California Desert-sage Plant Care

California Desert-sage (Lepidospartum latisquamum) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Lepidospartum genus. California Desert-sage is native to the southwestern United States from California to Utah. California Desert-sage is also known as Desert Sage, Lepidospartum latisquamum.

California Desert-sage displays a low, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. California Desert-sage produces small yellow composite flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.

Water a young or newly planted California Desert-sage every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

California Desert-sage thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Lepidospartum latisquamum tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. California Desert-sage prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

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

Feed California Desert-sage every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs 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 to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil mix with low fertility. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

California Desert-sage is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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

California Desert-sage can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 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 plant spacing calculator.

Prune California Desert-sage 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 shrub in one year.

California Desert-sage is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

California Desert-sage can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to scale-bracts plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

California Desert-sage is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. 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.

California Desert-sage grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. California Desert-sage is native to the southwestern United States from California to Utah. In cooler regions, grow California Desert-sage as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.