Golden Cinquefoil Care
Potentilla aurea
A cushion-forming perennial herbaceous plant native to the high mountain meadows of Europe and Turkey. It has bright yellow flowers that open in summer. It is suitable only for high-altitude regions with cool, humid summers; growing it in the hot, dry Mediterranean climate is nearly impossible.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- General care: Dormancy period.
- Frost risk: As an alpine plant, it is very cold-hardy.
- Pruning: Dry leaves damaged in winter can be removed.
- General care: Rest period continues.
- Watering: If the soil begins to dry, start watering (15-20 L/m² per week).
- Fertilizing: Not needed. If the soil is very poor, compost or slow-release fertilizer can be given once.
- General care: Growth begins. In this climate, the plant starts to experience stress.
- Watering: 20-25 L/m² per week; keep the soil constantly moist.
- Plant protection: Start watching for spider mites (Tetranychidae).
- General care: Rising temperatures cause stress.
- Watering: 25-30 L/m² per week; regular watering and cooling efforts are necessary.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- Plant protection: If spider mites appear, apply a miticide.
- General care: Flowering begins but may be weak due to heat stress.
- Pests & diseases: Root rot (from overwatering and heat) and spider mites are the biggest threats.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- Pests & diseases: The plant usually dies in this month because of high temperatures and dry air.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water so that the soil is wetted to a depth of 10-15 cm from the surface.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- General care: It requires intensive care conditions.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water so that the soil is wetted to a depth of 10-15 cm from the surface.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- General care: It is unlikely that the plant has survived in this climate.
- Pests & diseases: Root rot and heat stress are the main causes of death.
- Watering: Usually not required; autumn rains are starting.
- General care: The plant prepares for winter.
- General care: Enters dormancy.
- General care: Full dormancy period.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.
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