California buckwheat Eriogonum fasciculatum
California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Polygonaceae family, native to Coastal sage scrub and deserts of California, Nevada, Arizona. It grows 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) tall and 90 cm–1.8 m (35 in–5.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -10 °C (14 °F). Space plants about 1.2 m (3.9 ft) apart.
Plan California buckwheat in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
California buckwheat at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Polygonaceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 90 cm–1.8 m (35 in–5.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.2 m (3.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -10 °C (14 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 13–21 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Coastal sage scrub and deserts of California, Nevada, Arizona |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States |
Is California buckwheat toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with California buckwheat
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See California buckwheat in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (8 plants)
Questions about California buckwheat
- How far apart should I plant California buckwheat?
- About 1.2 m (3.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 90 cm–1.8 m (35 in–5.9 ft).
- Does California buckwheat need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does California buckwheat need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is California buckwheat?
- It tolerates about -10 °C (14 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does California buckwheat flower?
- From about April for 13–21 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is California buckwheat poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with California buckwheat?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for California buckwheat. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Calscape: California native plants, California Native Plant Society
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
Notes and assumptions
- One of the best native bee plants in California; flower heads age to rust-brown and stay on the plant.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Rhubarb Rheum x hybridum
- Sorrel Rumex acetosa
- Vietnamese coriander Persicaria odorata
- Buckwheat Fagopyrum esculentum
- French sorrel (buckler-leaf sorrel) Rumex scutatus
- Japanese indigo (ai, dyer’s knotweed) Persicaria tinctoria
- Ornamental rhubarb (Chinese rhubarb) Rheum palmatum
- Himalayan fleeceflower (knotweed groundcover) Bistorta affinis