How much sun does Chaparral lotus need?

Chaparral lotus grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Chaparral lotus bloom?

Chaparral lotus blooms in April, May, and June.

Where is Chaparral lotus native?

Chaparral lotus (Acmispon grandiflorus) is native to CA, OR, WA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What butterflies or moths does Chaparral lotus host?

Chaparral lotus is a larval host plant for acmon blue.

Chaparral lotus

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Acmispon grandiflorus

Last reviewed: November 2026

Chaparral lotus (Acmispon grandiflorus) is a perennial forb native to CA, OR, WA. It blooms in April, May, and June. The flowers draw bees.

Watering reminders and freeze alerts for Chaparral lotus, free in the app.

Toxicity unknown

Chaparral lotus (Acmispon grandiflorus) 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

12"–24" H × 18"–30" W

Bloom

Apr, May, Jun

Native to

CA, OR, WA

Pollinators

bees

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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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 Chaparral lotus.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Southern California Mountains Mojave Basin and Range Northwestern Forested Mountains Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

A sprawling, wiry-stemmed perennial with small trifoliate leaves and clusters of large yellow pea-like flowers that fade to orange-red as they age, giving the plant a bicolor look. Grows loosely along dry slopes and roadsides.

Growing Chaparral lotus

Grow Chaparral lotus in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 24 inches tall and spread 18 to 30 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Host plant for acmon blue.

A larval host for acmon blue butterflies and a nectar source for native bees during spring bloom.

Common questions

How much sun does Chaparral lotus need?: Chaparral lotus grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Chaparral lotus bloom?: Chaparral lotus blooms in April, May, and June.
Where is Chaparral lotus native?: Chaparral lotus (Acmispon grandiflorus) is native to CA, OR, WA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What butterflies or moths does Chaparral lotus host?: Chaparral lotus is a larval host plant for acmon blue.

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.

See all plant problem guides

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

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