The Story
Plant Bio
Eysenhardtia texana, commonly known as Texas kidneywood, is a drought-deciduous multi-trunked shrub native to dry limestone hills and caliche slopes of Texas and northeastern Mexico. It features pinnately compound resinous leaves that release a citrusy odor when crushed, and produces terminal spikes of small white flowers intermittently from spring through fall following rain events.
The foliage contains aromatic resin-dotted leaflets that provide larval host fodder for the Dogface butterfly and various hairstreak species. Its nectar-rich terminal flower spikes attract a vast array of native bees, wasps, and hummingbirds throughout the warm growing season.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Shrub
Height
118"
Width
94"
Light
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Zones
8, 9, 10
Water
Low
Humidity
Low
Lifespan
Perennial
Native To
North America
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Bloom period
Spring – Fall
In flower about 9 months of the year
Marketplace
Where to Buy
Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping
Planting
How to Grow
- Select a planting site in full sun with sharp drainage and naturally alkaline, lean soil.
- Dig a hole no deeper than the root ball and twice as wide, backfilling strictly with native unamended soil.
- Water thoroughly upon planting to settle the soil around the roots.
- Allow the root zone to dry out completely between waterings, eliminating supplemental irrigation once established.
Pro Tip
Plant in unimproved, lean, highly alkaline soil with sharp drainage and refrain from summer irrigation; excess water or rich loams cause weak growth and fatal root rot.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Plant in thin, rocky, or alkaline soils with sharp drainage.
- Allow soil to dry thoroughly between soakings.
- Prune lightly in late winter to shape into an airy multi-trunked form.
Don't
- Do not amend planting holes with rich compost or organic matter.
- Do not allow standing water or soggy conditions around the root zone.
- Do not shear heavily into old, leafless wood.
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mulch | ||||||||||||
| Pest Check | ||||||||||||
| Propagate | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Texas Kidneywood questions
What zones can Texas Kidneywood grow in?
Texas Kidneywood is hardy in USDA Zones 8–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Texas Kidneywood deer resistant?
Not reliably. Deer may browse Texas Kidneywood, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.
When does Texas Kidneywood bloom?
Texas Kidneywood typically blooms in spring through fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Texas Kidneywood need full sun?
Texas Kidneywood does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.
Is Texas Kidneywood drought tolerant?
Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Texas Kidneywood handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Hardy in your zone?
Grow Texas Kidneywood with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.