Alligator juniper

Juniperus deppeana

Family: Cupressaceae

Pet & Human Safety

People: No hazard foundPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

n/a

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

Not stated by our sources (not a clearance). Detail: FEIS has no human-hazard statement

How complete this information is

We have not researched the safety of this plant yet.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

No ASPCA page for this species. FEIS says foliage is relatively unpalatable to livestock; that is a browsing statement, not a toxicity verdict. Do not treat as pet-safe.

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: Not checked yet
Water needs: low low is a plain-language reading of FEIS: it survives short droughts and stops growing when moisture is short, but more than 6 years of drought can kill it; annual precipitation in its pinyon-juniper woodland is 12-22 in (305-559 mm). FEIS is a wild-stand source. Always finger-test two inches down.
Mature size: FEIS: usually 20-40 ft (6-12 m) tall at maturity; can reach 65 ft (20 m) and trunks 7 ft (2.1 m) across; very slow growth (about 0.6 inch of trunk diameter per decade when young)

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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