How much sun does California buckthorn need?

California buckthorn grows best in part sun conditions.

When does California buckthorn bloom?

California buckthorn blooms in March, April, and May.

Where is California buckthorn native?

California buckthorn (Frangula californica) is native to AZ, CA, NM, NV and 1 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What butterflies or moths does California buckthorn host?

California buckthorn is a larval host plant for pale swallowtail.

California buckthorn

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Frangula californica

Last reviewed: September 2026

Toxicity unknown

California buckthorn (Frangula californica) 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

part sun

Water

low

Size

36"–180" H × 36"–120" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

AZ, CA, NM, NV and 1 more states

Pollinators

bees, flies

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

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Chihuahuan Deserts Madrean Archipelago Sonoran Basin and Range Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

A dense, rounded evergreen shrub with glossy oval leaves and small greenish flowers followed by red berries that ripen to black. Widely adaptable across chaparral, woodland understory, and coastal scrub, and easily shaped into a clean hedge.

Wildlife value

Host plant for pale swallowtail.

Berries feed songbirds and small mammals through summer and fall, and the foliage hosts pale swallowtail caterpillars.

Common questions

How much sun does California buckthorn need?: California buckthorn grows best in part sun conditions.
When does California buckthorn bloom?: California buckthorn blooms in March, April, and May.
Where is California buckthorn native?: California buckthorn (Frangula californica) is native to AZ, CA, NM, NV and 1 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What butterflies or moths does California buckthorn host?: California buckthorn is a larval host plant for pale swallowtail.

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 California buckthorn? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden

iPhone app Android app

Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz