Creosote Bush
Larrea tridentata
Also listed as Covillea tridentata, Larrea mexicana
Also known as Greasewood, Chaparral
Climate Match for your location
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A hardy desert shrub with tiny yellow flowers and intensely aromatic resinous foliage that thrives in extremely hot, dry conditions. It requires minimal water once established and is ideal for xeriscape landscapes in arid regions.
Why grow it
Creosote bush outperforms most competing xeriscape shrubs in extreme heat and drought, requiring virtually no supplemental water in established desert conditions. Unlike brittlebush or bur sage, it produces year-round aromatic foliage and maintains structure through prolonged dry spells, making it reliable where irrigation is impractical. Its dense branching provides good screening and wildlife cover in low-water landscapes across the Southwest.
Watch out for
Creosote bush can be slow to establish from seed and may take several years to reach mature size, so patience is required during early growth stages. The plant's dense, resinous foliage is highly flammable in fire-prone regions, making careful siting important near structures. While extremely drought-tolerant once established, newly planted specimens benefit from occasional deep watering during their first growing season to encourage root development.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Zygophyllaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Southwestern United States and Mexico (Sonoran, Mojave, and Chihuahuan deserts)
Native to: Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, Utah
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A hardy desert shrub with tiny yellow flowers and intensely aromatic resinous foliage that thrives in extremely hot, dry conditions. It requires minimal water once established and is ideal for xeriscape landscapes in arid regions.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Creosote Bush grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Creosote bush outperforms most competing xeriscape shrubs in extreme heat and drought, requiring virtually no supplemental water in established desert conditions. Unlike brittlebush or bur sage, it produces year-round aromatic foliage and maintains structure through prolonged dry spells, making it reliable where irrigation is impractical. Its dense branching provides good screening and wildlife cover in low-water landscapes across the Southwest.
Watch out for
Creosote bush can be slow to establish from seed and may take several years to reach mature size, so patience is required during early growth stages. The plant's dense, resinous foliage is highly flammable in fire-prone regions, making careful siting important near structures. While extremely drought-tolerant once established, newly planted specimens benefit from occasional deep watering during their first growing season to encourage root development.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Zygophyllaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Southwestern United States and Mexico (Sonoran, Mojave, and Chihuahuan deserts)
Native to: Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, Utah
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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