Baccharis

( bak - KAR - iss )

At-A-Glance Information

​Baccharis shrubs are considered tough and are able to grow in harsh conditions, withstanding heat, drought, wind, and poor soil. Most varieties are densely foliaged and are evergreen. Male and female flowers bloom on separate plants, and are relatively inconspicuous. The female plants will produce seed clusters that mimic cotton, and which make a large mess if blown by the wind. If possible, grow a male variety as it will mean less clean up. These plants generally have a mounding habit, and are great additions to natural landscapes. Use these shrubs as background greenery, in mixed beds, as hedges, or in mass plantings on hillsides.

Baccharis Species and Varietals

The genus Baccharis is a member of the Asteraceae family, and are sometimes referred to as 'Brooms' (though they are not true Brooms). The genus is named after Bacchus (Dionysus), the Roman god of wine. There are over 500 distinct species in the genus, making it the largest genus in the Asteraceae family. The ideal growing zones for Baccharis vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Baccharis 'Centennial'
Grows well in zones 7-24 but is best in zones 10-13. Grows to be 3 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide. This species has narrow leaves and seed capsules appear tufted in the springtime. Tolerates desert heat and resists root rot.

​Baccharis pilularis (Dwarf Coyote Brush)
This species grows best in zones 5-11 and 14-24 and is native to the California Coast. Creates a great, dependable groundcover that is bright green in color 8-24 inches high and over 6 feet wide. 'Twin Peaks' has dark green leaves, 'Pidgeon Point' has larger leaves in a light green color and is a fast grower to 2-3 feet tall. Before new growth starts in the spring, it is a good practice to shear this groundcover to encourage new growth. After this cut-back, feed with a nitrogen-heavy fertilizer.

​Baccharis sarothroides (Desert Broom)
Desert Broom grows best in zones 7-24, and is predominately leafless with bright green branches. Grows to five feet tall and wide, and can be clipped down to about 2-3 feet without problems. Drought tolerant and not drainage-sensitive. It is very useful for erosion control and for creating a natural desert landscape.

​Baccharis 'Starn' (Baccharis 'Thompson')
Zones 7-24; has the same size and shape as Baccharis 'Centennial', but is considered to be more useful because it is a male plant (it will not produce messy seed clusters).

caring for and pruning Baccharis shrubs

Baccharis plants can be found in nurseries, though nursery specimens tend to be male plants (as most people do not want to deal with the mess of female plants). Plant your Baccharis in a sunny to partially shaded spot in well-draining soil. The ideal pH level for these plants is between 5.0 - 8.0​. They can tolerate drought conditions well, and at the most need to be watered about once a week during the warmest months of the year. They are considered easy-care plants, and do not need much pruning other than removing dead or damaged branches and a light pruning with garden shears in the springtime. Groundcover varieties can be sheared annually to improve appearance. Baccharis shrubs do not need fertilizing.

Propagation

Baccharis can be propagated in a few ways, most notably by seed and via woody cuttings. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant.

Propagating Baccharis by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining potting soil.
  2. In fall, choose your plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 4-6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip off some of the lower leaves (about halfway up). Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in cool, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots. 
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Baccharis by Seed
  1. Keep in mind that the Baccharis plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant, and that not all Baccharis seeds will germinate. For a female plant to produce viable seeds, there needs to be a male plant nearby. To propagate by seed, you will need a pot or tray filled with well-draining potting soil, a spray bottle and a fork.
  2. Harvest your seeds. When Baccharis flowers are spent and your plant has been pollinated (which can either happen naturally through insect and animal activity, or helped along by a handy-dandy q-tip) you will notice seed pods begin to form. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Harvest as many as you can, and plant all of them in your tray. They will probably not all sow, and the ones that do will be of varying characteristics, especially with hybrid-variety seeds. The more seeds you plant, the more chances you will have to get the resulting plant that you want. The seeds do not need any pre-treatment to ensure germination.
  3. Barely cover the seeds with planting medium (about 3/4 inch down) and keep the soil moist but not wet by spraying it with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 15 to 30 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with potting soil. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
  4. Keep the seedlings' potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home.​
Baccharis seeds, dried and ready for planting.
Baccharis seeds are contained in seed heads that appear feathery.

Problems and pests

​Baccharis shrubs are generally easy to care for and are not bothered by pests or disease, though they can have some issue with the following:
  • Scale
  • Powdery Mildew​
  • Rust
For more information on these pests and diseases, consult the following pages:
​

Gallery

Baccharis 'Centennial' is wonderful along pathways and around the foundations of buildings.
Baccharis is truly at home in California native gardens.
A Baccharis plant I stumbled across while walking a hillside property.
Date: April 16, 2023
Baccharis shrubs, although they do not have showy flowers, are fantastic landscaping plants for local pollinators, like butterflies.
Baccharis seeds produced by female shrubs are feathery, and float through the air away from the parent tree.
Bees are also great pollinators for Baccharis plants.

videos

All about Baccharis pilularis.
Using Coyote Brush in the garden.
A video featuring an older Baccharis specimen.

Resources

Wikipedia: Baccharis
Coyote Brush
Baccharis pilularis
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 182, Baccharis

If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!