Brittlebush
Encelia farinosa
An iconic Sonoran Desert native with silver foliage and bright yellow daisy flowers that support bees, butterflies, birds, and mammals.
Hardy in USDA zones 8-11; a quintessential low-desert native that handles extreme heat and mild frost, though hard freezes can damage top growth.
AMWUA Notes
One of the most iconic very-low-water Sonoran natives; needs no irrigation once established and can rot from overwatering.
Care Guide
Extremely drought tolerant; water only monthly or not at all once established, and avoid overwatering, which shortens its life and causes rot.
Shear back by half after the spring bloom to remove spent flower stalks and keep the silver mound dense; the short-lived plant looks ragged and woody if never cut back.
Never fertilize; it thrives in poor, rocky desert soil.
Free of serious pests.
Drought-deciduous with silvery leaves that curl and drop in heat and drought; it blankets itself in yellow daisies from late winter through spring, going dormant in the hottest, driest months.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Poor, rocky, fast-draining desert soils; thrives in caliche and alkaline pH 7.5-8.5.
Needs sharp, fast-draining soil.
None — thrives in lean desert soil without fertilizer.
From seed; self-sows abundantly.
3-4 ft
Shallow, non-aggressive roots; no hardscape concern.
Placement Tips
- •Compact at about 3 ft; space 3-4 ft apart and mass for the classic golden spring hillside effect.
- •A foundational filler among saguaro, ocotillo, and boulders in any Sonoran-native design.
- •Low litter suits pool areas, but deadhead the spent stalks for a clean look.
- •Requires full, hot sun and excellent drainage; it is short-lived but self-seeds readily.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Wildlife Value
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
Love Brittlebush? Our landscape team sources from wholesale nurseries and can incorporate it into your design.
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Use this care guide to maintain your Brittlebush. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Brittlebush — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Brittlebush need in Phoenix?
Brittlebush is a very low-water shrub once established. Extremely drought tolerant; water only monthly or not at all once established, and avoid overwatering, which shortens its life and causes rot. One of the most iconic very-low-water Sonoran natives; needs no irrigation once established and can rot from overwatering.
How big does Brittlebush get?
Expect roughly 3 ft tall and 4 ft wide at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Allow about 3-4 ft of spacing when planting. Shallow, non-aggressive roots; no hardscape concern.
Can you plant Brittlebush near a pool?
Yes. Brittlebush is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated low.
Can Brittlebush handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Brittlebush is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 8-11; a quintessential low-desert native that handles extreme heat and mild frost, though hard freezes can damage top growth. Drought-deciduous with silvery leaves that curl and drop in heat and drought; it blankets itself in yellow daisies from late winter through spring, going dormant in the hottest, driest months.
Does Brittlebush have thorns?
No. Brittlebush is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Brittlebush safe around pets?
Brittlebush is listed as pet-friendly in this guide. If your dog is a determined chewer, check any new plant with your vet before planting.
When does Brittlebush bloom in Arizona?
Brittlebush blooms in winter-spring, with yellow flowers. The bloom draws bees, butterflies.
How much maintenance does Brittlebush need?
Brittlebush is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Shear back by half after the spring bloom to remove spent flower stalks and keep the silver mound dense; the short-lived plant looks ragged and woody if never cut back.
What kind of soil does Brittlebush need?
Poor, rocky, fast-draining desert soils; thrives in caliche and alkaline pH 7.5-8.5. It needs no supplemental feeding. Never fertilize; it thrives in poor, rocky desert soil.
Is Brittlebush native to Arizona?
Yes. Brittlebush is native to Arizona and to the Sonoran Desert, so it is adapted to local rainfall, soil and heat.