Creosote bush.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Shrub

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 14 to 30 days

Mature size

10 feet

Growth rate

Slow

Hardiness

USDA 7 to 10

Bloom time

Spring to early summer

Care

This plant needs excellent drainage and very little water once established. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the soil is staying too wet for too long. It prefers to be left alone in a sunny spot.

Watering

Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings to mimic its natural desert habitat.

Feeding

Apply a light, balanced fertilizer only during the active growing season if growth seems stunted.

Pruning

Prune lightly in late winter to remove dead wood or to shape the plant.

Repotting

Only repot when the plant has clearly outgrown its container, as it prefers to be somewhat root bound.

Soil

Sandy or rocky, well draining soil

Soil pH

Alkaline

Temperature

-15 to 50°C

Humidity

10 to 40%

Safety

People

The plant is toxic if ingested and can cause skin irritation upon contact with the resinous leaves.

Children

The resinous leaves are sticky and potentially irritating, so children should be discouraged from handling them.

Contact allergens

The sticky resin on the leaves can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

The pollen can be a significant seasonal allergen for those living in desert regions.

Edibility

The plant contains compounds that are not safe for human consumption and may cause liver damage.

How to identify it

• Small, waxy, resinous green leaves
• Bright yellow five petaled flowers
• Fuzzy, spherical seed capsules
• Dark, gnarled woody stems

Height

1 to 3m

Spread

1.5 to 4m

Leaves

dark green, olive, evergreen

Flowers

yellow, 1 to 2cm

Fruit

white, tan, Summer

Common problems

• Root rot — Occurs when the plant is exposed to excessive moisture or poor drainage.

Growing it

Propagation

seed, cuttings

When to plant

fall, early spring

Group this plant with other desert natives that require minimal irrigation to avoid root rot.

Grows well with

• Desert Marigold — They share similar water needs and thrive in the same harsh, sunny conditions.
• Brittlebush — This companion provides a nice color contrast and shares the same desert habitat.

Similar species

• Palo Verde — Both are iconic desert shrubs that provide structure and habitat in arid landscapes.

Science

Family

Zygophyllaceae

Genus

Larrea

Order

Zygophyllales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico.

Conservation

It is a common and widespread species in its native range and is not currently of conservation concern.

It survives in arid environments by using a combination of deep taproots and shallow lateral roots to capture scarce moisture.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, shelter for desert reptiles

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles

Uses

xeriscaping, desert restoration, erosion control

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need much water?

No, it is highly drought tolerant and prefers to be left alone once established.

Can I grow it in a pot?

It is difficult to grow in containers due to its deep taproot and specific soil requirements.

Where the name comes from

The genus name honors Spanish botanist Juan de Larrea, while the species name refers to its three-lobed fruit.

Good to know

• The distinctive smell of the desert after rain is largely due to the oils released by this plant.
• It is also known as the greasewood bush due to its waxy, resinous leaves.
• The plant has a unique ability to self-prune branches to conserve water during extreme drought.
• It is a cornerstone species that defines the landscape of the Mojave, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan deserts.