Tessaria absinthioides
Care, watering, light and tips for Tessaria absinthioides on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Asteraceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 0–35 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Tessaria absinthioides
Tessaria absinthioides, commonly known as "Pájaro bobo," is a shrub native to South America, particularly arid and semi-arid regions. It is characterized by its silvery-gray foliage and branched habit, reaching up to 3 meters in height. It is ideal for low-maintenance gardens, xeriscape landscaping, or as a background plant in borders and beds, providing interesting texture and color.
Native range
South America, mainly in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay
Care tips
This species thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct light per day. It is extremely drought-tolerant once established, so watering should be sparse and infrequent, avoiding waterlogging which is its main enemy. It prefers well-drained soils, even poor or sandy ones, and does not require frequent fertilization. A common mistake is overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
How to save a dying Tessaria absinthioides
- Warning signs
- Yellowish/whitish leaves, soft stems, premature leaf drop, general wilting.
- First aid
- Move to indirect light, water only when soil is dry. If potted, check drainage.
- What kills it
- Overwatering and poor drainage, causing root rot. Intense shade also weakens it.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots aren't fully rotted and green stems remain. It's resilient.