Whitehead Navarretia
Navarretia leucocephala
Last reviewed: September 2026
Toxicity unknown
Whitehead Navarretia (Navarretia leucocephala) 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
2"–12" H × 2"–8" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul
Native to
CA, ID, MT, NV and 3 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
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 areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Whitehead navarretia is a small annual wildflower that forms low mats of delicate foliage topped with tiny white flower clusters. This diminutive native blooms from May through July and requires minimal water once established. As an annual, it will reseed itself in suitable conditions but may not return reliably every year.
In an HOA neighborhood
Whitehead Navarretia 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.
- Very small size makes it appear weedy in formal landscapes
- Annual nature means unpredictable presence year to year
- May not establish reliably enough for consistent appearance
Wildlife value
The small white flowers attract native bees and butterflies during the late spring and summer blooming period. Its compact size makes it useful for supporting pollinators in small spaces and rock gardens.
Common questions
- How much sun does Whitehead Navarretia need?
- Whitehead Navarretia grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Whitehead Navarretia bloom?
- Whitehead Navarretia blooms in May, June, and July.
- Where is Whitehead Navarretia native?
- Whitehead Navarretia (Navarretia leucocephala) is native to CA, ID, MT, NV and 3 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Whitehead Navarretia attract?
- Whitehead Navarretia draws bees and butterflies.
- Is Whitehead Navarretia HOA-friendly?
- Whitehead Navarretia 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 Whitehead Navarretia? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
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