Fire-Wise Gardening with California Natives
The Best of Both Worlds
If you're trying to create a garden that's both water-wise and fire-wise, California native plants deserve a close look. Many of our local natives evolved with fire as part of their ecosystem. They're adapted to our dry summers, need little to no irrigation once established, and when chosen and maintained correctly, can be part of a beautiful, fire-resistant landscape.
This isn't to say all natives are fire-safe. Some are highly flammable. But the right natives, in the right places, with proper maintenance, offer a sustainable approach to defensible space that also supports local wildlife and reduces your water bill.
Why Natives Work for Fire-Wise Landscaping
California native plants have several characteristics that make many of them good choices for fire-wise gardens:
Adapted to dry conditions: Natives don't need summer water once established, which means less irrigation infrastructure and lower water use. Many store moisture in their leaves, making them slower to ignite.
Open growth habits: Many native shrubs and groundcovers have an open, airy structure rather than the dense, compact form of ornamental varieties. This means less accumulated dead material and better airflow.
Natural fire cycles: Some natives evolved to resprout after fire or even depend on fire for seed germination. While this doesn't make them fireproof, it means they're adapted to our fire-prone environment.
Low maintenance: Because they're adapted to local conditions, natives generally need less pruning, fertilizing, and fussing. This makes it easier to keep them in fire-safe condition.
Remember that all plants can burn, and spacing and maintenance are essential regardless of species choice.
Fire-Resistant California Natives for Santa Cruz
These natives combine fire resistance with beauty and low water needs. Regional fire-resistant plant lists highlight these species for their high moisture content, open growth habits, and low litter production.
Groundcovers and Low Plants
Creeping Sage (Salvia sonomensis) This low, mat-forming subshrub spreads to form a dense carpet of fragrant gray-green foliage. It stays under 2 feet tall and produces purple flower spikes in spring. Listed as a fire-resistant groundcover-type plant for cool coastal areas. Excellent for Zone 2 or the edges of Zone 1.
California Fuchsia (Epilobium canum) Brilliant orange-red tubular flowers bloom in late summer when little else is flowering. Hummingbirds love it. It dies back in winter, leaving minimal fuel.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) Our native yarrow has feathery foliage and flat-topped white flower clusters. It stays relatively moist and spreads to form a low groundcover. Appears on multiple regional fire-resistant plant lists. Works in Zone 1 and Zone 2.
Beach Strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis) A native groundcover with glossy leaves and small white flowers. It produces edible (if small) berries and spreads by runners. High moisture content and low growth make it fire-resistant. Some jurisdictions approve beach strawberry for planting even close to structures.
Douglas Iris (Iris douglasiana) Sword-like leaves and beautiful purple, blue, or white flowers in spring. Forms clumps rather than spreading, so plant in groups. Low fuel load when not in bloom.
Shrubs
Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) Also called California holly, toyon is one of our best fire-resistant natives. Its leathery leaves retain moisture, and the bright red winter berries are stunning. Can be grown as a large shrub or small tree.
Coffeeberry (Frangula californica) A versatile shrub with glossy green leaves that stays lush-looking even in dry conditions. Berries turn from red to black and attract birds. Good structure for Zone 2.
Coyote Brush (Baccharis pilularis) One of the most fire-resistant shrubs available when properly maintained. Dwarf forms like 'Pigeon Point' make excellent groundcovers and are better choices than tall varieties. Avoid tall, old, unmanaged coyote brush near structures. Thin or replace before plants get woody and accumulate dead material.
Island Alum Root (Heuchera maxima) Large, rounded leaves form attractive mounds. Tall spikes of small white flowers bloom in spring. High moisture content and low growth habit make it fire-resistant.
Western Redbud (Cercis occidentalis) A deciduous large shrub or small tree with magenta flowers that bloom on bare branches in early spring. Open structure and seasonal leaf drop make it lower risk.
Trees
Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) Our iconic oak is naturally fire-resistant thanks to thick bark and high-moisture leaves. It often survives fires that kill other trees. Proper maintenance is key: prune lower branches up 6 to 10 feet and keep the area beneath clear of leaf litter.
California Bay Laurel (Umbellularia californica) High moisture content makes bay laurel fairly fire-resistant, though it can resprout vigorously after fire. Bay laurel has relatively moist foliage but should be well-spaced and thinned so it does not form dense, continuous crowns around the home.
Western Sycamore (Platanus racemosa) A large deciduous tree with beautiful mottled bark. High moisture content and open branching when mature. Best in Zone 2 or beyond where there's space.
Natives to Avoid or Use Carefully
Not all California natives are fire-resistant. Some are quite flammable. Even though some of these appear on "fire-resistant" lists, agencies still recommend keeping them well away from structures because of resinous foliage and dead wood buildup.
