california brittlebush
Encelia californica
USDA zones10 to 11
SunNeeds full sun (6+ hours)
WaterNeeds dry soil
Size2 to 3 feet tall3 to 4 feet wide
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, winter
- Bloom color
- Yellow
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
California brittlebush (Encelia californica) is a shrub for borders, low maintenance gardens, and xeriscape. It grows outdoors year-round in USDA zone 10 and warmer, down to about 30°F (-1°C). In colder areas, grow it as a houseplant or bring it indoors for winter. This plant likes full sun and dry soil of most types. Two inch yellow daisy-like flowers with reddish-purple centers rise on long, leafless stalks. Cut it back by half in fall before new growth begins.
Pairs well with Eastern mojave buckwheat, Chia, and Blue paloverde.
Native range
AZ and CA.