Fresno mat
Ceanothus rigidus
Last reviewed: September 2026
Toxicity unknown
Fresno mat (Ceanothus rigidus) 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
24"–72" H × 48"–96" W
Bloom
Feb, Mar, Apr
Native to
CA
Pollinators
native bees, 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 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
A dense, mounding evergreen shrub with small, rigid, dark green leaves and tight clusters of deep blue-purple flowers in late winter and early spring. Holds a compact, rounded form.
Wildlife value
Host plant for California tortoiseshell.
An early and abundant nectar source for native bees and butterflies, and its foliage is a larval host plant for the California tortoiseshell butterfly.
Common questions
- How much sun does Fresno mat need?
- Fresno mat grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Fresno mat bloom?
- Fresno mat blooms in February, March, and April.
- Where is Fresno mat native?
- Fresno mat (Ceanothus rigidus) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What butterflies or moths does Fresno mat host?
- Fresno mat is a larval host plant for California tortoiseshell.
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.
- 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 Fresno mat? 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
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz