Feather Bush
Lysiloma watsonii
A lush native tree with feathery, fern-like foliage that gives a tropical feel to Sonoran Desert gardens.
Frost-sensitive, hardy to about 20-25°F and best in low desert; defoliates and dies back in a hard freeze, then recovers.
AMWUA Notes
Low to moderate water; a native, but its fine leaf litter is heavy, so site it away from pools.
Care Guide
Deep-soak weekly in peak summer and every two weeks otherwise once established.
Train the multi-trunk form to a tree or leave as a large shrub; thin in late winter and prune frost-damaged tips in spring.
No fertilizer needed; a nitrogen-fixing native.
Essentially pest-free.
Cream puffball flowers in late spring; drought- and cold-deciduous with heavy fine-leaf and pod litter.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Well-draining native, rocky, or decomposed-granite soil; tolerates caliche and alkaline pH 7.5–8.5
Needs well-drained soil.
None — thrives in lean desert soil without fertilizer.
Grown from scarified seed; frost-tender, so establish in a warm microclimate
12–15 ft
Non-aggressive roots; safe near hardscape, but keep 12+ ft from pools for heavy fine-leaf litter
Placement Tips
- •About 15 ft of lush, tropical-looking canopy; leaf litter is heavy, so keep it 12+ ft from pools and skimmers.
- •Frost-tender, so plant in a warm microclimate or south-facing exposure.
- •Grow as a multi-trunk specimen for a fern-like canopy in a Sonoran garden.
- •Full sun; give it room for its 15 ft spread.
Features
Best Uses
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
Love Feather 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 Feather Bush. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Feather Bush — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Feather Bush need in Phoenix?
Feather Bush is a low-water tree once established. Deep-soak weekly in peak summer and every two weeks otherwise once established. Low to moderate water; a native, but its fine leaf litter is heavy, so site it away from pools.
How big does Feather Bush get?
Expect roughly 15 ft tall and 15 ft wide at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Allow about 12–15 ft of spacing when planting. Non-aggressive roots; safe near hardscape, but keep 12+ ft from pools for heavy fine-leaf litter.
Can you plant Feather Bush near a pool?
Yes. Feather Bush is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated high.
Can Feather Bush handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Feather Bush is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Frost-sensitive, hardy to about 20-25°F and best in low desert; defoliates and dies back in a hard freeze, then recovers. Cream puffball flowers in late spring; drought- and cold-deciduous with heavy fine-leaf and pod litter.
Does Feather Bush have thorns?
No. Feather Bush is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Feather Bush safe around pets?
Feather 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 Feather Bush bloom in Arizona?
Feather Bush blooms in late spring, with cream flowers.
How much maintenance does Feather Bush need?
Feather Bush is high-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated high. Train the multi-trunk form to a tree or leave as a large shrub; thin in late winter and prune frost-damaged tips in spring.
What kind of soil does Feather Bush need?
Well-draining native, rocky, or decomposed-granite soil; tolerates caliche and alkaline pH 7.5–8.5. It needs no supplemental feeding. No fertilizer needed; a nitrogen-fixing native.
Is Feather Bush native to Arizona?
Yes. Feather Bush is native to Arizona and to the Arizona, Sonora, Mexico, so it is adapted to local rainfall, soil and heat.