ocotillo
Fouquieria splendens
USDA zones8 to 11
SunHandles full sun to partial shade
WaterNeeds dry soil
Size8 to 20 feet tall5 to 10 feet wide
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn, winter
- Bloom color
- Red , orange
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) is a shrub for specimen planting, hedges, privacy screens, and xeriscape. It is hardy to USDA zone 8, or down to 10°F (-12°C). This plant likes full sun to part shade and dry, sandy or loamy soil. Its long, spiny stems are bare most of the year, but bright green leaves appear after rain. Scarlet flowers form at the tips of the stems and attract hummingbirds and bees. Deer usually look elsewhere for a meal.
Pairs well with Brittlebush, Desert mallow, Blue paloverde, and Desert marigold.
Native range
AZ, CA, NM, NV, and 1 more places. See all 5
AZ, CA, NM, NV, and TX.