Desert Yaupon
Schaefferia cuneifolia
Last reviewed: October 2026
Toxicity unknown
Desert Yaupon (Schaefferia cuneifolia) 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
36"–72" H × 36"–48" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
TX
Pollinators
butterflies, 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
Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Desert Yaupon.
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Desert Yaupon is a compact evergreen shrub that forms a neat, rounded shape with small glossy leaves. It produces tiny flowers from spring through summer and develops small berries that birds enjoy. This drought-tolerant native requires minimal care once established and maintains its attractive appearance year-round.
In an HOA neighborhood
Desert Yaupon takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Height exceeds typical HOA-friendly range
Wildlife value
The long blooming period from March through August provides nectar for butterflies and bees. Birds are attracted to the small berries produced after flowering.
Common questions
- How much sun does Desert Yaupon need?
- Desert Yaupon grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Desert Yaupon bloom?
- Desert Yaupon blooms in March, April, May, June, July, and August.
- Where is Desert Yaupon native?
- Desert Yaupon (Schaefferia cuneifolia) is native to TX, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Desert Yaupon attract?
- Desert Yaupon draws butterflies and bees.
- Is Desert Yaupon HOA-friendly?
- Desert Yaupon takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
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 Desert Yaupon? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.