How much sun does Dutchman's britches need?

Dutchman's britches grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Dutchman's britches bloom?

Dutchman's britches blooms in March, April, May, June, July, August, September, and October.

Where is Dutchman's britches native?

Dutchman's britches (Thamnosma texana) is native to AZ, NM, TX, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What pollinators does Dutchman's britches attract?

Dutchman's britches draws native bees, flies, and small butterflies.

Is Dutchman's britches HOA-friendly?

Dutchman's britches takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Dutchman's britches

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Thamnosma texana

Last reviewed: September 2026

Toxicity unknown

Dutchman's britches (Thamnosma texana) 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

8"–24" H × 12"–30" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Native to

AZ, NM, TX

Pollinators

native bees, flies, small butterflies

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 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Chihuahuan Deserts High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Central Great Plains Cross Timbers Edwards Plateau Southern Texas Plains Texas Blackland Prairies East Central Texas Plains Western Gulf Coastal Plain Madrean Archipelago Sonoran Basin and Range

A small, aromatic, sparsely leafed subshrub of dry limestone slopes and desert flats. Slender blue-green stems carry small urn-shaped flowers that open yellowish-green and age to purple, followed by flattened, two-lobed seed capsules. Strongly scented when crushed and very drought tolerant once established.

In an HOA neighborhood

Dutchman's britches 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: rock garden, xeric back yard bed.

Airy, sparse habit can read as untended in a formal front yard

Wildlife value

Small flowers offer nectar to native bees and flies over a long season, and the tough stems give low cover in open desert scrub.

Common questions

How much sun does Dutchman's britches need?: Dutchman's britches grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Dutchman's britches bloom?: Dutchman's britches blooms in March, April, May, June, July, August, September, and October.
Where is Dutchman's britches native?: Dutchman's britches (Thamnosma texana) is native to AZ, NM, TX, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Dutchman's britches attract?: Dutchman's britches draws native bees, flies, and small butterflies.
Is Dutchman's britches HOA-friendly?: Dutchman's britches 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 the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Dutchman's britches? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden

iPhone app Android app