Mastic – Desert Horizon Nursery

Mastic

Pistacia lentiscus
Categories:
Trees  ·  
Shade Trees
Light
Full sun
Water
Low water once established. Water deeply, then allow soil to dry between irrigations; provide supplemental deep watering during prolonged Phoenix summer heat. Water more regularly during establishment.
Size
10-20 ft tall × 10-15 ft wide
Habit
Upright tree – multi-trunk
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Description
A Mediterranean evergreen shrub or small tree with dense, leathery foliage, aromatic resin, and excellent heat tolerance; well suited to Phoenix landscapes.
Bloom Time
Spring
Deciduous / Evergreen
Evergreen
Special Features
Drought Tolerant, Fragrant, Screening / Privacy
Growth Rate
Slow to moderate
Growth Habit
Upright tree – multi-trunk
Mature Size
10-20 ft tall × 10-15 ft wide
Flower Color
Red to greenish (insignificant)
Foliage Color
Dark green
Landscape Use
Desert / Xeriscape, Foundation Planting, Hedge / Screen, Shade Tree
Garden Style
Desert / Xeriscape, Hedge / Formal, Mediterranean
Soil
Alkaline Tolerant, Moist Soil, Sandy / Rocky, Well-Drained
Companion Plants
Autumn sage, Desert spoon, Red yucca, Rosemary, Texas sage
Non-toxic
Non-toxic
Care Instructions

Light: Full sun to partial shade; tolerates reflected heat once established.

Water: Low water once established. Water deeply, then allow soil to dry between irrigations; provide supplemental deep watering during prolonged Phoenix summer heat. Water more regularly during establishment.

Soil: Well-drained sandy, gravelly, or loamy soil; tolerates alkaline soil. Avoid consistently wet soil and poorly drained planting sites.

Mature size: Typically 10–20 feet tall and 10–20 feet wide; occasionally larger with age and favorable conditions.

Bloom: Small, inconspicuous flowers in late winter to spring.

Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen.

Growth rate: Slow to moderate, depending on irrigation and growing conditions.