Blue palo verde
Parkinsonia florida
Last reviewed: October 2026
Blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida) is a perennial tree native to AZ, CA, NV. It blooms in April and May. The flowers draw bees.
Toxicity unknown
Blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida) 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
180"–360" H × 180"–300" W
Bloom
Apr, May
Native to
AZ, CA, NV
Pollinators
bees
Before you buy
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
A small, blue-green barked tree called blue palo verde, with tiny fern-like leaves that drop early, leaving the smooth photosynthetic bark to carry on much of the plant's energy production. A vivid flush of yellow flowers covers the canopy in spring.
Growing Blue palo verde
Grow Blue palo verde in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 180 to 360 inches tall and spread 180 to 300 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Host plant for southern dogface.
A larval host for southern dogface butterflies, and its spring flower display is a major nectar event for native bees in the desert.
Common questions
- How much sun does Blue palo verde need?
- Blue palo verde grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Blue palo verde bloom?
- Blue palo verde blooms in April and May.
- Where is Blue palo verde native?
- Blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida) is native to AZ, CA, NV, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What butterflies or moths does Blue palo verde host?
- Blue palo verde is a larval host plant for southern dogface.
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 Blue palo verde? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.