How much sun does Pale Desert-thorn need?

Pale Desert-thorn grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Pale Desert-thorn bloom?

Pale Desert-thorn blooms in May, June, and July.

Where is Pale Desert-thorn native?

Pale Desert-thorn (Lycium pallidum) is native to AZ, CA, CO, NM and 4 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

Is Pale Desert-thorn toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Pale Desert-thorn as toxic to livestock.

What pollinators does Pale Desert-thorn attract?

Pale Desert-thorn draws bees and butterflies.

Is Pale Desert-thorn HOA-friendly?

Pale Desert-thorn takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Pale Desert-thorn

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Lycium pallidum

Last reviewed: September 2026

Toxicity unknown

Pale Desert-thorn (Lycium pallidum) 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 Pale Desert-thorn as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

24"–72" H × 24"–60" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, NM and 4 more states

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

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range North American Deserts Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Chihuahuan Deserts Southwestern Tablelands Madrean Archipelago Sonoran Basin and Range

Pale desert-thorn is a medium-sized native shrub that produces small tubular flowers from May through July. This drought-tolerant plant has a somewhat open, irregular growth habit and loses its leaves in winter, revealing thorny branches.

In an HOA neighborhood

Pale Desert-thorn 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.

Thorny branches pose safety concerns
Irregular growth habit looks unmanicured
Appears bare and scraggly when dormant

Wildlife value

The flowers attract bees and butterflies during the long summer blooming period. Birds often nest in the thorny branches and eat the small berries that follow the flowers.

Common questions

How much sun does Pale Desert-thorn need?: Pale Desert-thorn grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Pale Desert-thorn bloom?: Pale Desert-thorn blooms in May, June, and July.
Where is Pale Desert-thorn native?: Pale Desert-thorn (Lycium pallidum) is native to AZ, CA, CO, NM and 4 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Is Pale Desert-thorn toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Pale Desert-thorn as toxic to livestock.
What pollinators does Pale Desert-thorn attract?: Pale Desert-thorn draws bees and butterflies.
Is Pale Desert-thorn HOA-friendly?: Pale Desert-thorn takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

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.

See all plant problem guides

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