California juniper
Juniperus californica
Last reviewed: September 2026
Toxicity unknown
California juniper (Juniperus 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
full sun
Water
low
Size
120"–360" H × 120"–240" W
Bloom
Sep, Oct, Nov
Native to
AZ, CA, NV
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 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
This juniper is a small, often multi-trunked evergreen tree with scale-like blue-green foliage and a picturesque, gnarled form. It grows on dry desert and foothill slopes, tolerating very little water once established.
Wildlife value
Host plant for Juniper Hairstreak.
The berry-like cones are eaten by birds and small mammals, and the foliage is a documented larval host for the Juniper Hairstreak butterfly.
Common questions
- How much sun does California juniper need?
- California juniper grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does California juniper bloom?
- California juniper blooms in September, October, and November.
- Where is California juniper native?
- California juniper (Juniperus californica) is native to AZ, CA, NV, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What butterflies or moths does California juniper host?
- California juniper is a larval host plant for Juniper Hairstreak.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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
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