Desert willow

Chilopsis linearis (Cav.) Sweet

Family: Bignoniaceae

Pet & Human Safety

People: Toxic to peoplePets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

n/a

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

NC State's Plant Toolbox has no human-poison record, and no other source states one. This is not proof the plant is safe to eat.

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

None of the four sources states toxicity information. ASPCA has no page for "desert willow" (checked 10/11/26), so there is no ASPCA verdict.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA 7a-11b per NC State Plant Toolbox; USDA 7-10 per Utah State University Extension TreeBrowser (the two differ at the warm end)
Light: Full sun (UC IPM); USU lists shade tolerance as low (shade intolerant).
Water needs: low
Mature size: 15-25 ft tall and 10-15 ft wide per NC State; about 29 ft tall and 20 ft wide in Yavapai County, Arizona (University of Arizona); up to 30 ft tall per UC IPM

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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