Carried by 29 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora
Brittlebush (Encelia farinosa) is a fragrant, flowering shrub native to desert habitats. It features soft gray-white leaves and bright yellow daisy-like flowers that attract butterflies, while birds eat its seeds. Its common name, Incienso, comes from its aromatic, resinous sap, traditionally used as incense in Mexico.
This shrub thrives in dry conditions and is well-suited for slopes, hillsides, and desert gardens. It is partially drought-deciduous in summer but will keep its leaves with occasional watering.
Shrub
1 - 5 ft Tall
4 ft Wide
Rounded, Mounding
Fast
Summer Semi-deciduous
Slight
Yellow, Brown
Spring, Winter
Bank stabilization
Full Sun
Very Low, Low
Max 1x / month once established
Easy
Tolerates cold to 20° F
Fast, Medium
Prefers sandy or decomposed granite soil.
Soil PH: 7.0 - 9.0
May be deadheaded to increase flowering, or may be pruned as desired in summer or fall.
Propagates readily from seed
8*, 9*, 10*, 11*, 12*, 13*, 14*, 15, 16, 18, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24*
Native to the Colorado and Mojave Deserts, it is found in very arid slopes, canyons, washes and alluvial fans in fast-draining sandy, gravelly soil, often among boulders but also in pure sand.
Creosote Bush Scrub, Desert-Holly Scrub, Joshua Tree Woodland
Creosote Bush (Larrea tridentata), Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens ssp. splendens), Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis), Blue Paloverde, White Bursage (Ambrosia dumosa), Chuparosa (Justicia californica), Barrel Cactus, Desert Lavender (Condea emoryi), Indigo Bush, Apricot Mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua var. rugosa), Opuntia spp., numerous annual wildflowers
Butterflies and moths supported
0 confirmed and 3 likely
Orange Tortrix Moth
Argyrotaenia franciscana
Fatal Metalmark
Calephelis nemesis
Dwarf Tawny Wave
Cyclophora nanaria