How much sun does Coast oak need?

Coast oak grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Coast oak bloom?

Coast oak blooms in March and April.

Where is Coast oak native?

Coast oak (Quercus parvula) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What butterflies or moths does Coast oak host?

Coast oak is a larval host plant for California sister.

Coast oak

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Quercus parvula

Last reviewed: October 2026

Coast oak (Quercus parvula) is a perennial tree native to CA. It blooms in March and April. The flowers draw wind.

Toxicity unknown

Coast oak (Quercus parvula) 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

180"–600" H × 180"–480" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr

Native to

Pollinators

wind

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Southern California Mountains Northwestern Forested Mountains Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Evergreen oak with small, spine-toothed leathery leaves and a dense rounded canopy, producing acorns in fall. Grows on dry slopes and ridges, sometimes as a small tree and sometimes as a large multi-trunked shrub.

Growing Coast oak

Grow Coast oak in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 180 to 600 inches tall and spread 180 to 480 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Host plant for California sister.

Acorns are a major food source for birds and mammals, and the foliage is a larval host plant for the California sister butterfly.

Common questions

How much sun does Coast oak need?: Coast oak grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Coast oak bloom?: Coast oak blooms in March and April.
Where is Coast oak native?: Coast oak (Quercus parvula) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What butterflies or moths does Coast oak host?: Coast oak is a larval host plant for California sister.

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.

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