Yellow Bulbine
Bulbine frutescens
A low-growing succulent ground cover with cheerful yellow flower spikes that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Root-hardy to about 25°F, USDA 9-11; a low-desert groundcover succulent that recovers from light frost.
AMWUA Notes
Low-water spreading succulent offering long-season pollinator bloom.
Care Guide
Water every 1-2 weeks in the warm season to keep it flowering; more tolerant of regular water than most succulents but still needs drainage.
Shear off spent flower stalks and tidy the clump periodically to promote continuous bloom.
A light spring feeding extends the long bloom season.
Largely pest-free; watch for aphids on the flower stalks.
Frost may knock it back below 28°F but it recovers quickly, blooming nearly year-round in mild winters.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Well-draining sandy or gritty soil; tolerates slightly more organic matter than most succulents
Needs well-drained soil.
Low feeder.
Division of the spreading clump or cuttings
1-2 ft
Shallow, non-invasive fibrous roots; soft and pool-safe
Placement Tips
- •Use as a low border, container filler or pollinator edging.
- •Soft and spineless, so safe near pools, paths and play areas.
- •Plant in well-draining soil.
- •Space 1-2 ft apart for a spreading mat.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
Love Yellow Bulbine? 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 Yellow Bulbine. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Yellow Bulbine — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Yellow Bulbine need in Phoenix?
Yellow Bulbine is a low-water succulent once established. Water every 1-2 weeks in the warm season to keep it flowering; more tolerant of regular water than most succulents but still needs drainage. Low-water spreading succulent offering long-season pollinator bloom.
How big does Yellow Bulbine get?
Expect roughly 1 ft tall and 2 ft wide at maturity, with a slow growth rate. Allow about 1-2 ft of spacing when planting. Shallow, non-invasive fibrous roots; soft and pool-safe.
Can you plant Yellow Bulbine near a pool?
Yes. Yellow Bulbine is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated low.
Can Yellow Bulbine handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Yellow Bulbine is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Root-hardy to about 25°F, USDA 9-11; a low-desert groundcover succulent that recovers from light frost. Frost may knock it back below 28°F but it recovers quickly, blooming nearly year-round in mild winters.
Does Yellow Bulbine have thorns?
No. Yellow Bulbine is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Yellow Bulbine safe around pets?
Yellow Bulbine 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 Yellow Bulbine bloom in Arizona?
Yellow Bulbine blooms in winter-spring, with yellow flowers. The bloom draws bees, butterflies, hummingbirds.
How much maintenance does Yellow Bulbine need?
Yellow Bulbine is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Shear off spent flower stalks and tidy the clump periodically to promote continuous bloom.
What kind of soil does Yellow Bulbine need?
Well-draining sandy or gritty soil; tolerates slightly more organic matter than most succulents. Nutrient needs are low. A light spring feeding extends the long bloom season.
Is Yellow Bulbine native to Arizona?
No. Yellow Bulbine is not an Arizona native; it originates from the South Africa, but it is grown successfully in low-desert landscapes here.