Creosote

Larrea tridentata

Light

Water

Very low water once established; established plants often thrive on rainfall alone. Water deeply but infrequently during establishment, allowing soil to dry between waterings. Occasional deep summer watering can help during prolonged drought.

Size

4-8 ft tall × 4-8 ft wide

Habit

Upright shrub

Toxicity

Toxic — Pets

Description

An iconic Sonoran Desert shrub with small, resinous leaves, open branching, and the distinctive desert-rain fragrance released when its foliage becomes wet.

Bloom Time

Spring; reblooms after summer monsoon rains

Deciduous / Evergreen

Evergreen

Special Features

Attracts Bees / Pollinators, Drought Tolerant, Fragrant, Long-Lived

Growth Rate

Slow

Growth Habit

Upright shrub

Mature Size

4-8 ft tall × 4-8 ft wide

Flower Color

Yellow

Foliage Color

Dark green

Landscape Use

Desert / Xeriscape, Hedge / Screen, Pollinator / Wildlife Garden

Garden Style

Arizona Native, Desert / Xeriscape, Hedge / Formal, Pollinator / Wildlife

Soil

Alkaline Tolerant, Sandy / Rocky, Well-Drained

Companion Plants

Brittlebush, Foothill palo verde, Ocotillo, Saguaro, Triangleleaf bursage, White bursage

Toxic — Pets

Toxic if ingested; foliage contains hepatotoxic NDGA (chaparral is linked to liver injury)

Care Instructions

Light: Full sun; thrives in intense Phoenix heat and reflected sunlight.

Water: Very low water once established; established plants often thrive on rainfall alone. Water deeply but infrequently during establishment, allowing soil to dry between waterings. Occasional deep summer watering can help during prolonged drought.

Soil: Well-drained sandy, gravelly, or rocky soil; tolerates alkaline and caliche soils where drainage is adequate. Avoid persistently wet soil.

Mature size: Typically 4–8 feet tall and 4–8 feet wide; occasionally reaches 10–12 feet tall under favorable conditions.

Bloom: Primarily spring, with additional flowering after summer monsoon rains or other favorable moisture periods.

Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen; may shed some foliage during severe drought.

Growth rate: Slow to moderate, depending on rainfall and establishment conditions.