Moraceae
hairy crabweed: Ground Cover Plant
Fatoua villosa
Hairy crabweed is extremely resilient and thrives in moist, shaded environments with minimal intervention. It is primarily managed as a weed rather than cultivated, requiring frequent removal to prevent rapid spreading.
Every 4 days
Partial shade
5° - 35°C
40% - 90%
Categories
What is hairy crabweed?
hairy crabweed (Fatoua villosa) is a easy-care plant from the Moraceae family. Fatoua villosa, commonly known as hairy crabweed or mulberry weed, is an annual herbaceous plant in the Moraceae family. It is often considered an invasive weed in greenhouses and nurseries. It features alternate, heart-shaped leaves with serrated edges and small, inconspicuous clusters of flowers a...
hairy crabweed grows up to 80cm, spread of 60cm, watering every 4 days, 5°C – 35°C, 40–90% humidity. It is suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, hairy crabweed tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Unlike many popular species, hairy crabweed is safe to keep around pets. Without adequate drainage, root rot can develop within 8 days.
How to Care for hairy crabweed?
TLDR: hairy crabweed needs Partial shade, watering every 4 days, and temperatures between 5-35°C with 40-90% humidity.
How Often Should You Water hairy crabweed?
Keep the soil evenly moist. The plant will wilt quickly during dry spells but recovers fast once watered.
How Much Light Does hairy crabweed Need?
Prefers partial shade but can tolerate full sun if the soil remains consistently moist.
What Is the Best Soil for hairy crabweed?
Thrives in nutrient-rich, moist soil but is highly adaptable to various soil textures.
What Pot Should You Use for hairy crabweed?
Standard plastic nursery pots with drainage holes; however, it is rarely grown intentionally.
Care Schedule
Fertilize
Every 30 days
Rotate
Every 14 days
Repot
Every 365 days
What Is hairy crabweed and Where Does It Come From?
Fatoua villosa, commonly known as hairy crabweed or mulberry weed, is an annual herbaceous plant in the Moraceae family. It is often considered an invasive weed in greenhouses and nurseries. It features alternate, heart-shaped leaves with serrated edges and small, inconspicuous clusters of flowers at the leaf axils. The plant is covered in fine, glandular hairs and can explosively discharge its seeds, allowing it to spread rapidly in moist, disturbed soils.
How to Propagate hairy crabweed?
Seed Propagation
- This plant self-seeds very aggressively.
- Seeds can remain viable in the soil for several seasons.
- 1 Seed Collection
Collect seeds from the mature, purplish flower clusters before they are explosively discharged.
- 2 Sowing
Surface sow the seeds on moist, loamy soil. Do not cover deeply as they may require some light to germinate.
- 3 Moisture Maintenance
Keep the soil consistently moist and warm until seedlings emerge.
Materials needed:
How Big Does hairy crabweed Grow?
TLDR: hairy crabweed can reach up to 80cm tall with Fast growth rate.
Max height
80cm
Spread
60cm
Growth rate
Fast
Foliage
Deciduous
Plant Uses
Ground Cover
Soil coverage
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
Meaning & Symbolism
Often associated with persistence and unwanted intrusion due to its invasive nature.
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | ✓ |
| Silver Birch | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Common Blanketflower | Easy | Direct sun | 10d | ✓ |
| Cushion Bush | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
