Ocotillo
Fouquieria splendens
Last reviewed: September 2026
Ocotillo is a spindly desert shrub that produces clusters of tubular orange-red flowers from March through August, thriving in rocky, well-drained soil with very little water.
Toxicity unknown
Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) 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.
The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Ocotillo as toxic to livestock.
Light
part sun
Water
low
Size
72"–240" H × 36"–60" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AZ, CA, NM, NV and 1 more states
Pollinators
bees, hummingbirds, 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.
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Ocotillo is a distinctive desert shrub with tall, thorny canes that reach 6-20 feet high and produce clusters of bright red tubular flowers at their tips. The plant loses its small leaves during dry periods but quickly regains them after rain, creating a unique seasonal appearance. This architectural plant creates a bold focal point in xeriscaped gardens.
Growing Ocotillo
Grow Ocotillo in part sun and low water. Mature plants reach 72 to 240 inches tall and spread 36 to 60 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Ocotillo 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 tubular red flowers are magnets for hummingbirds and provide nectar for bees and other beneficial insects. The extended blooming period from spring through summer offers consistent wildlife support.
Common questions
- When does ocotillo bloom?
- Ocotillo produces its tubular orange-red flowers from March through August, with the heaviest bloom usually following spring rains.
- What pollinates ocotillo flowers?
- Hummingbirds, bees, and other nectar-seeking insects visit the tubular flowers, with hummingbirds being especially important pollinators in the desert Southwest.
- How much water does ocotillo need?
- Ocotillo is adapted to low-water conditions and does best in dry, well-drained soil. It sheds its small leaves during extended dry periods and regrows them quickly after rain.
- What kind of light does ocotillo prefer?
- Ocotillo grows best in full sun to part sun, mimicking the open, exposed rocky slopes and desert flats where it naturally occurs.
- Does ocotillo lose its leaves?
- Yes, ocotillo is drought deciduous. It drops its leaves during dry spells and flushes new leaves along its stems within days after rainfall.
- Is Ocotillo toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Ocotillo as toxic to livestock.
- Is Ocotillo HOA-friendly?
- Ocotillo takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
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 Ocotillo? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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