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Damianita

Chrysactinia mexicana

true

1 gallon

Damianita

In stock

1-2'x1-2'

Sizes:

Damianita – Chrysactinia mexicana
Also known as: Mexican Damiana

Damianita is a highly ornamental small shrub that adds vibrant color to desert landscapes. Growing to just 1–2 feet tall and wide, this low-growing, spreading shrub is perfect for compact spaces. It features dark green, needle-like leaves that are aromatic, providing a striking contrast to its brilliant yellow, daisy-like flowers. These flowers, about half an inch across, bloom profusely from spring through fall, attracting a variety of native bees and butterflies.

One of Damianita’s standout features is its ability to produce a dense blanket of yellow blooms, particularly during the peak seasons of spring and fall. The bright green, finely textured foliage remains lush year-round, releasing a pleasant fragrance when touched, making it a great choice for planting around patios and walkways where people can enjoy its scent.

Damianita is incredibly resilient, thriving in the toughest desert conditions. It is both heat and drought-tolerant, capable of withstanding triple-digit summer temperatures as well as winter lows down to 0°F without damage. Once established, it requires very little water, making it an ideal choice for desert gardens. For best results, plant Damianita in full sun and well-drained soil to maintain its dense, compact form. In shadier conditions, it may become sparse or leggy, but trimming old flower heads and cutting back hard can encourage fuller growth.

This versatile ground cover is perfect for use as a low, flowering border shrub or mass planting for a dramatic effect. It’s especially well-suited to small or narrow planting areas, such as street medians, parking lot islands, courtyards, and entry planters. Its moderate growth rate means it takes two to three seasons to reach its full size, but the reward is a stunning, long-blooming shrub that adds beauty and fragrance to any desert garden. For a dynamic, continuous ground cover, group several Damianita plants together, allowing them to form a bright carpet of golden yellow blooms.

Wildlife Value
Host Plant: —
Nectar Source: Unconfirmed but likely supports generalist native bees and butterflies such as Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) and Checkered White (Pontia protodice) based on pollinator behavior.
Bird Resources: Shelter
Bird Species: Gambel’s Quail (Callipepla gambelii) [cover use]; possible insect-foraging by Verdins (Auriparus flaviceps) and Black-throated Sparrows (Amphispiza bilineata)

Plant Care

Native region:

Sonoran Desert

Water needs:

Low

Exposure:

Full Sun; Filtered Sun

Mature size:

1-2'x1-2'

Growth rate:

Moderate

Flower color:

Yellow

Flower season:

Spring; Fall

Pruning:

Cut back hard if the plant becomes leggy and sparse at the base

Cold Hardiness:

0 Degrees

Nectar-producing:

Yes

Attracts pollinators:

Nighttime pollinators:

Butterflies or Moths:

Yes

Monarchs:

Larval host:

Bees:

Yes

Bats:

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Nest materials:

Rabbit-resistant:

Tortoises:

Yes

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on reliable research, personal experience in my own garden, observations from other gardens I’ve visited, and time spent studying plants in their native habitats. I always welcome your feedback and experiences to help me continue educating others!

Cacti:
In my experience, cacti are much happier in filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Their colors are more vibrant and they tend to bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you look closely at how our native barrel cactus and beavertail prickly pear grow in the wild, you’ll often find them tucked among rocks or beneath the shelter of creosote and other shrubs.

⚠️ A note of caution: Cacti and succulents are often illegally collected from the wild, which not only damages plant populations but also disturbs entire ecosystems. In some cases, wild populations of cacti have even gone extinct because of this practice. When purchasing these plants, always be sure they’ve been legally obtained. Look for nursery-grown stock or plants with a native plant certification, and keep that documentation for your records.

Light Requirements:
In our desert (Sonoran/Colorado), “full sun” doesn’t always mean what you might think. Many so-called full-sun plants benefit from and actually appreciate some late-afternoon filtered light—especially during the intense summer months.