Mulefat
Baccharis salicifolia
Last reviewed: August 2026
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
72"–144" H × 72"–120" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct
Native to
AZ, CA, CO, NM and 3 more states
Pollinators
butterflies, bees, flies
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 431 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaMule fat is a fast-growing, willow-leaved shrub with narrow evergreen to semi-evergreen foliage and clusters of small white to cream flower heads. It colonizes streambanks and seasonally wet drainages, often forming loose thickets.
Wildlife value
The flowers are a magnet for a wide range of butterflies, bees, and other pollinating insects, and dense stands provide cover for small birds along waterways.
Common questions
- How much sun does Mulefat need?
- Mulefat grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Mulefat bloom?
- Mulefat blooms in March, April, May, September, and October.
- Where is Mulefat native?
- Mulefat (Baccharis salicifolia) is native to AZ, CA, CO, NM and 3 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Mulefat attract?
- Mulefat draws butterflies, bees, and flies.
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.
Ready to grow Mulefat? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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