Snake-eyes
Phaulothamnus spinescens
Last reviewed: October 2026
Toxicity unknown
Snake-eyes (Phaulothamnus spinescens) 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
part sun
Water
medium
Size
60"–72" H × 60"–72" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Native to
TX
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 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaPicture natives in your own yard
Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Snake-eyes.
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Snake-eyes is a medium-sized evergreen shrub that forms a rounded, dense shape reaching 5-6 feet tall and wide. It produces small flowers from summer through fall and thrives in partial sun with moderate watering. This native Texas plant maintains its foliage year-round and has a naturally compact growth habit.
In an HOA neighborhood
Snake-eyes 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
While specific pollinator data is limited, the extended bloom period from June through November likely provides nectar for various native insects during the growing season.
Common questions
- How much sun does Snake-eyes need?
- Snake-eyes grows best in part sun conditions.
- When does Snake-eyes bloom?
- Snake-eyes blooms in June, July, August, September, October, and November.
- Where is Snake-eyes native?
- Snake-eyes (Phaulothamnus spinescens) is native to TX, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- Is Snake-eyes HOA-friendly?
- Snake-eyes 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.
- 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 Snake-eyes? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.