Desert peach
Prunus andersonii
Last reviewed: October 2026
Desert peach (Prunus andersonii) is a perennial shrub native to CA, NV. It blooms in March and April. The flowers draw bees.
Desert peach is toxic to dogs and cats.
Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-08-15). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 and your veterinarian's emergency line.
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.
Native swaps for a yard with pets
Desert peach is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. These natives fill a similar role in a planting and are not on the ASPCA toxic plant list for dogs or cats. Each plant's page carries its dated record.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
24"–72" H × 36"–72" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr
Native to
CA, NV
Pollinators
bees
Before you buy
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
A spiny, densely branched desert shrub covered in bright pink flowers in early spring before the small leaves emerge, followed by fuzzy, sour, peach-like fruit.
Growing Desert peach
Grow Desert peach in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 24 to 72 inches tall and spread 36 to 72 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Host plant for western tiger swallowtail.
Early spring flowers support native bees, foliage is a larval host for western tiger swallowtail caterpillars, and fruit is eaten by wildlife.
Common questions
- How much sun does Desert peach need?
- Desert peach grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Desert peach bloom?
- Desert peach blooms in March and April.
- Where is Desert peach native?
- Desert peach (Prunus andersonii) is native to CA, NV, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- Is Desert peach toxic to dogs?
- Yes. Desert peach is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- Is Desert peach toxic to cats?
- Yes. Desert peach is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- What butterflies or moths does Desert peach host?
- Desert peach is a larval host plant for western tiger swallowtail.
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
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Desert peach and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.