Does it need much water?

Once established, it requires very little supplemental water.

Yes, it responds well to pruning if you want to maintain a specific size.

Plant guide

Coyote brush.

Baccharis pilularis

Pronounced BAK-uh-ris pil-yoo-LAIR-is

Also known as Chaparral Broom, Coyote Bush, Dwarf Coyote Brush, bush baccharis, chaparral-broom, coyotebrush, dwarf chaparral false willow, Dwarf chapparal broom

Coyote brush is a tough, evergreen shrub native to the western coast of North America. It is a fantastic choice for erosion control and supporting local pollinators. You will love how resilient it is in various soil conditions.

Another photo of Coyote brush — Photo by Aden Sommerville (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Evergreen shrub
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 14 to 30 days
Mature size: 3 to 10 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 8 to 10
Bloom time: Late summer to late autumn

Care

Plant this shrub in a spot with plenty of sun and well draining soil. Watch for yellowing leaves which can indicate poor drainage or overwatering. It is quite drought tolerant once established.

Watering: Water deeply but infrequently once the plant is established to encourage deep roots.
Feeding: This plant generally does not require fertilizer if planted in native soil.
Pruning: Prune in late winter to maintain shape and encourage denser growth.
Repotting: This shrub is best suited for the ground, but if kept in a container, move to a larger pot every few years.
Soil: Sandy, rocky, or clay soils
Soil pH: 6.0 to 8.0
Temperature: -7 to 35°C
Humidity: 30 to 70%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 10 to 20 years.
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Stunted growth despite proper care.
Soil drying out extremely fast.

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non-toxic, but ingestion is not recommended.
Children: The small, sticky seeds and dense branches pose no significant danger, but the plant is not intended for consumption.
Contact allergens: The foliage can be slightly sticky due to resin, which may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen produced by male plants can be a moderate allergen for those sensitive to wind-borne pollen.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and may cause digestive upset if ingested.

How to identify it

Small, serrated, leathery green leaves
Dense, rounded shrub growth habit
Tiny, white, fluffy flower heads
Sticky, resinous foliage texture

Height: 0.3 to 3m
Spread: 1 to 4m
Leaves: bright green, dark green, evergreen
Flowers: white, cream, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: white, silvery, late autumn

Problems to watch for

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: autumn, winter, spring
Overwintering: No special winter care is needed as it is well adapted to mild winters within its native range.
In containers: It can grow in large containers, but it is best suited for in-ground planting due to its wide root system.

Cuttings

Take 10 cm semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer.
Dip the base in rooting hormone.
Place in a well-draining potting mix until roots form.

Group this shrub with other drought tolerant natives to create a low maintenance, water wise landscape.

Grows well with

California Sagebrush · They share similar water and light requirements in coastal scrub habitats.
California Poppy · They provide a nice color contrast and thrive in similar dry conditions.

Similar species

Sticky Monkeyflower · It is another common companion in coastal scrub with similar ecological needs.

Science

Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Baccharis
Order: Asterales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Coastal and inland California and southern Oregon.
Conservation: It is a common and widespread native species in its range and is not currently of conservation concern.

It thrives in open, sunny areas and is highly adapted to survive in fire-prone coastal scrub environments.

Value to wildlife: larval host plant, nectar source, shelter for small birds
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, moths, beetles
Uses: erosion control, groundcover, wildlife habitat, coastal landscaping

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 5/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need much water?: Once established, it requires very little supplemental water.
Can I keep it small?: Yes, it responds well to pruning if you want to maintain a specific size.

Where the name comes from

The name Baccharis comes from an ancient Greek name for a plant with fragrant roots, while pilularis refers to the pill-like shape of the flower heads.

Good to know

It is commonly known as coyote brush.
The female plants produce fluffy white seeds that look like miniature clouds in the fall.
It is incredibly drought tolerant once established.
It is a pioneer species that quickly colonizes disturbed soil.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.