Best in full sun in a well-drained soil with only occasional irrigation. It is a drought tolerant plant but also sensitive to phosphorus so be careful about fertilizing this plant. Hardy to about 20 degrees F. Light pruning can improve shape of plant but be careful not to prune hard wood as hard cut stems are not likely to resprout. This plant is not often browsed by deer. An attractive plant for its foliage alone and while not a heavy bloomer the flowers are very attractive and interesting as are the cone like seed heads that follow.

In its natural habitat Isopogon formosus is usually found growing close to the coast in heath from south of Perth to Esperance in Western Australia. The name for the genus come from the Latin word 'isos' meaning "equa" and 'pogon' meaning "beard" in reference to the fringed flowers. The specific epithet means "beautiful". It is also commonly called Rose Coneflower in Australia. We first got this interesting and beautiful plant from Daryll Combs at his Daryll's Exotic Plants Nursery in Carpinteria, California in 1990, first listed it in our 1992 catalog and have grown it ever since. 

The information about Isopogon formosus that is displayed on this web page is based on research conducted in our nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We will also include observations made about this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We also incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they share cultural information that aids others growing this plant.

Please note that after 46 years in business, San Marcos Growers will be discontinuing nursery operations by the end of 2025 and the property will be developed for affordable housing.