Damianita
Chrysactinia mexicana
A compact, fragrant perennial that fills courtyards with golden blooms and aromatic foliage through spring and fall.
Hardy in USDA zones 8-11; evergreen through low-desert winters and tolerant of both low- and mid-desert heat, hardy to roughly 10 degrees F.
AMWUA Notes
A superb low-water evergreen that holds its form and color on minimal irrigation once established.
Care Guide
Water deeply every 1-2 weeks in summer once established, tapering to monthly in winter; excellent drainage is essential to prevent root rot.
Shear the entire mound back by one-third after the spring bloom flush to keep it dense and prompt the fall flush; avoid cutting into bare old wood.
Not needed; a single spring dose of light organic mulch is plenty.
Virtually pest-free, and its resinous, aromatic foliage deters rabbits and deer.
Evergreen and needle-like in winter; the two big color pushes come in spring and again with cooler fall weather.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Lean, rocky or gravelly, fast-draining alkaline soils; excels in decomposed granite and caliche; rots in heavy clay or rich soil.
Needs sharp, fast-draining soil.
None — thrives in lean desert soil without fertilizer.
Semi-hardwood cuttings root readily; also grown from seed. Not typically divided.
2 ft
Minimal; a shallow-rooted evergreen with no invasive tendencies. Sharp drainage is the key to longevity.
Placement Tips
- •Use as a low evergreen edging or in tidy courtyard massings where its year-round green form matters.
- •Space 24 inches apart in groups for a continuous mounded ribbon of gold.
- •Site in full sun with reflected heat — shade makes it sparse and shy to bloom.
- •Pair near seating so butterflies visiting the flowers are easy to enjoy.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Wildlife Value
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
Love Damianita? 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 Damianita. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Damianita — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Damianita need in Phoenix?
Damianita is a low-water perennial once established. Water deeply every 1-2 weeks in summer once established, tapering to monthly in winter; excellent drainage is essential to prevent root rot. A superb low-water evergreen that holds its form and color on minimal irrigation once established.
How big does Damianita get?
Expect roughly 2 ft tall and 2 ft wide at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Allow about 2 ft of spacing when planting. Minimal; a shallow-rooted evergreen with no invasive tendencies. Sharp drainage is the key to longevity.
Can you plant Damianita near a pool?
Yes. Damianita is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated low.
Can Damianita handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Damianita is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 8-11; evergreen through low-desert winters and tolerant of both low- and mid-desert heat, hardy to roughly 10 degrees F. Evergreen and needle-like in winter; the two big color pushes come in spring and again with cooler fall weather.
Does Damianita have thorns?
No. Damianita is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Damianita safe around pets?
Damianita 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 Damianita bloom in Arizona?
Damianita blooms in spring, fall, with golden yellow flowers. The flowers are fragrant. The bloom draws butterflies, bees.
How much maintenance does Damianita need?
Damianita is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Shear the entire mound back by one-third after the spring bloom flush to keep it dense and prompt the fall flush; avoid cutting into bare old wood.
What kind of soil does Damianita need?
Lean, rocky or gravelly, fast-draining alkaline soils; excels in decomposed granite and caliche; rots in heavy clay or rich soil. It needs no supplemental feeding. Not needed; a single spring dose of light organic mulch is plenty.
Is Damianita native to Arizona?
No. Damianita is not an Arizona native; it originates from the New Mexico, West Texas, Mexico, but it is grown successfully in low-desert landscapes here.