Does it need fertilizer?

No, it prefers poor, rocky soils and will suffer if overfed.

How often should I water it?

Once established, it rarely needs supplemental water.

Plant guide

California buckwheat.

Eriogonum fasciculatum

Pronounced er-ee-OG-oh-num fas-sik-yoo-LAY-tum

Also known as California Buckwheat, California wild buckwheat, California-buckwheat, Eastern Mojave buckwheat, flat-topped buckwheat, flattop buckwheat, wild buckwheat, yellow buckwheat

California buckwheat is a hardy, drought tolerant shrub native to the western United States. It produces beautiful clusters of tiny white to pink flowers that attract many pollinators. You will love how it thrives in dry, sunny spots where other plants might struggle.

Another photo of California buckwheat — Photo by Henrik Kibak (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Shrub
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 14 to 30 days
Mature size: 3 to 6 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 7 to 10
Bloom time: Late spring to early autumn

Care

Plant this shrub in well draining soil and avoid overwatering once it is established. Watch for yellowing leaves, which can indicate poor drainage or too much moisture. It requires very little attention beyond occasional light shaping.

Watering: Water deeply but infrequently to encourage a deep root system.
Feeding: This plant generally does not require fertilizer in its native soil.
Pruning: Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a tidy shape.
Repotting: Repot only if the plant becomes root bound in a container.
Soil: Sandy, rocky, or gravelly
Soil pH: 6.0 to 8.0
Temperature: -12 to 40°C
Humidity: 10 to 50%

Safety

People: There are no known reports of toxicity in humans.
Children: The plant is generally safe, but its woody stems can be sharp and should be handled with care.
Contact allergens: The foliage may cause minor skin irritation for sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can trigger allergic reactions in those sensitive to windborne allergens.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible for humans.

How to identify it

Small, narrow, leathery leaves
Clusters of tiny white flowers
Woody, spreading shrub habit
Leaves often have rolled edges

Height: 0.3 to 1m
Spread: 0.6 to 2m
Leaves: dark green, gray green, evergreen
Flowers: white, pale pink, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Root RotCommon
Powdery MildewUncommon
RustUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: autumn, winter

Plant in groups with other drought tolerant natives to create a self sustaining habitat.

Grows well with

White Sage · They share similar water and light requirements in coastal sage scrub.
California Poppy · They provide a beautiful color contrast and thrive in similar dry conditions.

Similar species

Coast Buckwheat · It shares a similar growth habit but prefers coastal bluffs.

Science

Family: Polygonaceae
Genus: Eriogonum
Order: Caryophyllales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southwestern United States and Baja California.
Conservation: This species is common in its native range and is not currently threatened.

It thrives in dry, rocky slopes and chaparral communities by utilizing deep roots to access moisture.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, larval host plant, provides cover
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, moths, beetles
Uses: xeriscaping, erosion control, pollinator gardens, restoration planting

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 4/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 2/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need fertilizer?: No, it prefers poor, rocky soils and will suffer if overfed.
How often should I water it?: Once established, it rarely needs supplemental water.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Eriogonum comes from the Greek words for woolly and knee, referring to the hairy joints of some species. The specific epithet fasciculatum refers to the clustered arrangement of the leaves.

Good to know

It is a primary source of honey for bees in Southern California.
The flowers change color from white to rusty red as they age.
It is exceptionally drought tolerant once established.
The plant is a vital host for the metalmark butterfly.

Keep your california buckwheat growing

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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.