Hoary-leaf ceanothus
Ceanothus crassifolius
Last reviewed: October 2026
Hoary-leaf ceanothus (Ceanothus crassifolius) is a perennial shrub native to CA. It blooms in February, March, and April. The flowers draw bees and butterflies.
Toxicity unknown
Hoary-leaf ceanothus (Ceanothus crassifolius) 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
48"–120" H × 48"–96" W
Bloom
Feb, Mar, Apr
Native to
CA
Pollinators
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 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
A dense, rounded evergreen shrub with thick, gray-green, wavy-margined leaves and abundant clusters of small white flowers in early spring.
Growing Hoary-leaf ceanothus
Grow Hoary-leaf ceanothus in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 48 to 120 inches tall and spread 48 to 96 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Host plant for ceanothus silk moth.
One of the best regional bee plants, and its foliage is a larval host for the ceanothus silk moth.
Common questions
- How much sun does Hoary-leaf ceanothus need?
- Hoary-leaf ceanothus grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Hoary-leaf ceanothus bloom?
- Hoary-leaf ceanothus blooms in February, March, and April.
- Where is Hoary-leaf ceanothus native?
- Hoary-leaf ceanothus (Ceanothus crassifolius) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What butterflies or moths does Hoary-leaf ceanothus host?
- Hoary-leaf ceanothus is a larval host plant for ceanothus silk moth.
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 Hoary-leaf ceanothus? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.