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Texas Torchwood

Amyris texana

Last reviewed: October 2026

Texas Torchwood (Amyris texana)
Photo: (c) Chet Burrier, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Toxicity unknown

Texas Torchwood (Amyris texana) 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

60"–72" H × 36"–48" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov

Native to

TX

Pollinators

butterflies, bees, moths

Before you buy

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Western Gulf Coastal Plain

Texas Torchwood is a compact evergreen shrub native to South Texas with small, glossy green leaves and tiny white flower clusters. It blooms for an exceptionally long season from spring through fall and produces small black berries. This drought-tolerant plant maintains a neat, rounded shape with minimal care.

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In an HOA neighborhood

Texas Torchwood 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

The extended blooming period provides nectar for butterflies, bees, and moths from spring through fall. Birds also feed on the small berries produced after flowering.

Common questions

How much sun does Texas Torchwood need?
Texas Torchwood grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Texas Torchwood bloom?
Texas Torchwood blooms in March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November.
Where is Texas Torchwood native?
Texas Torchwood (Amyris texana) is native to TX, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Texas Torchwood attract?
Texas Torchwood draws butterflies, bees, and moths.
Is Texas Torchwood HOA-friendly?
Texas Torchwood 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.

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