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Physocarpus opulifolius 'Little Devil' (Little Devil ninebark) care

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Donna May' (Little Devil)

Also called Little Devil ninebark, dwarf purple ninebark.

RHS H7USDA 3-7Mildly toxic to petsIndoor 0.9-1.2 m tall and 0.9-1.2 m wide (3-4 ft) — the most compact common ninebark.

Watering rhythm

1-2weeks

Weekly while establishing; every 1-2 weeks in dry spells once mature

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Light

Direct sun (at least 4-6 hours)

Soil

Adaptable — clay, loam or sand; acid to neutral preferred

Humidity

Ambient outdoor

Temp

-37 to 32°C

Pet safety

Mildly toxic to pets

Mature size

0.9-1.2 m tall and 0.9-1.2 m wide (3-4 ft) — the most compact common ninebark.

Care at a glance

Light

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Little Devil' needs sun on the leaves, not just bright ambient room light. Full sun gives the deepest burgundy foliage and tightest mound; in shade the colour fades to greenish-bronze and the plant grows looser. A south or west-facing windowsill in the northern hemisphere is the default; anywhere else, expect the plant to stretch and pale out within a season.

Watering

Water physocarpus opulifolius 'little devil' weekly while establishing; every 1-2 weeks in dry spells once mature. The actual day count varies with pot size, light, and season — the finger test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a fixed calendar. Empty any drainage saucer afterwards so the pot isn't sitting in water. Water regularly the first season. Once established it tolerates drought and brief wet periods, but even moisture keeps the small leaves dense and well-coloured; container plants dry faster and need closer attention.

Soil and pot

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Little Devil' grows best in adaptable — clay, loam or sand; acid to neutral preferred. Unfussy and tolerant of clay and short wet spells. Best on slightly acidic to neutral soil; very alkaline ground can cause leaf-yellowing chlorosis. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Little Devil' sits happiest at around Ambient outdoor humidity and -37 to 32°C (-35 to 90°F). A hardy outdoor shrub with no humidity requirement; ordinary air is fine, including in containers. If you keep the room above year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed physocarpus opulifolius 'little devil' sparingly. Low feeder. A spring compost mulch or one balanced slow-release feed suffices; container specimens benefit from a light feed in spring. Avoid heavy nitrogen. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on physocarpus opulifolius 'little devil' in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Powdery mildew — This cultivar is bred for better mildew resistance, but humid, crowded conditions can still bring white film on leaves. Maintain airflow and water at the base, not overhead.
  • Colour fade in shade — Too little sun mutes the burgundy to dull green. Plant in full sun to keep the colour rich.
  • Drying out in containers — Its small size makes it popular in pots, which dry quickly. Use a good potting mix, check moisture often in summer, and avoid letting the rootball bake.
  • Chlorosis on alkaline soil — Interveinal yellowing on chalky ground. Add organic matter or grow in a container with ericaceous-leaning compost on very limy sites.

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or hardwood cuttings in autumn. As a patented cultivar ('Donna May') it is reproduced vegetatively and unlicensed propagation for sale is prohibited; seed will not come true to its dwarf, dark form. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Little Devil' is mildly toxic to pets. Physocarpus opulifolius is not individually listed on the ASPCA's toxic or non-toxic plant lists, nor classed as toxic by the USDA, but the bark is reported to cause vomiting or diarrhoea if eaten by dogs or cats. Treat with caution and verify with a vet if a pet ingests a quantity. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Little Devil' care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Physocarpus opulifolius 'Donna May' (Little Devil)?

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Donna May' (Little Devil) is most commonly called Physocarpus opulifolius 'Little Devil', but it is also known as Little Devil ninebark, dwarf purple ninebark. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Physocarpus opulifolius 'Little Devil' apply identically to anything sold as Little Devil ninebark.

How much light does physocarpus opulifolius 'little devil' need?

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Little Devil' grows best in direct sun (at least 4-6 hours). Full sun gives the deepest burgundy foliage and tightest mound; in shade the colour fades to greenish-bronze and the plant grows looser.

How often should I water physocarpus opulifolius 'little devil'?

Water physocarpus opulifolius 'little devil' weekly while establishing; every 1-2 weeks in dry spells once mature. Water regularly the first season. Once established it tolerates drought and brief wet periods, but even moisture keeps the small leaves dense and well-coloured; container plants dry faster and need closer attention. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.

Is physocarpus opulifolius 'little devil' toxic to cats and dogs?

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Little Devil' is mildly toxic to pets. Physocarpus opulifolius is not individually listed on the ASPCA's toxic or non-toxic plant lists, nor classed as toxic by the USDA, but the bark is reported to cause vomiting or diarrhoea if eaten by dogs or cats. Treat with caution and verify with a vet if a pet ingests a quantity.

What USDA hardiness zone does physocarpus opulifolius 'little devil' grow in?

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Little Devil' is rated for USDA zone 3-7 and RHS hardiness H7. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Little Devil' deep-dive guides

Every aspect of physocarpus opulifolius 'little devil' care, each with its own calibrated guide:

Featured in these plant shortlists

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Little Devil' qualifies for 4 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

Related guides

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Little Devil' is also commonly called Little Devil ninebark or dwarf purple ninebark.