Mexican Redbud – Desert Horizon Nursery

Mexican Redbud

Cercis canadensis var. mexicana
Categories:
Trees  ·  
Desert & Native Trees
Light
Full sun (afternoon shade in low desert)
Water
Low to moderate water once established; water deeply and let the upper soil dry between irrigations. Provide regular establishment watering and supplemental deep watering during Phoenix's hottest months.
Size
12-15 ft tall × 12-15 ft wide
Habit
Upright tree – multi-trunk
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Description
Small, drought-adapted ornamental tree native to northeastern Mexico and southwestern Texas, with rounded, leathery leaves and showy spring flowers on bare branches.
Bloom Time
Late winter to early spring
Deciduous / Evergreen
Deciduous
Special Features
Attracts Bees / Pollinators, Drought Tolerant
Growth Rate
Moderate
Growth Habit
Upright tree – multi-trunk
Mature Size
12-15 ft tall × 12-15 ft wide
Flower Color
Magenta-pink
Foliage Color
Dark green / glossy
Landscape Use
Container / Patio, Desert / Xeriscape, Pollinator / Wildlife Garden, Specimen / Accent
Garden Style
Desert / Xeriscape, Pollinator / Wildlife, Shade / Indoor
Soil
Alkaline Tolerant, Sandy / Rocky, Well-Drained
Companion Plants
Autumn sage, Blackfoot daisy, Damianita, Deer grass, Red yucca
Non-toxic
Non-toxic
Care Instructions

Light: Full sun to partial shade; in Phoenix, morning sun with afternoon shade is preferred. Avoid intense reflected heat from west-facing walls and pavement.

Water: Low to moderate water once established; water deeply and let the upper soil dry between irrigations. Provide regular establishment watering and supplemental deep watering during Phoenix’s hottest months.

Soil: Well-drained sandy, loamy, or rocky soil; tolerates alkaline and limestone soils. Avoid persistently wet soil and poorly drained planting sites.

Mature size: Usually 10–15 feet tall and wide; occasionally reaches about 20 feet under favorable conditions.

Bloom: Late winter to early spring, typically February–March in Phoenix, before or as leaves emerge.

Evergreen / deciduous: Deciduous.

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