Creosote bush
Larrea tridentata · Zygophyllaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around creosote bush and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Common name
- Creosote bush
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Blooming
- April to June, yellow flowers
- Mature size
- 1.5 to 3 m in height
- Hardiness
- Frost-tender, hot desert climate
- Origin
- Deserts of North America and Mexico
- Growth
- Slow
- Soil type
- Very well-draining, poor, arid
Care
Watering
Water very sparingly once established. In temperate climates or indoors, wait for the soil to dry completely between waterings. During active growth, light watering every 15 to 20 days is sufficient. Avoid stagnant moisture which causes root rot.
Light
Place the creosote bush in direct full sun, at least 6 to 8 hours per day. This plant needs intense light to thrive. In mild climates, south or west-facing exposure is ideal.
Soil
Use a very well-draining substrate: a mix of cactus soil, coarse sand and gravel. The soil should be poor and low in fertility, mimicking its natural desert environment. Add trace elements if grown in pots for extended periods.
Pruning
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a harmonious shape. Remove dead or diseased branches in spring. Drastic pruning is generally not necessary; this plant grows slowly and is naturally compact.
Fertilizer
Apply very diluted fertilizer once or twice in spring. The creosote bush prefers poor soils; excess nutrients slow its natural growth and can weaken its resilience.
Diseases and pests
In humid conditions, root rot and fungal issues are the main risks. Ensure good air circulation and maintain low humidity. Pests are rare in temperate climates; watch for scale insects and spider mites indoors.
Did you know?
The creosote bush has one of the longest lifespans in the plant kingdom: some individuals in the Mojave Desert are said to be over 11,000 years old. Moreover, its leaves contain nordihydroguaiaretic acid, an antimicrobial compound so powerful that the plant has been traditionally used as a remedy by indigenous peoples of the American Southwest.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Puncture vineTribulus terrestris
- Gonopterodendron arboreumGonopterodendron arboreum
- Desert dateBalanites aegyptiaca
- GrapevineVitis vinifera
- Pedunculate oakQuercus robur
- CamelliaCamellia japonica
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.