Eriodictyon trichocalyx

Common Names

Hairy Yerba Santa, Yerba Santa, Shiny-Leaf Yerba Santa

Summary

Hairy Yerba Santa is a native evergreen shrub from southern California to Baja California, reaching up to about 2 m in height with an upright to spreading habit; leaves are lance-shaped to oval, glossy and sticky, with a web-like underside, and the plant bears white to light purple, bell-shaped flowers in spring; foliage is aromatic.

It prefers full sun and well-drained sandy soil, is drought-tolerant with low irrigation once established, and spreads by rhizomes, potentially becoming invasive in garden settings; uses include erosion control and soil stabilization on dry hills and slopes, nectar for butterflies, and traditional medicinal uses such as leaves made into tea for respiratory ailments and poultices for rheumatic joints, with coughs, colds, sore throats, asthma, and tuberculosis among treated conditions.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

6 feet-6 feet 6 inches

Spread

2-6 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 7-10

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun. Tolerates partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained sandy soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained sandy soil

Soil pH

6.0-7.2, Mildly acidic to mildly alkaline soils (neutral to basic)

Bloom Color

White to light purple

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

All four seasons

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts butterflies, Attracts other pollinators (moths)