Mangle Dulce
Maytenus phyllanthoides
A large, very drought-tolerant shrub from Baja California and Sonora with white-lavender blooms that attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and birds.
Hardy in USDA zones 9-11; a coastal-desert native tolerant of low-desert heat, salinity, and light frost, evergreen in mild winters.
AMWUA Notes
A very-low-water, salt-tolerant coastal-desert shrub; its sharp branch tips warrant placement away from walkways, and it needs little irrigation once established.
Care Guide
Very drought and salt tolerant; water every 2-3 weeks in summer to keep the glossy evergreen foliage dense, then reduce in winter, relying largely on rain.
Prune to shape as a large shrub or screen in late winter; the branch tips are sharp, so wear gloves, and light shaping is all it needs.
No fertilizer needed; it tolerates poor, saline soils.
Free of significant pests.
Evergreen with leathery leaves; inconspicuous white-lavender flowers appear in late winter to spring and again in fall, feeding pollinators and yielding bird-favored fruit.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Tolerates saline, alkaline, and caliche soils; wants good drainage at pH 7.5-8.5.
Needs well-drained soil.
None — thrives in lean desert soil without fertilizer.
From seed or semi-hardwood cuttings.
6-7 ft
Non-aggressive roots; safe near hardscape, though sharp tips keep it off walkways.
Placement Tips
- •A dense 8 ft shrub; space 6-7 ft apart as an evergreen screen or large informal hedge.
- •Its salt tolerance suits it to reflected, tough, or coastal-style situations.
- •The sharp branch tips and screening scale keep it away from pool decks and barefoot zones.
- •Full sun; use as background structure and wildlife cover in a native design.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Wildlife Value
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
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Use this care guide to maintain your Mangle Dulce. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Mangle Dulce — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Mangle Dulce need in Phoenix?
Mangle Dulce is a very low-water shrub once established. Very drought and salt tolerant; water every 2-3 weeks in summer to keep the glossy evergreen foliage dense, then reduce in winter, relying largely on rain. A very-low-water, salt-tolerant coastal-desert shrub; its sharp branch tips warrant placement away from walkways, and it needs little irrigation once established.
How big does Mangle Dulce get?
Expect roughly 8 ft tall and 8 ft wide at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Allow about 6-7 ft of spacing when planting. Non-aggressive roots; safe near hardscape, though sharp tips keep it off walkways.
Can you plant Mangle Dulce near a pool?
Not ideally. Mangle Dulce is not rated pool-friendly, so it is better placed away from the pool deck and skimmer. Litter is rated low.
Can Mangle Dulce handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Mangle Dulce is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 9-11; a coastal-desert native tolerant of low-desert heat, salinity, and light frost, evergreen in mild winters. Evergreen with leathery leaves; inconspicuous white-lavender flowers appear in late winter to spring and again in fall, feeding pollinators and yielding bird-favored fruit.
Does Mangle Dulce have thorns?
Yes — Mangle Dulce has small thorns. Site it back from walkways, seating and pool decks where people brush past.
Is Mangle Dulce safe around pets?
Mangle Dulce 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 Mangle Dulce bloom in Arizona?
Mangle Dulce blooms in late winter-spring, fall, with white-lavender flowers. The bloom draws butterflies, hummingbirds.
How much maintenance does Mangle Dulce need?
Mangle Dulce is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Prune to shape as a large shrub or screen in late winter; the branch tips are sharp, so wear gloves, and light shaping is all it needs.
What kind of soil does Mangle Dulce need?
Tolerates saline, alkaline, and caliche soils; wants good drainage at pH 7.5-8.5. It needs no supplemental feeding. No fertilizer needed; it tolerates poor, saline soils.
Is Mangle Dulce native to Arizona?
No. Mangle Dulce is not an Arizona native; it originates from the Baja California, Sonora, but it is grown successfully in low-desert landscapes here.