Texas Snakeweed
Gutierrezia sarothrae
Last reviewed: September 2026
Texas snakeweed is a low, resinous shrub common on dry rangelands, plains, and rocky slopes, producing clusters of small yellow flowers from spring through fall.
Toxicity unknown
Texas Snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae) 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.
Texas Snakeweed is listed as toxic to grazing livestock (cattle, sheep, and goats) at a slight level by the USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab). This is a livestock indicator and is separate from pet toxicity.
Light
part sun
Water
medium
Size
12"–36" H × 12"–36" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Native to
AZ, CA, CO, ID and 14 more states
Pollinators
butterflies, bees, nectar insects
Before you buy
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Texas Snakeweed is a compact native shrub that produces masses of small yellow flowers from spring through fall. This drought-tolerant plant maintains a bushy form and provides nearly year-round color in challenging growing conditions.
Growing Texas Snakeweed
Grow Texas Snakeweed in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 12 to 36 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Texas Snakeweed is an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 2 out of 5.
Works well in: foundation, mid zone.
- Requires annual shaping to stay compact
Wildlife value
The extended bloom period makes this an exceptional pollinator plant, supporting butterflies, bees, and other nectar-seeking insects for most of the growing season.
Common questions
- How much water does Texas snakeweed need?
- It does well with low to medium water and is suited to dry, rocky, or sandy soils typical of high plains and desert grasslands.
- What light conditions does Texas snakeweed prefer?
- It grows best in full sun to part sun, the conditions found on open rangeland and dry, exposed hillsides.
- When does Texas snakeweed bloom?
- It flowers over a long season, from spring into late fall, with small yellow blooms clustered at the branch tips.
- What pollinators visit Texas snakeweed?
- Bees, butterflies, and other nectar-seeking insects visit the flowers for nectar and pollen.
- Is Texas Snakeweed toxic to livestock?
- Texas Snakeweed is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats (slight severity) by the USDA PLANTS Database. This is separate from pet (dog and cat) toxicity.
- Is Texas Snakeweed HOA-friendly?
- Texas Snakeweed is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate 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.
- 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 Texas Snakeweed? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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