Orange Zexmenia
Wedelia acapulcensis
Cheerful orange-yellow daisies blanket this heat-loving perennial through the hottest months of summer.
Hardy in USDA zones 8-11; a heat-loving perennial that stays semi-evergreen in mild low-desert winters and resprouts from roots after hard frost.
AMWUA Notes
A tough, moderate-water perennial that supplies dependable summer daisy color when heat stalls other bloomers.
Care Guide
Water every 1-2 weeks in summer; drought tolerant once established, it flowers longest through the heat with occasional deep soaks and good drainage.
Deadhead or lightly shear spent daisies to keep bloom coming all summer; cut the plant back by a third to a half in late winter to renew it.
Minimal; it performs well in lean soil with little or no feeding.
Clean and trouble-free, with foliage generally left alone by pests and browsers.
Semi-evergreen in mild winters and root-hardy where frost cuts it back; blooms reliably through the hottest part of summer when many plants pause.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Lean, well-drained rocky or gravelly soils; heat-loving and tolerant of poor ground; needs good drainage.
Needs well-drained soil.
Low feeder.
Seed or cuttings; reseeds modestly and cuttings root readily.
3 ft
Minimal; a compact, well-behaved perennial with no invasive tendencies.
Placement Tips
- •Use as a compact, heat-proof color accent in the middle or front of a summer border.
- •Mass in threes for a mound of orange-yellow daisies that shrugs off midsummer heat.
- •Pair with spring bloomers so the bed keeps color through the summer lull.
- •Full sun and reflected heat; it is one of the more summer-floriferous desert perennials.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
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Use this care guide to maintain your Orange Zexmenia. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Orange Zexmenia — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Orange Zexmenia need in Phoenix?
Orange Zexmenia is a moderate-water perennial once established. Water every 1-2 weeks in summer; drought tolerant once established, it flowers longest through the heat with occasional deep soaks and good drainage. A tough, moderate-water perennial that supplies dependable summer daisy color when heat stalls other bloomers.
How big does Orange Zexmenia get?
Expect roughly 2 ft tall and 3 ft wide at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Allow about 3 ft of spacing when planting. Minimal; a compact, well-behaved perennial with no invasive tendencies.
Can you plant Orange Zexmenia near a pool?
Yes. Orange Zexmenia is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated low.
Can Orange Zexmenia handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Orange Zexmenia is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 8-11; a heat-loving perennial that stays semi-evergreen in mild low-desert winters and resprouts from roots after hard frost. Semi-evergreen in mild winters and root-hardy where frost cuts it back; blooms reliably through the hottest part of summer when many plants pause.
Does Orange Zexmenia have thorns?
No. Orange Zexmenia is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Orange Zexmenia safe around pets?
Orange Zexmenia is listed as pet-friendly in this guide. If your dog is a determined chewer, check any new plant with your vet before planting.
When does Orange Zexmenia bloom in Arizona?
Orange Zexmenia blooms in late spring-summer, with orange-yellow flowers. The bloom draws bees, butterflies.
How much maintenance does Orange Zexmenia need?
Orange Zexmenia is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Deadhead or lightly shear spent daisies to keep bloom coming all summer; cut the plant back by a third to a half in late winter to renew it.
What kind of soil does Orange Zexmenia need?
Lean, well-drained rocky or gravelly soils; heat-loving and tolerant of poor ground; needs good drainage. Nutrient needs are low. Minimal; it performs well in lean soil with little or no feeding.
Is Orange Zexmenia native to Arizona?
No. Orange Zexmenia is not an Arizona native; it originates from the South Texas, Mexico, Central America, but it is grown successfully in low-desert landscapes here.