San Diego sunflower
Bahiopsis laciniata
Last reviewed: October 2026
San Diego sunflower (Bahiopsis laciniata) is a perennial shrub native to CA. It blooms in February, March, April, May, and June. The flowers draw bees and butterflies.
Toxicity unknown
San Diego sunflower (Bahiopsis laciniata) 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.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
24"–48" H × 36"–60" W
Bloom
Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun
Native to
CA
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 460 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
A rangy evergreen subshrub of dry, rocky slopes with deeply cut leaves and cheerful yellow daisy flowers over a long winter-to-summer bloom period. Periodic light pruning keeps it from sprawling.
Growing San Diego sunflower
Grow San Diego sunflower in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 24 to 48 inches tall and spread 36 to 60 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Its extended bloom season provides a reliable early-season nectar source for bees and butterflies when few other plants are flowering.
Common questions
- How much sun does San Diego sunflower need?
- San Diego sunflower grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does San Diego sunflower bloom?
- San Diego sunflower blooms in February, March, April, May, and June.
- Where is San Diego sunflower native?
- San Diego sunflower (Bahiopsis laciniata) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does San Diego sunflower attract?
- San Diego sunflower draws bees and butterflies.
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 San Diego sunflower? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.