Paperflower
Psilostrophe cooperi
A resilient desert native whose papery yellow blooms intensify with the monsoon rains and last for months.
Hardy in USDA zones 8-11; an evergreen low-desert native that shrugs off frost and extreme heat alike across low and mid elevations.
AMWUA Notes
Among the toughest, lowest-water flowering perennials, blooming for months on rainfall plus rare deep soaks.
Care Guide
Extremely drought tolerant — water every 2-3 weeks in summer and rarely in winter; it blooms hardest after monsoon moisture and needs sharp drainage.
Shear the mound back by a third once the papery flowers finish and turn tan to renew growth and prompt more bloom; a hard late-winter cut keeps it compact.
Never fertilize; rich soil causes weak, floppy, short-lived growth.
No notable pests; overwatering is the primary risk.
Evergreen mound that flowers spring through fall, peaking with the summer monsoon; reseeds modestly. The dried flowers persist as papery tan bracts.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Lean, rocky, gravelly, fast-draining desert soils; thrives in decomposed granite and caliche; rots in rich or wet soil.
Needs sharp, fast-draining soil.
None — thrives in lean desert soil without fertilizer.
Seed; direct-sow and it reseeds modestly into gravel. Short-lived; not divided.
2 ft
Minimal; a short-lived mound renewed by light reseeding. Overwatering is the chief risk.
Placement Tips
- •Mass in rock gardens and gravel beds for a low, long-lasting cushion of yellow.
- •Keep at the front or middle of a desert border where its 1-foot mound stays visible.
- •Site in the hottest, driest, most reflected-heat spots — it thrives where others struggle.
- •Let it reseed lightly into decomposed granite for a naturalized look.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
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Use this care guide to maintain your Paperflower. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Paperflower — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Paperflower need in Phoenix?
Paperflower is a very low-water perennial once established. Extremely drought tolerant — water every 2-3 weeks in summer and rarely in winter; it blooms hardest after monsoon moisture and needs sharp drainage. Among the toughest, lowest-water flowering perennials, blooming for months on rainfall plus rare deep soaks.
How big does Paperflower get?
Expect roughly 1 ft tall and 2 ft wide at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Allow about 2 ft of spacing when planting. Minimal; a short-lived mound renewed by light reseeding. Overwatering is the chief risk.
Can you plant Paperflower near a pool?
Yes. Paperflower is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated low.
Can Paperflower handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Paperflower is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 8-11; an evergreen low-desert native that shrugs off frost and extreme heat alike across low and mid elevations. Evergreen mound that flowers spring through fall, peaking with the summer monsoon; reseeds modestly. The dried flowers persist as papery tan bracts.
Does Paperflower have thorns?
No. Paperflower is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Paperflower safe around pets?
Paperflower 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 Paperflower bloom in Arizona?
Paperflower blooms in spring-fall, with yellow flowers. The bloom draws bees, butterflies.
How much maintenance does Paperflower need?
Paperflower is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Shear the mound back by a third once the papery flowers finish and turn tan to renew growth and prompt more bloom; a hard late-winter cut keeps it compact.
What kind of soil does Paperflower need?
Lean, rocky, gravelly, fast-draining desert soils; thrives in decomposed granite and caliche; rots in rich or wet soil. It needs no supplemental feeding. Never fertilize; rich soil causes weak, floppy, short-lived growth.
Is Paperflower native to Arizona?
Yes. Paperflower is native to Arizona and to the Southwestern US, Northern Mexico, so it is adapted to local rainfall, soil and heat.