Use with caution:
Manzanita (Arctostaphylos species) Manzanita is a highly flammable chaparral shrub with resinous leaves and fine dead branches that carry fire. It's beautiful and drought-tolerant, but older plants accumulate dead material and can burn intensely. If you use manzanita, keep it in Zone 2 or beyond, prune regularly, and remove all dead branches. Consider alternatives like toyon or coffeeberry instead.
Ceanothus (California Lilac) Similar to manzanita, ceanothus can accumulate dead wood and dense growth. Its relatively short lifespan (10-15 years) means plants can die off and create heavy dead fuel in the understory. Some varieties are more open than others. Plant in Zone 2, choose open varieties, and maintain regularly. Plan for replacement as plants age.
Chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum) Highly flammable. Common in wild areas but not recommended for landscaping near homes.
Sage species (some) While creeping sage is fire-resistant, some upright sages like white sage (Salvia apiana) and black sage (Salvia mellifera) can accumulate dead material and become fire risks if not maintained. Keep them in Zone 2 and prune regularly.
| Plant | Type | Fire-wise notes | Typical zone* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beach strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis) | Groundcover | Low, spreading growth with high leaf moisture; commonly listed as a fire-resistant native groundcover | Zone 1 |
| Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) | Perennial | Herbaceous; responds well to irrigation and deadheading; used as a fire-resistant accent or groundcover | Zone 1–2 |
| Creeping sage (Salvia sonomensis) | Groundcover | Low mat-forming habit with minimal woody buildup when maintained; frequently listed among fire-resistant landscape plants | Edge of Zone 1 or Zone 2 |
| California fuchsia (Epilobium canum) | Perennial | Dies back seasonally; appears on several fire-resistant native plant lists | Zone 1–2 |
| Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) | Shrub / small tree | Leathery leaves with good moisture retention; repeatedly cited as a fire-resistant native shrub | Zone 2 |
| Coffeeberry (Frangula californica) | Shrub | Evergreen with relatively high-moisture foliage; appears on many fire-resistant native plant lists | Zone 2 |
| Coyote brush (Baccharis pilularis) | Shrub | Young plants can be moderately fire-resistant; older plants accumulate dead, woody fuel if not maintained | Zone 2 with strict maintenance or avoided near homes |
| Coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) | Tree | Thick bark and moist leaves; widely cited as one of the most fire-resistant native trees when properly maintained | Zone 2+ (with limbing and clean understory) |
| Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.) | Shrub | Resinous foliage and tendency to accumulate dead wood; often listed as high-hazard near structures | Zone 2+ only, or avoided in high-risk sites |
| Ceanothus (California lilac) | Shrub | Appears on some fire-resistant lists but can build dense, woody growth and dead material without careful pruning | Zone 2 with thinning |
Designing with Fire-Wise Natives
Using natives in your defensible space requires thoughtful placement:
Zone 0 (0 to 5 feet from the house): Current guidance favors no combustible vegetation within the first 5 feet. If you include any natives here, keep them minimal, very low (like beach strawberry or yarrow), and on irrigated soil within hardscape. Better yet, use hardscape and save the natives for Zone 1.
Zone 1 (5 to 30 feet from the house): This is where fire-wise natives shine. Use them in clusters with adequate spacing between groups. Combine groundcovers, shrubs, and small trees with hardscape breaks.
Zone 2 (30 to 100 feet from the house): Larger natives like oaks, toyons, and coffeeberry work well here. Focus on removing ladder fuels and maintaining spacing between canopies.
Create islands: Rather than continuous plantings, group natives in "islands" separated by gravel paths, rock gardens, or low groundcovers. This prevents fire from spreading continuously through your landscape.
Vary heights: Combine low groundcovers with medium shrubs and occasional trees, but ensure there's no continuous fuel ladder from ground to canopy.
Maintaining Fire-Wise Natives
Even fire-resistant natives need maintenance to stay safe:
Remove dead material: The biggest risk with any plant is accumulated dead wood, leaves, and debris. Prune out dead branches annually, and rake fallen leaves from under shrubs.
Prune for openness: Native shrubs can get dense over time. Thin them periodically to maintain an open structure with good airflow.
Keep trees limbed up: Remove lower branches from trees to prevent ground fires from climbing into the canopy.
Water deeply during establishment: Natives need regular water for the first one to two years while their root systems develop. After that, most need little to no irrigation, but occasional deep watering during extreme heat keeps moisture content high.
Avoid fertilizing: Most natives don't need fertilizer, and excess nitrogen can promote rapid, weak growth that's more flammable.
