Justicia californica
chuparosa
Sonoran and Colorado Desert (southwestern US and northwestern Mexico)
Overview
Justicia californica is a drought-deciduous desert shrub forming a tangled, rounded mound 2-5 ft (0.6-1.5 m) tall and 3-6 ft (0.9-1.8 m) wide, with many slender, gray-green, nearly leafless stems. Small heart-shaped leaves appear after rain and drop during dry spells, leaving the green stems to carry out photosynthesis. Tubular red to orange-red flowers about 1-1.5 in (2.5-4 cm) long appear along the stems, mainly in late winter and spring and again after summer rains. The species is native to the Sonoran and Colorado Desert regions of southeastern California, Arizona, Baja California, and Sonora, growing in washes, canyons, and rocky slopes below about 2,500 ft (760 m). It is hardy in USDA zones 8 to 11 and tolerates intense heat and drought, dropping its leaves to conserve water. It is sensitive to hard frost and rots in wet, poorly drained soils.
Native Range
Justicia californica is native to the Sonoran and Colorado Desert regions of southeastern California, southern Arizona, and northwestern Mexico, including Baja California and Sonora. It grows in desert washes, canyons, and on rocky slopes at low elevations.Suggested Uses
Used in desert, water-wise, and wildlife gardens and on dry slopes, spaced 3-4 ft (0.9-1.2 m) apart. The tubular flowers draw hummingbirds and native bees, and the seeds feed birds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 5'
Width/Spread3' - 6'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Flowering peaks in late winter and spring, roughly February to May, with additional bloom after summer rains in favorable years. The tubular red flowers open over a long period and draw hummingbirds. Plants can carry a few flowers through much of the year in mild sites.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
red to orange-redFoliage Description
gray-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Justicia californica grows in full sun and sharp-draining sandy, gravelly, or rocky soils with pH from 6.5 to 8.0. It is hardy in USDA zones 8 to 11, tolerates extreme heat and drought, and drops its leaves to conserve water in dry spells. Water needs are very low once established, though occasional irrigation extends bloom and leafiness. Hard frost damages the stems, and wet or poorly drained soils cause root rot. It can become open and tangled with age and is renewed by cutting back.Pruning
Cut back by up to one third after the main spring bloom to renew dense growth and limit tangling. Frost-damaged stems can be removed in spring once new growth shows. The shrub resprouts readily from older wood.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons