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.

California juniper

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Juniperus californica

Last reviewed: November 2026

California juniper (Juniperus californica) is a perennial tree native to AZ, CA, NV. It blooms in September, October, and November. The flowers draw wind pollinated.

Watering reminders and freeze alerts for California juniper, free in the app.

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

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Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like California juniper.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

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

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.

Growing California juniper

Grow California juniper in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 120 to 360 inches tall and spread 120 to 240 inches wide.

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.

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