How much sun does Desert sand verbena need?

Desert sand verbena grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Desert sand verbena bloom?

Desert sand verbena blooms in February, March, April, and May.

Where is Desert sand verbena native?

Desert sand verbena (Abronia villosa) is native to AZ, CA, NV, UT, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does Desert sand verbena attract?

Desert sand verbena draws moths and bees.

Desert sand verbena

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Abronia villosa

Last reviewed: November 2026

Desert sand verbena (Abronia villosa) is a annual forb native to AZ, CA, NV, UT. It blooms in February, March, April, and May. The flowers draw moths and bees.

Watering reminders and freeze alerts for Desert sand verbena, free in the app.

Toxicity unknown

Desert sand verbena (Abronia villosa) 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

4"–10" H × 12"–36" W

Bloom

Feb, Mar, Apr, May

Native to

AZ, CA, NV, UT

Pollinators

moths, bees

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Sierra Nevada Southern California Mountains Mojave Basin and Range North American Deserts Sonoran Basin and Range Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

A low, sprawling annual with sticky, hairy stems and rounded clusters of fragrant pink flowers that carpet desert sand after seasonal rains.

Growing Desert sand verbena

Grow Desert sand verbena in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 4 to 10 inches tall and spread 12 to 36 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Fragrant evening flowers attract hawkmoths and other night-flying pollinators.

Common questions

How much sun does Desert sand verbena need?: Desert sand verbena grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Desert sand verbena bloom?: Desert sand verbena blooms in February, March, April, and May.
Where is Desert sand verbena native?: Desert sand verbena (Abronia villosa) is native to AZ, CA, NV, UT, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Desert sand verbena attract?: Desert sand verbena draws moths and 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.

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