Bigcone pine
Pinus coulteri
Last reviewed: October 2026
Bigcone pine (Pinus coulteri) is a perennial tree native to CA. It blooms in April and May.
Toxicity unknown
Bigcone pine (Pinus coulteri) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
360"–960" H × 240"–360" W
Bloom
Apr, May
Native to
CA
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaPicture natives in your own yard
Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Bigcone pine.
Browse plants for this ecoregion
A large evergreen conifer with long, stiff, blue-green needles in bundles of three and massive, heavy cones armed with hooked spines. Grows on dry slopes and ridges, tolerating poor soil and drought once established.
Growing Bigcone pine
Grow Bigcone pine in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 360 to 960 inches tall and spread 240 to 360 inches wide.
Wildlife value
The enormous cones and seeds are an important food source for squirrels and jays, and the open canopy provides nesting sites for raptors.
Common questions
- How much sun does Bigcone pine need?
- Bigcone pine grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Bigcone pine bloom?
- Bigcone pine blooms in April and May.
- Where is Bigcone pine native?
- Bigcone pine (Pinus coulteri) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Bigcone pine? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.