How much sun does Bishop pine need?

Bishop pine grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Bishop pine bloom?

Bishop pine blooms in April and May.

Where is Bishop pine native?

Bishop pine (Pinus muricata) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What butterflies or moths does Bishop pine host?

Bishop pine is a larval host plant for Pine White.

Bishop pine

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Pinus muricata

Last reviewed: November 2026

Bishop pine (Pinus muricata) is a perennial tree native to CA. It blooms in April and May. The flowers draw wind pollinated.

Watering reminders and freeze alerts for Bishop pine, free in the app.

Toxicity unknown

Bishop pine (Pinus muricata) 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

medium

Size

480"–960" H × 240"–360" W

Bloom

Apr, May

Native to

Pollinators

wind pollinated

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 461 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Picture 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 Bishop pine.

Try it with your yard

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Southern California Mountains Northwestern Forested Mountains Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

This pine is an evergreen conifer with an irregular, windswept crown and cones that often remain sealed on the tree for years, opening only with fire's heat. It grows along the coast in fire-adapted stands.

Growing Bishop pine

Grow Bishop pine in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 480 to 960 inches tall and spread 240 to 360 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Host plant for Pine White.

As a wind-pollinated conifer it offers little to pollinators directly, but pines as a group are a documented host for the Pine White butterfly, and the persistent cones feed seed-eating birds.

Common questions

How much sun does Bishop pine need?: Bishop pine grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Bishop pine bloom?: Bishop pine blooms in April and May.
Where is Bishop pine native?: Bishop pine (Pinus muricata) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What butterflies or moths does Bishop pine host?: Bishop pine is a larval host plant for Pine White.

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.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Bishop pine? Add it to your garden in the Pollinator Patch App to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden

iPhone app Android app