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shrubArizona NativePool FriendlyPet FriendlyFragrantPollinator Plant

Creosote Bush

Larrea tridentata

Creosote Bush

The iconic desert shrub known for its distinctive rain-triggered fragrance, supporting bees and wildlife across the Sonoran Desert.

Hardy in USDA zones 8-11; the defining shrub of three North American deserts, it withstands extreme heat, drought, and mid-desert frost with ease.

AMWUA Notes

The archetypal very-low-water desert native despite its high listing; needs essentially no irrigation and is one of the longest-lived plants on Earth.

Care Guide

💧Watering

Despite the high listing, established plants are among the most drought tolerant of all desert shrubs and need water only monthly at most; occasional deep soaks keep them denser and greener.

✂️Pruning

Prune minimally, thinning to reveal the sculptural branch structure; avoid shearing this slow, characterful shrub, which is prized for its open natural form.

🌱Fertilizing

Never fertilize; it thrives in the poorest desert soils and can live for centuries.

🛡️Pests

Effectively pest-free; its resinous foliage is chemically defended against nearly all browsers.

☀️Seasonal Notes

Evergreen with resinous leaves that release the iconic desert rain scent; small yellow flowers and fuzzy white seed capsules appear mainly after summer rains.

Soil, Feeding & Propagation

🪨Soil

The poorest rocky, gravelly desert soils; thrives in caliche and alkaline pH 7.5-8.5.

💧Drainage

Needs sharp, fast-draining soil.

🌱Nutrient Needs

None — thrives in lean desert soil without fertilizer.

🌰Propagation

From seed (difficult; needs scarification and treatment); very slow.

📐Spacing

5-6 ft

🌳Roots & Placement

Deep, non-aggressive roots; mildly allelopathic but no hardscape risk.

Placement Tips

  • •A rounded 6 ft shrub; space 5-6 ft apart or use singly as an iconic native specimen.
  • •Essential for authentic Sonoran and restoration designs, pairing with saguaro, bursage, and wildflowers.
  • •Low litter and thornless form make it pool-friendly, and its scent after irrigation is a feature.
  • •Plant in full sun with sharp drainage; it is effectively immortal and needs almost nothing once set.

Features

Iconic desert fragrance after rainAttracts bees and wildlifeMulti-desert nativeExtremely long-lived

Best Uses

Native landscapeWildlife habitatDesert restoration

Ecological Value

Attracts

bees

Wildlife Value

beeswildlife

Quick Stats

Water NeedsVery Low (Xeric)
Sun Exposurefull sun
Mature Size6 ft H × 6 ft W
Growth Ratemoderate
Maintenancelow
HardinessUSDA 9-11
FoliageEvergreen
Drainagesharp, fast-draining
Bloom SeasonSummer-Fall
Bloom ColorWhite/Pink/Purple
Litter Levellow
ThornsNone
Native RegionChihuahuan, Mohave, and Sonoran Deserts

Design Styles

native habitatlow maintenance

Include in Your Project

Love Creosote Bush? 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 Creosote Bush. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.

Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.

Creosote Bush — common questions

Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.

How much water does Creosote Bush need in Phoenix?

Creosote Bush is a very low-water shrub once established. Despite the high listing, established plants are among the most drought tolerant of all desert shrubs and need water only monthly at most; occasional deep soaks keep them denser and greener. The archetypal very-low-water desert native despite its high listing; needs essentially no irrigation and is one of the longest-lived plants on Earth.

How big does Creosote Bush get?

Expect roughly 6 ft tall and 6 ft wide at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Allow about 5-6 ft of spacing when planting. Deep, non-aggressive roots; mildly allelopathic but no hardscape risk.

Can you plant Creosote Bush near a pool?

Yes. Creosote Bush is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated low.

Can Creosote Bush handle Arizona heat and winter frost?

Creosote Bush is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 8-11; the defining shrub of three North American deserts, it withstands extreme heat, drought, and mid-desert frost with ease. Evergreen with resinous leaves that release the iconic desert rain scent; small yellow flowers and fuzzy white seed capsules appear mainly after summer rains.

Does Creosote Bush have thorns?

No. Creosote Bush is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.

Is Creosote Bush safe around pets?

Creosote Bush 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 Creosote Bush bloom in Arizona?

Creosote Bush blooms in summer-fall, with white/pink/purple flowers. The flowers are fragrant. The bloom draws bees.

How much maintenance does Creosote Bush need?

Creosote Bush is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Prune minimally, thinning to reveal the sculptural branch structure; avoid shearing this slow, characterful shrub, which is prized for its open natural form.

What kind of soil does Creosote Bush need?

The poorest rocky, gravelly desert soils; thrives in caliche and alkaline pH 7.5-8.5. It needs no supplemental feeding. Never fertilize; it thrives in the poorest desert soils and can live for centuries.

Is Creosote Bush native to Arizona?

Yes. Creosote Bush is native to Arizona and to the Chihuahuan, Mohave, and Sonoran Deserts, so it is adapted to local rainfall, soil and heat.