Carpenteria grows best in full sun in a sheltered, warm spot with well-drained, fertile soil. It prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil and benefits from added compost at planting time. Water regularly during dry spells in the first year to help it establish, but once settled, it becomes reasonably drought tolerant.

Apply a mulch in spring to retain moisture and suppress weeds. After flowering in early to mid-summer, lightly prune back any shoots that spoil the shape of the plant, removing spent flower heads and dead or damaged growth at the same time. Avoid hard pruning, as it may reduce flowering the following year.