How much sun does Island manzanita need?

Island manzanita grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Island manzanita bloom?

Island manzanita blooms in December, January, and February.

Where is Island manzanita native?

Island manzanita (Arctostaphylos insularis) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What butterflies or moths does Island manzanita host?

Island manzanita is a larval host plant for brown elfin.

Island manzanita

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Arctostaphylos insularis

Last reviewed: October 2026

Island manzanita (Arctostaphylos insularis) is a perennial shrub native to CA. It blooms in December, January, and February. The flowers draw bees and hummingbirds.

Toxicity unknown

Island manzanita (Arctostaphylos insularis) 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

60"–144" H × 60"–120" W

Bloom

Dec, Jan, Feb

Native to

Pollinators

bees, hummingbirds

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

Find rebates in your area

Picture natives in your own yard

Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Island manzanita.

Try it with your yard

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

A large evergreen shrub with smooth mahogany-red bark and small clusters of white to pale pink urn-shaped flowers in winter. Reddish-brown berries follow and are favored by birds.

Growing Island manzanita

Grow Island manzanita in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 60 to 144 inches tall and spread 60 to 120 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Host plant for brown elfin.

Winter flowers feed bees and hummingbirds when little else blooms, and the foliage hosts brown elfin caterpillars.

Common questions

How much sun does Island manzanita need?: Island manzanita grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Island manzanita bloom?: Island manzanita blooms in December, January, and February.
Where is Island manzanita native?: Island manzanita (Arctostaphylos insularis) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What butterflies or moths does Island manzanita host?: Island manzanita is a larval host plant for brown elfin.

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 Island manzanita? 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