Cleomella arborea
Cleomella arborea
Last reviewed: October 2026
Cleomella arborea is a perennial shrub native to AZ, CA. It blooms in March, April, and May. The flowers draw bees.

Toxicity unknown
Cleomella arborea 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
24"–60" H × 24"–48" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May
Native to
AZ, CA
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 460 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaPicture natives in your own yard
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
Woody-based subshrub with compound leaves and clusters of small yellow four-petaled flowers in spring, growing on dry alkaline flats and desert slopes.
Growing Cleomella arborea
Grow Cleomella arborea in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 24 to 60 inches tall and spread 24 to 48 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Spring flowers provide nectar and pollen for native bees in arid habitats.
Common questions
- How much sun does Cleomella arborea need?
- Cleomella arborea grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Cleomella arborea bloom?
- Cleomella arborea blooms in March, April, and May.
- Where is Cleomella arborea native?
- Cleomella arborea is native to AZ, CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Cleomella arborea attract?
- Cleomella arborea draws bees.
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 Cleomella arborea? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
