Rubber Rabbitbrush

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Ericameria nauseosa

Last reviewed: August 2026

Ericameria nauseosa is a drought tolerant shrub that produces clusters of bright yellow flowers from July through September. It thrives in full sun on dry rangelands, high desert flats, and rocky slopes with low water needs.

Toxicity unknown

Rubber Rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa) 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 Rubber Rabbitbrush as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

24"–60" H × 24"–48" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, ID and 14 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, moths

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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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Chihuahuan Deserts High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains Madrean Archipelago Sonoran Basin and Range Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Rabbitbrush is a drought-tolerant native shrub with silvery-green foliage and masses of bright yellow flowers in late summer and fall. This hardy plant thrives in poor soils and requires minimal water once established. Its evergreen leaves provide year-round structure in the landscape.

Growing Rubber Rabbitbrush

Grow Rubber Rabbitbrush in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 24 to 60 inches tall and spread 24 to 48 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Rubber Rabbitbrush 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.

Can appear weedy or unkempt to traditional landscaping preferences
May be perceived as too wild or unmanicured for formal front yards
Flowers fade to brown seed heads that some find unsightly

Wildlife value

The abundant yellow flowers are a crucial late-season nectar source for bees, butterflies, and moths when few other plants are blooming. This plant is especially valuable for supporting pollinators during fall migration periods.

Common questions

When does Rubber Rabbitbrush bloom?: Rubber Rabbitbrush typically flowers from July through September, producing dense clusters of small yellow blooms late in the growing season when many other shrubs have finished flowering.
How much water does Rubber Rabbitbrush need?: This shrub is adapted to low water conditions and handles extended dry periods well. It can tolerate occasional extra moisture but does not do well in consistently wet or poorly drained soil.
What kind of light does Rubber Rabbitbrush need?: It grows best in full sun and performs poorly in shaded conditions. Locations with open exposure and reflected heat, such as dry slopes and disturbed sites, tend to suit it well.
What pollinators visit Rubber Rabbitbrush?: Its late summer and fall blooms attract bees, butterflies, and moths, making it a valuable nectar source at a time when fewer other plants are flowering.
Is Rubber Rabbitbrush toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Rubber Rabbitbrush as toxic to livestock.
Is Rubber Rabbitbrush HOA-friendly?: Rubber Rabbitbrush 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.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Rubber Rabbitbrush? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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In an HOA neighborhood

Rubber Rabbitbrush 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.

Can appear weedy or unkempt to traditional landscaping preferences

May be perceived as too wild or unmanicured for formal front yards

Flowers fade to brown seed heads that some find unsightly

Common questions

When does Rubber Rabbitbrush bloom?

Rubber Rabbitbrush typically flowers from July through September, producing dense clusters of small yellow blooms late in the growing season when many other shrubs have finished flowering.

How much water does Rubber Rabbitbrush need?

This shrub is adapted to low water conditions and handles extended dry periods well. It can tolerate occasional extra moisture but does not do well in consistently wet or poorly drained soil.

What kind of light does Rubber Rabbitbrush need?

It grows best in full sun and performs poorly in shaded conditions. Locations with open exposure and reflected heat, such as dry slopes and disturbed sites, tend to suit it well.

What pollinators visit Rubber Rabbitbrush?

Its late summer and fall blooms attract bees, butterflies, and moths, making it a valuable nectar source at a time when fewer other plants are flowering.

Is Rubber Rabbitbrush toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Rubber Rabbitbrush as toxic to livestock.

Is Rubber Rabbitbrush HOA-friendly?

Rubber Rabbitbrush 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.

Common plant problems, and what to check first

See all plant problem guides