Fremont Pincushion
Chaenactis fremontii
Last reviewed: September 2026
Toxicity unknown
Fremont Pincushion (Chaenactis fremontii) 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"–16" H × 4"–12" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun
Native to
AZ, CA, NV, UT
Pollinators
bees, beetles
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 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Fremont pincushion is a charming annual wildflower that produces clusters of cream-colored, cushion-like blooms from April through June. This compact desert native grows 4-16 inches tall and thrives in full sun with minimal water. As an annual, it completes its life cycle in one growing season and may self-seed under favorable conditions.
In an HOA neighborhood
Fremont Pincushion takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Annual nature means inconsistent presence year to year
- Can appear weedy or unkempt between blooming periods
- May not germinate reliably creating patchy appearance
Wildlife value
The pincushion-shaped flowers attract native bees and beetles during the spring blooming period. This plant provides important early-season nectar when few other flowers are available.
Common questions
- How much sun does Fremont Pincushion need?
- Fremont Pincushion grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Fremont Pincushion bloom?
- Fremont Pincushion blooms in April, May, and June.
- Where is Fremont Pincushion native?
- Fremont Pincushion (Chaenactis fremontii) is native to AZ, CA, NV, UT, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Fremont Pincushion attract?
- Fremont Pincushion draws bees and beetles.
- Is Fremont Pincushion HOA-friendly?
- Fremont Pincushion 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 Fremont Pincushion? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
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