White Alder
Turnera subulata
Turnera subulata is a low-growing perennial herb or subshrub featuring serrated dark green leaves and distinct flowers with white petals, yellow throats, and dark purple-brown centers.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal blooming.
- Water
- Moderate watering needs. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions. It has moderate drought tolerance once established.
- Growth
- Perennial subshrub with a bushy, sprawling growth habit, reaching heights of 1 to 2 feet and spreading up to 2 feet with a moderate growth rate.
Care instructions
Provide full sun to partial shade and plant in well-draining soil. Water regularly when the top inch of soil becomes dry, and feed with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer during the active growing season.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal blooming.
Watering
Moderate watering needs. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions. It has moderate drought tolerance once established.
Soil
Prefers well-draining loamy or sandy soils with a neutral to slightly acidic pH range between 6.0 and 7.0.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 10 through 11, typically grown as an annual in cooler climates.
Growth habit
Perennial subshrub with a bushy, sprawling growth habit, reaching heights of 1 to 2 feet and spreading up to 2 feet with a moderate growth rate.
Bloom season
Blooms continuously throughout the warm months, producing solitary white flowers with contrasting dark throats that open in the morning.
Propagation
Easily propagated through stem cuttings or by sowing seeds in spring in a warm, well-lit environment.
Common pests & issues
Generally resilient, but susceptible to root rot if overwatered in poorly draining soil. Aphids and whiteflies can occasionally appear as minor pests.
Similar species
Turnera ulmifolia (Yellow Alder), which shares a similar growth habit and leaf structure but features bright yellow flowers instead of white ones.