Cenizo

Leucophyllum frutescens

Family:: Scrophulariaceae
Elevation:: 1,500 ft – 5,000 ft
Bloom:: Jun – Oct
Region:: Southwest

A rounded evergreen shrub with soft silvery-gray foliage that erupts in bell-shaped purple to magenta flowers after summer monsoon rains — earning it the nickname 'barometer bush.' A cornerstone shrub of Southwest xeriscapes.

Care · tuned to the Southwest

Water

Highly drought tolerant once established; needs very little supplemental water. Overwatering and poor drainage are the main killers, causing root rot and thinning. Blooms are triggered by the humidity and moisture of monsoon storms.

Sun & exposure

Full sun and reflected heat are ideal; shade causes legginess and poor bloom.

Soil

Demands sharp drainage; excels in rocky, gravelly, sandy, and highly alkaline or caliche soils. Do not plant in heavy, water-retentive ground.

In the Southwest

Cold hardy to roughly 5-10°F. Looks best with minimal pruning — shear lightly to shape, but avoid hard hedging, which ruins its natural form and reduces flowering. Flowers draw bees and other pollinators.

Common problems & fixes

Cotton (Texas) root rot and root rot from overwatering — its main killer
Fix — Plant in fast-draining alkaline soil and water sparingly.
Looks unnatural and blooms poorly when sheared into balls
Fix — Prune selectively or let it grow naturally, giving it room instead of tight hedging.

Pets & toxicity

Not considered toxic to dogs or cats.

Easy to confuse with

Chihuahuan sage (Leucophyllum laevigatum) — more open and airy with smaller leaves
Woolly butterflybush (Buddleja marrubiifolia) — silver leaves but orange ball-shaped flowers

Sources

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