice, water the soil once it is dry. Lewisia is easily overwatered and overwhelmed with root rot. You can avoid this by watering sparingly during the winter months. In the early spring, when the weather warms up, your seeds should have sprouted in their pots.

In The Garden

Plant seeds outside in the garden during late fall to early winter. Planting early allows the seeds to undergo their proper stratification process. Ensure the soil stays moist like a wrung-out sponge. In areas that receive lots of winter rain, plant in a dry spot. The seeds will germinate into baby plants in early spring.

Lewisia Varieties

Not all Lewisia grows the same! These two species have unique characteristics and growing habits, and they are also readily available at nurseries. Read on to discover which one is best for your garden. 

Lewisia cotyledon “Siskiyou lewisia”

By far the best option for rock garden beginners, Lewisia cotyledon is a charming plant of bright character. Its flowers are candy-striped and range in many varying shades of pink and white. This type is extremely resilient in the garden and will reward growers year after year with its showy nature. 

This species has been bred extensively for the nursery trade, and many different flowering cultivars are now readily available. For deep purplish-reddish hues, look for the ‘Dark Cloud’ variety. ‘Little Plum’ is another unique variety that blooms through the summer when other species are dormant. 

How to Grow

Every plant has its own requirements, and Lewisia is no different. Below are all the specific conditions your plant will need in the garden.

Site

Lewisia cotyledon will benefit from sharp drainage in an area with some shade. Its natural habitat is growing in cracks of rocks in alpine areas, so the closer you can mimic these conditions in the garden, the more your plant will thrive. Growers in USDA garden zones four through nine will have success growing this plant. 

These plants love having cool roots. Situate your plant so that the roots are kept covered up to the plant’s crown, either with fine gravel or another material with good drainage. This mountain dweller likes part sun more than the others. Plant it in an area that receives direct morning sunlight and some afternoon shade. 

Water

L. cotyledon can take more water than the other species, but it still appreciates a dry culture. Water once the soil is dry in spring and early summer. In summer, when the plant dies back, cut back on watering to once every two weeks. 

In winter L. cotyledon takes another dormancy break and dies back. Do not fret, though! The plant is not dying. These plants are perennials and will die back to conserve energy each summer and winter. Water less often during these periods than during the growing season. Aim to water once every two weeks or less if the soil is still wet.

Fertilizer

This type is a low feeder, and fertilizer is generally not needed. If you choose to fertilize, do so during the growing season in early spring and summer. Dilute a liquid all-purpose fertilizer to one-third of its strength and feed around the root area.

Pruning

Sometimes this species can benefit from pruning, especially when it is grown in areas where air flow is minimal and moisture levels are high. Pruning benefits the plant by allowing more air to reach the plant and keeping the root zone dry.

Only prune mature, healthy plants, as younger lewisia plants rarely need pruning. To prune, simply locate new rosettes growing off of the main stem. Cut the offsets off with sharp pruners, and remove any dead and diseased foliage. 

As we learned above, you can then propagate these offsets into new plants! Simply plant them in pots with sharp drainage and water them when the soil is dry.

Lewisia columbiana “Columbia lewisia”

The second best Lewisia for the garden, Lewisia columbiana is another Pacific Northwest native with little flowers to boot. This one looks more delicate than the rest, but don’t be fooled. This dainty-looking plant is incredibly tough in the landscape, and it will thrive in USDA garden zones four through eight.

How to Grow

Growing L. columbiana is a bit different from its sister L. cotyledon. Learn all the needs this species has below.

Site

L. columbiana benefits from more sun than its showy sister, L. cotyledon. For this reason, you can treat this species as you would a succulent plant. Situate it in an area in the garden where the roots are kept cool while the leaves receive full sun. A rock garden or a pot with steep drainage is perfect for this plant.

Water

Watering L. columbiana is similar to watering L. cotyledon. Water when the root zone is dry during the growing season in spring and early summer. During the summer and wintertime, cut back on watering to once every two weeks or less. 

Fertilizer

L. columbiana will rarely need fertilizer. If the plant appears to be suffering from a nutrient deficiency by showing limited growth and dying leaves during the growing season, you can fertilize with an ultra-diluted solution of general-purpose liquid fertilizer. 

Dilute your solution to one-tenth its strength and water around the root zone. Never fertilize this plant during the summer or winter, as the plant’s dormancy period prevents it from taking in nutrients. 

Pruning

Pruning for L. columbiana is the same as for L. cotyledon. Prune offsets off of the mature plant stem. Try to focus the pruning around the main crown to ensure good airflow and low moisture levels. 

Common Issues

The most common issue for these two species is root rot. Avoid overwatering by watering the soil around the plant when it is dry. Water sparingly during the summer and winter dormancy periods. Not sure if you should water? Try the finger test by sticking your finger into the soil and seeing the moisture level. If the soil is wet, do not water.