Local Resources for Native Plants
Native Plant Nurseries
Sierra Azul Nursery (2660 E. Lake Avenue, Watsonville) specializes in California natives and drought-tolerant plants. Staff can help you choose fire-wise species appropriate for your specific conditions.
Dig Gardens (420 Water Street, Santa Cruz and 7765 Soquel Drive, Aptos) carries a selection of natives alongside other plants.
California Native Plant Society, Santa Cruz Chapter holds seasonal plant sales at Cabrillo College Horticulture Center with locally appropriate natives grown from local seed sources.
UCSC Arboretum & Botanic Garden (1156 High Street, Santa Cruz) hosts plant sales featuring California natives and Mediterranean climate plants suited to our conditions.
Fire Safety Resources
Santa Cruz County Fire Safe Council provides guidance on defensible space and fire-wise landscaping specific to our county.
CAL FIRE Ready for Wildfire offers comprehensive information on defensible space requirements and fire-resistant plant selection.
Plant Information
Calscape (run by the California Native Plant Society) is the definitive database for California natives. Search by your location to find species native to Santa Cruz County.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fire-Wise Natives
Are California native plants fire-resistant?
Some are, some aren't. Natives like toyon, coyote brush (dwarf varieties), and coast live oak have high moisture content and open growth habits that make them more fire-resistant. Others like manzanita and chamise are highly flammable. You can't assume a plant is fire-safe just because it's native. Choose species carefully and maintain them properly.
Can I plant manzanita if I love how it looks?
Yes, but only in Zone 2 (30 to 100 feet from structures) and with commitment to regular maintenance. Remove all dead branches, thin for openness, and keep leaf litter cleared from beneath. Manzanita has resinous leaves and fine dead branches that carry fire readily. If you're in a high fire risk area, consider alternatives like toyon or coffeeberry instead.
What's the best fire-resistant native groundcover?
Beach strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis) and yarrow (Achillea millefolium) are excellent choices. Both stay low, have high moisture content, and spread to cover ground. Creeping sage (Salvia sonomensis) is another good option with the bonus of fragrant foliage and spring flowers. All three work in Zone 1.
Do fire-wise natives still need irrigation?
During establishment (first one to two years), yes. Water regularly while root systems develop. After that, most natives need little to no supplemental irrigation. However, occasional deep watering during extreme heat or drought keeps moisture content high, making plants less flammable. Natives in Zone 1 (near the house) benefit from some summer water even when established.
Can I have a native garden in Zone 0?
Zone 0 (0 to 5 feet from structures) should have minimal or no plants. Current guidance favors no combustible vegetation in this zone. If you include natives, choose only low-growing, high-moisture species like beach strawberry or yarrow, and keep them well-watered on hardscape. Save your native garden showcase for Zone 1 and Zone 2.
How do I maintain native plants for fire safety?
Remove dead material annually (especially before fire season). Prune shrubs for openness and good airflow. Limb up trees to at least 6 feet to prevent ground fires from climbing. Rake fallen leaves from under plants. Don't fertilize, which promotes fast, weak growth. Water occasionally during extreme heat to keep moisture content high.
Which native trees are fire-resistant?
Coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) is our best fire-resistant native tree. Its thick bark and high-moisture leaves make it slow to ignite, and it often survives fires that kill other trees. California bay laurel and western sycamore are also good choices when properly spaced and maintained. Keep all trees limbed up, clear debris beneath, and ensure canopies don't touch neighboring trees.
Where can I buy natives grown from local seed?
The California Native Plant Society Santa Cruz Chapter holds plant sales at Cabrillo College Horticulture Center with natives grown from locally collected seed. Sierra Azul Nursery in Watsonville also carries many locally appropriate species. Plants grown from local genetic stock are best adapted to Santa Cruz County's specific conditions.
Free Gardening Resources
Fire-Wise Gardening Guide — Comprehensive guide to defensible space zones, fire-resistant plants, and maintenance schedules.
Water-Wise Gardening Guide — Strategies for reducing water use that complement fire-wise landscaping.
Know Your Microclimate Worksheet — Identify your specific growing conditions to choose appropriate native species.
Seasonal Tasks Checklist — Stay on top of fire-wise maintenance tasks throughout the year.
Additional Resources
Gardening That Makes Sense for Where We Live
Fire-wise landscaping doesn't mean eliminating plants from your garden. It means choosing wisely, placing thoughtfully, and maintaining regularly. California natives offer a path to a landscape that conserves water, supports wildlife, reflects our local environment, and helps protect your home.
The right natives in the right places create gardens that are beautiful, sustainable, and safe. That's the kind of gardening that makes sense for Santa Cruz County.
