Ocotillo Fouquieria splendens
Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) is a deciduous perennial shrub in the Fouquieriaceae family, native to Chihuahuan and Sonoran deserts. It grows 3–6 m (10–20 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 Ocotillo in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Ocotillo at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Fouquieriaceae |
| Mature height | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 3 m (10 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 8 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6.5–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -12 °C (10 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 50 °C (122 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: flowers (tea) |
| Native to | Chihuahuan and Sonoran deserts |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇲🇽 Mexico |
Is Ocotillo toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not toxic; whip-like stems are very thorny.
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 Ocotillo
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Ocotillo in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (4 plants)
- Desert Botanical Garden (12 plants)
Questions about Ocotillo
- How far apart should I plant Ocotillo?
- About 3 m (10 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft).
- Does Ocotillo need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 8 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Ocotillo need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Ocotillo?
- It tolerates about -12 °C (10 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Ocotillo flower?
- From about March for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Ocotillo 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. Not toxic; whip-like stems are very thorny.
- What grows well with Ocotillo?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Ocotillo. 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).
- Desert Botanical Garden plant collections and trails, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
Notes and assumptions
- Desert plant: needs sharp drainage and little summer water once established; rots in wet, heavy soil.
- Tall, unbranched thorny canes that leaf out within days of rain and drop the leaves when dry; scarlet flower spikes at the tips, visited by hummingbirds.
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
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens
- Oleander Nerium oleander
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Camellia Camellia japonica
- Gardenia Gardenia jasminoides
- Common lilac Syringa vulgaris