Palo Brea
Parkinsonia praecox
A compact palo verde relative with smooth green bark and cheerful sulfur-yellow spring blooms from the Baja region.
Frost-sensitive, hardy to about 20-25°F and best in low desert; protect through the first winters.
AMWUA Notes
Very low water; a sculptural green-barked specimen that should not be overwatered.
Care Guide
Deep-soak monthly in summer once established; deep infrequent watering.
Prune in late winter to develop the picturesque branching and reveal the smooth green trunk; wear gloves for the sharp tips.
No fertilizer needed; a nitrogen-fixing legume.
Palo verde borer is possible.
Sulfur-yellow bloom in spring; drought-deciduous, shedding flowers, fine leaves, and pods.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Well-draining sandy, gravelly, or decomposed-granite soil; tolerates caliche and alkaline pH 7.5–8.5, and resents wet feet
Needs well-drained soil.
None — thrives in lean desert soil without fertilizer.
Grown from scarified seed; frost-tender when young
12–15 ft
Deep, non-aggressive roots; keep the sharp branch tips and litter back from pools and paths
Placement Tips
- •Compact at about 15 ft with a sculptural smooth green trunk, ideal as a courtyard specimen.
- •Sharp branch tips and seasonal litter, so keep it back from pools and paths.
- •Showcase the picturesque zigzag branching with uplighting.
- •Full sun with excellent drainage.
Features
Best Uses
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
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Use this care guide to maintain your Palo Brea. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Palo Brea — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Palo Brea need in Phoenix?
Palo Brea is a very low-water tree once established. Deep-soak monthly in summer once established; deep infrequent watering. Very low water; a sculptural green-barked specimen that should not be overwatered.
How big does Palo Brea 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. Deep, non-aggressive roots; keep the sharp branch tips and litter back from pools and paths.
Can you plant Palo Brea near a pool?
Not ideally. Palo Brea is not rated pool-friendly, so it is better placed away from the pool deck and skimmer. Litter is rated seasonal.
Can Palo Brea handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Palo Brea is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Frost-sensitive, hardy to about 20-25°F and best in low desert; protect through the first winters. Sulfur-yellow bloom in spring; drought-deciduous, shedding flowers, fine leaves, and pods.
Does Palo Brea have thorns?
Yes — Palo Brea has small thorns. Site it back from walkways, seating and pool decks where people brush past.
Is Palo Brea safe around pets?
Palo Brea 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 Palo Brea bloom in Arizona?
Palo Brea blooms in spring, with sulfur yellow flowers.
How much maintenance does Palo Brea need?
Palo Brea is moderate-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated seasonal. Prune in late winter to develop the picturesque branching and reveal the smooth green trunk; wear gloves for the sharp tips.
What kind of soil does Palo Brea need?
Well-draining sandy, gravelly, or decomposed-granite soil; tolerates caliche and alkaline pH 7.5–8.5, and resents wet feet. It needs no supplemental feeding. No fertilizer needed; a nitrogen-fixing legume.
Is Palo Brea native to Arizona?
No. Palo Brea is not an Arizona native; it originates from the Baja California, Sonora, Mexico, but it is grown successfully in low-desert landscapes here.