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.

Ocotillo

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Fouquieria splendens

Last reviewed: October 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

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Mojave Basin and Range North American Deserts Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Chihuahuan Deserts Madrean Archipelago Sonoran Basin and Range Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

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.

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