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ROC #343460

shrubArizona NativePool FriendlyPet FriendlyFragrant

Turpentine Bush

Ericameria laricifolia

A compact, fragrant Sonoran Desert native with yellow blooms in late summer and fall that support local wildlife.

Hardy in USDA zones 7-11; a multi-desert native tolerant of cold mid-desert winters and extreme low-desert heat, evergreen and unprotected.

AMWUA Notes

A very-low-water aromatic native that blooms in fall after monsoons; needs no supplemental irrigation once established.

Care Guide

💧Watering

Very drought tolerant; water monthly at most in summer once established and it survives on rainfall alone.

✂️Pruning

Shear or head back lightly in early spring to keep the fine-needled mound dense and tidy; it takes shaping well but needs little.

🌱Fertilizing

No fertilizer needed in native soil.

🛡️Pests

Pest-free; the resinous, turpentine-scented foliage deters browsing.

☀️Seasonal Notes

Evergreen with aromatic needle-like leaves; it covers itself in golden flowers in late summer and fall, a key late-season nectar source after monsoon rains.

Soil, Feeding & Propagation

🪨Soil

Rocky, gravelly, fast-draining soils; thrives in caliche and alkaline pH 7.5-8.5.

💧Drainage

Needs sharp, fast-draining soil.

🌱Nutrient Needs

None — thrives in lean desert soil without fertilizer.

🌰Propagation

From seed or semi-hardwood cuttings.

📐Spacing

2-3 ft

🌳Roots & Placement

Shallow, non-aggressive roots; safe near pools and paths.

Placement Tips

•A neat 2 ft by 3 ft mound; space 2-3 ft apart and mass for a fall-blooming golden groundcover effect.
•Its fine green texture and low litter make it a clean edger for paths, pools, and patios.
•Excellent filler among boulders, cacti, and accents in a native design.
•Plant in full sun with sharp drainage; it thrives on hot, rocky exposures.

Features

Fragrant foliageYellow late-summer bloomsSonoran Desert nativeVery drought tolerant

Best Uses

Native landscapeWildlife habitatLow-water garden

Ecological Value

Wildlife Value

wildlife

Companion Plants

shrub

Native

Brittlebush

Encelia farinosa

An iconic Sonoran Desert native with silver foliage and bright yellow daisy flowers that support bees, butterflies, birds, and mammals.

Very Low Waterfull sunPool Safe

shrub

Native

Triangleleaf Bursage

Ambrosia deltoidea

A compact Sonoran Desert native shrub with low litter and excellent pollinator value for butterflies and hummingbirds.

Very Low Waterfull sunPool Safe

perennial

Damianita

Chrysactinia mexicana

A compact, fragrant perennial that fills courtyards with golden blooms and aromatic foliage through spring and fall.

Low Waterfull sunPool Safe

succulent

Red Yucca

Hesperaloe parviflora

One of the toughest and most rewarding desert plants, sending up arching coral-red flower spikes that hummingbirds adore.

Very Low Waterfull sunPool Safe

Quick Stats

Water NeedsVery Low (Xeric)

Sun Exposurefull sun

Mature Size2 ft H × 3 ft W

Growth Ratemoderate

Maintenancelow

HardinessUSDA 9-11

FoliageEvergreen

Drainagesharp, fast-draining

Bloom SeasonLate summer-Fall

Bloom ColorYellow

Litter Levellow

ThornsNone

Native RegionChihuahuan, Mohave, and Sonoran Deserts

Design Styles

native habitatlow maintenancedesert modern

Include in Your Project

Love Turpentine 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 Turpentine Bush. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.

Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.

Turpentine Bush — common questions

Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.

How much water does Turpentine Bush need in Phoenix?

Turpentine Bush is a very low-water shrub once established. Very drought tolerant; water monthly at most in summer once established and it survives on rainfall alone. A very-low-water aromatic native that blooms in fall after monsoons; needs no supplemental irrigation once established.

How big does Turpentine Bush get?

Expect roughly 2 ft tall and 3 ft wide at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Allow about 2-3 ft of spacing when planting. Shallow, non-aggressive roots; safe near pools and paths.

Can you plant Turpentine Bush near a pool?

Yes. Turpentine Bush is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated low.

Can Turpentine Bush handle Arizona heat and winter frost?

Turpentine Bush is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 7-11; a multi-desert native tolerant of cold mid-desert winters and extreme low-desert heat, evergreen and unprotected. Evergreen with aromatic needle-like leaves; it covers itself in golden flowers in late summer and fall, a key late-season nectar source after monsoon rains.

Does Turpentine Bush have thorns?

No. Turpentine Bush is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.

Is Turpentine Bush safe around pets?

Turpentine 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 Turpentine Bush bloom in Arizona?

Turpentine Bush blooms in late summer-fall, with yellow flowers. The flowers are fragrant.

How much maintenance does Turpentine Bush need?

Turpentine Bush is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Shear or head back lightly in early spring to keep the fine-needled mound dense and tidy; it takes shaping well but needs little.

What kind of soil does Turpentine Bush need?

Rocky, gravelly, fast-draining soils; thrives in caliche and alkaline pH 7.5-8.5. It needs no supplemental feeding. No fertilizer needed in native soil.

Is Turpentine Bush native to Arizona?

Yes. Turpentine Bush is native to Arizona and to the Chihuahuan, Mohave, and Sonoran Deserts, so it is adapted to local rainfall, soil and heat.