Smoke tree
Psorothamnus spinosus
Last reviewed: October 2026
Smoke tree (Psorothamnus spinosus) is a perennial tree native to AZ, CA, NV. It blooms in May and June. The flowers draw bees.
Toxicity unknown
Smoke tree (Psorothamnus spinosus) 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
96"–300" H × 96"–240" W
Bloom
May, Jun
Native to
AZ, CA, NV
Pollinators
bees
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 spiny, silvery-blue-gray small tree with sparse thorny branches and short-lived leaves that drop quickly in drought, leaving mostly bare stems most of the year. Produces fragrant violet-purple pea flowers in late spring along desert washes, giving the whole plant a soft smoky color from a distance.
Growing Smoke tree
Grow Smoke tree in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 96 to 300 inches tall and spread 96 to 240 inches wide.
Wildlife value
As a nitrogen-fixing legume it improves poor desert wash soils, and its fragrant flowers are a strong draw for native bees.
Common questions
- How much sun does Smoke tree need?
- Smoke tree grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Smoke tree bloom?
- Smoke tree blooms in May and June.
- Where is Smoke tree native?
- Smoke tree (Psorothamnus spinosus) is native to AZ, CA, NV, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Smoke tree attract?
- Smoke tree draws bees.
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.
- 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 Smoke tree? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.