When does sticky-leaf rabbitbrush bloom?

It typically flowers from July into September, producing clusters of small yellow blooms at the branch tips during the hottest, driest part of the growing season.

What pollinators visit sticky-leaf rabbitbrush?

Bees, butterflies, and beetles commonly visit the flowers, drawn to the late-summer bloom when many other rangeland plants have already finished flowering.

How much water does this shrub need?

It prefers low water once established and tolerates dry, well-drained soils, though it can handle occasional extra moisture without trouble.

How much sun does sticky-leaf rabbitbrush need?

It grows best in full sun and can tolerate some part-sun conditions, but flowering and form are strongest with plenty of direct light.

What does the shrub look like when not in bloom?

Outside of bloom it appears as a rounded, twiggy shrub with narrow, slightly sticky gray-green leaves and pale flexible stems.

Is Sticky-leaf Rabbitbrush toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Sticky-leaf Rabbitbrush as toxic to livestock.

Is Sticky-leaf Rabbitbrush HOA-friendly?

Sticky-leaf Rabbitbrush is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Sticky-leaf Rabbitbrush

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus

Last reviewed: September 2026

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, sticky-leaf rabbitbrush, is a drought tolerant shrub with narrow resinous leaves and clusters of small yellow flowers that open from July through September in dry rangeland and high desert habitats.

Toxicity unknown

Sticky-leaf Rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus) 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 Sticky-leaf Rabbitbrush as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

12"–48" H × 12"–36" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, ID and 9 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles

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

Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Southern California Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Northwestern Great Plains Sonoran Basin and Range

Sticky-leaf rabbitbrush is a compact, drought-tolerant shrub that produces masses of bright yellow flowers in late summer and fall. This low-maintenance native thrives in full sun and poor soils, maintaining its evergreen foliage year-round. The dense clusters of small blooms create an impressive display when many other plants are finishing their season.

Growing Sticky-leaf Rabbitbrush

Grow Sticky-leaf Rabbitbrush in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 48 inches tall and spread 12 to 36 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Sticky-leaf Rabbitbrush is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.

Works well in: mid zone, street edge.

Can appear wild or unstructured to some HOAs
Yellow flowers may clash with formal landscape palettes

Wildlife value

This shrub is a pollinator magnet during late summer blooming, attracting bees, butterflies, and beetles when few other nectar sources are available. The extended bloom period makes it particularly valuable for supporting pollinators preparing for winter.

Common questions

When does sticky-leaf rabbitbrush bloom?: It typically flowers from July into September, producing clusters of small yellow blooms at the branch tips during the hottest, driest part of the growing season.
What pollinators visit sticky-leaf rabbitbrush?: Bees, butterflies, and beetles commonly visit the flowers, drawn to the late-summer bloom when many other rangeland plants have already finished flowering.
How much water does this shrub need?: It prefers low water once established and tolerates dry, well-drained soils, though it can handle occasional extra moisture without trouble.
How much sun does sticky-leaf rabbitbrush need?: It grows best in full sun and can tolerate some part-sun conditions, but flowering and form are strongest with plenty of direct light.
What does the shrub look like when not in bloom?: Outside of bloom it appears as a rounded, twiggy shrub with narrow, slightly sticky gray-green leaves and pale flexible stems.
Is Sticky-leaf Rabbitbrush toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Sticky-leaf Rabbitbrush as toxic to livestock.
Is Sticky-leaf Rabbitbrush HOA-friendly?: Sticky-leaf Rabbitbrush is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

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

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

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