Guayacan
Guaiacum angustifolium
Last reviewed: September 2026
Toxicity unknown
Guayacan (Guaiacum angustifolium) 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
96"–120" H × 180"–240" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
TX
Pollinators
butterflies, bees, nectar insects
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
Guayacan is a dense, spreading evergreen shrub that produces masses of bright purple flowers for much of the growing season. This native Texas plant has small, silvery-green leaves and develops into a broad, mounded form that can spread wider than it is tall.
In an HOA neighborhood
Guayacan 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 abundant purple blooms attract butterflies, bees, and other nectar-feeding insects throughout its long flowering period from spring through summer.
Common questions
- How much sun does Guayacan need?
- Guayacan grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Guayacan bloom?
- Guayacan blooms in March, April, May, June, July, and August.
- Where is Guayacan native?
- Guayacan (Guaiacum angustifolium) is native to TX, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Guayacan attract?
- Guayacan draws butterflies, bees, and nectar insects.
- Is Guayacan HOA-friendly?
- Guayacan 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 Guayacan? 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