Grow creosote bush from seed by hulling the fuzzy fruit, soaking the seed overnight, and sowing it in mix that drains. Do not leave the seed in the hull, and do not keep the mix soggy.
Hull the fuzzy fruit, soak the seed, and sow it in mix that drains
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Seed | Hull the fuzzy white fruit so the seed is bare | Do not sow the fruit whole, which keeps germination low |
| Soak | Soak the hulled seed in water overnight, or up to two days | Do not skip the soak if the seed sits dry in the hull |
| Mix | A warm, well-drained mix — sand, perlite, and a little organic matter | Do not sow into ordinary wet potting soil that stays soggy |
| Light | Cover the seed so it stays dark until it sprouts | Do not leave hulled seed in bright light on a wet surface |
Creosote Bush is raised from seed at home. The fuzzy white fruit holds the seed, and germination stays low until you take that hull off. [1] Soak the hulled seed in water overnight, or for a day or two, so inhibitors leach out and the seed can take up water. A light rub with sandpaper, or a short hot-water dip before the soak, also helps a hard coat. [2] Sow in a warm, well-drained mix. Keep the surface just moist, never soggy. See How to Grow Creosote Bush for the grown shrub. [3]
- Collect ripe fuzzy fruit in late spring through summer, or buy seed. Air-dry it before you store or hull it.
- Rub the hull off so the seed is bare. Optional: nick or sand one side, or dip the seed in hot water, then soak it overnight to two days.
- Sow in a well-drained mix. Cover the seed so it stays dark, and keep the mix warm.
- Keep the surface just moist until seedlings show, then let the mix dry a little between waterings so the roots get air.
How do I sow creosote bush seed?
Hull the fuzzy fruit, soak the seed overnight, and sow it in mix that drains. Cover it so it stays dark until it sprouts.
Move seedlings on while they are young
Seedlings are sensitive to torn roots and to a long life in a pot. Move them on while they are still small, into a deeper container or into the ground, and let the mix dry a little between waterings. [4] A shrub that sits in a nursery pot for months is harder to establish than one planted young. Do not count on a cutting. Stem cuttings of this shrub are difficult to root, so seed is the home method.
- When the seedling has a few true leaves, move it into a deeper pot or into the ground. Disturb the roots as little as you can.
- Use mix that drains. Let the surface dry a little between waterings.
- Grow it in full sun from the start. A dim windowsill makes a weak seedling.
- Set it in the ground as soon as the roots fill the pot. Do not hold it as a houseplant.
Do the seedlings stay in a pot?
Only while they are young. Move them on soon, and plant them in the ground. Creosote bush does poorly if it stays in a pot.
If the seed never comes up, it was probably still in the hull or the mix stayed wet. Next time hull it, soak it overnight, and sow it in mix that drains.
FAQ
Can I collect my own seed?
Yes. Strip the ripe fuzzy fruit in late spring through summer, air-dry it, then hull it before you sow. Store unused seed dry and cool.
Can I grow it from a cutting or a division?
Not as a home method. Stem cuttings are difficult to root. Raise it from seed, or buy a container plant and set it in the ground soon.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center -
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=latr2 - [2] University of Arizona Campus Arboretum -
https://arboretum.arizona.edu/snyder-preserve-larrea-tridentata - [3] Bureau of Land Management, Mojave Desert Native Plant Guide -
https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2025-02/Mojave-Desert-Plant-Guide-Creosote.pdf - [4] Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum -
https://www.desertmuseum.org/visit/sheets/Lartri.pdf
This note is part of Larrea Guides.
More notes on making another plant live in Propagating Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors