Sonoran desert-green Plant Care

Sonoran desert-green (Cercidium floridum) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Cercidium genus. Sonoran desert-green is native to the Sonoran Deserts in the Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico. Sonoran desert-green is also known as palo verde, Sonoran palo verde, blue palo verde.

Sonoran desert-green displays a drought-deciduous tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Sonoran desert-green produces bright yellow flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Sonoran desert-green 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.

Sonoran desert-green thrives in full sun.

Cercidium floridum tolerates temperatures of 50–100°F. Sonoran desert-green prefers humidity levels of 10–60%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with gravel and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Sonoran desert-green to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Sonoran desert-green 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 mix with gravel and perlite. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Sonoran desert-green 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.

Sonoran desert-green can spread to about 20 ft (6.1 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 20 ft (6.1 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 Sonoran desert-green 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.

Sonoran desert-green 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.

Sonoran desert-green can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.

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

Sonoran desert-green is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, scale insects. 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.

Sonoran desert-green grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Sonoran desert-green is native to the Sonoran Deserts in the Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico. In cooler regions, grow Sonoran desert-green as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.