Common manzanita Arctostaphylos manzanita
Common manzanita (Arctostaphylos manzanita) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Ericaceae family, native to Northern California foothills (chaparral). It grows 2–6 m (6.6–20 ft) tall and 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -12 °C (10 °F). Space plants about 3 m (10 ft) apart.
Plan Common manzanita in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Common manzanita at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Ericaceae |
| Mature height | 2–6 m (6.6–20 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 3 m (10 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -12 °C (10 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about January for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: berries (cider) |
| Native to | Northern California foothills (chaparral) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Common manzanita 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 Common manzanita
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Mountain laurel: Mountain laurel and rhododendrons are hosts of Phytophthora ramorum (sudden oak death), which spreads from infected foliage between neighbouring plants. Evidence B
- caution With English lavender: Acid-loving plants need pH 4.5–5.5, lavender prefers neutral to alkaline soil; one bed cannot suit both. Evidence B
See Common manzanita in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (2 plants)
Questions about Common manzanita
- How far apart should I plant Common manzanita?
- About 3 m (10 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft).
- Does Common manzanita need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Common manzanita need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Common manzanita?
- It tolerates about -12 °C (10 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Common manzanita flower?
- From about January for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Common manzanita 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 Common manzanita?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Common manzanita. 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
- Smooth, sculptural mahogany-red bark; winter bells for hummingbirds. Chaparral shrub: no summer water, and fire-prone.
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
- Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- American cranberry Vaccinium macrocarpon
- Lingonberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea
- Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus
- Satsuki azalea Rhododendron indicum
- Japanese andromeda (pieris) Pieris japonica
- Heather (ling) Calluna vulgaris