Cenizo
Leucophyllum frutescens
Also listed as Terania frutescens, Leucophyllum texanum
Also known as Texas Ranger, Texas Sage, Texas Barometer Bush
Climate Match for your location
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A drought-tolerant Texas native shrub with narrow gray-green foliage that produces showy tubular pink, purple, or white flowers after summer rains. Extremely low-maintenance and heat-loving, requiring minimal water once established.
Why grow it
Cenizo outperforms many ornamental shrubs in low-water landscapes, flowering reliably with minimal supplemental irrigation once established in well-draining soil. Its late-summer bloom cycle (triggered by monsoon rains in its native range) makes it valuable for extending color in arid gardens when many other shrubs have faded. Among Texas native alternatives, it tolerates more extreme heat and drought than most comparable species while requiring less frequent pruning and maintenance than hybrid ornamentals.
Watch out for
In humid regions or with overwatering, cenizo becomes prone to root rot and fungal issues, so drainage and irrigation restraint are essential even in non-arid climates. Plants may appear sparse or leafless during dry periods before summer rains trigger growth, which can concern gardeners unfamiliar with this natural dormancy pattern.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Scrophulariaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Texas and northern Mexico
Native to: Texas
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A drought-tolerant Texas native shrub with narrow gray-green foliage that produces showy tubular pink, purple, or white flowers after summer rains. Extremely low-maintenance and heat-loving, requiring minimal water once established.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Cenizo grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Cenizo outperforms many ornamental shrubs in low-water landscapes, flowering reliably with minimal supplemental irrigation once established in well-draining soil. Its late-summer bloom cycle (triggered by monsoon rains in its native range) makes it valuable for extending color in arid gardens when many other shrubs have faded. Among Texas native alternatives, it tolerates more extreme heat and drought than most comparable species while requiring less frequent pruning and maintenance than hybrid ornamentals.
Watch out for
In humid regions or with overwatering, cenizo becomes prone to root rot and fungal issues, so drainage and irrigation restraint are essential even in non-arid climates. Plants may appear sparse or leafless during dry periods before summer rains trigger growth, which can concern gardeners unfamiliar with this natural dormancy pattern.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Scrophulariaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Texas and northern Mexico
Native to: Texas
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar shrubs you might consider:
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