Desert Rosinbush Plant Care

Desert Rosinbush (Adenostoma sparsifolium) belongs to the Rosaceae family within the Adenostoma genus. Desert Rosinbush is native to dry slopes or chaparral of Southern California and northern Baja California. Desert Rosinbush is also known as Redshank.

Desert Rosinbush displays a dense, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Desert Rosinbush produces small white or pink flowers in dense clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 1.5 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Desert Rosinbush every 14–21 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Desert Rosinbush thrives in full sun.

Adenostoma sparsifolium tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Desert Rosinbush prefers humidity levels of 20–60%.

Well-draining sandy soil with low fertility. Good drainage is essential for Desert Rosinbush to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Desert Rosinbush every 8 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining sandy soil with low fertility. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Desert Rosinbush is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Desert Rosinbush can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Desert Rosinbush while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Desert Rosinbush is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Desert Rosinbush can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to chamise plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Desert Rosinbush is susceptible to spider mites, aphids. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Desert Rosinbush grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Desert Rosinbush is native to dry slopes or chaparral of Southern California and northern Baja California. In cooler regions, grow Desert Rosinbush as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.