Manzanita común
Arctostaphylos manzanita
Arbusto perenne de chaparral californiano famoso por su corteza lisa, sinuosa y de color rojo anaranjado, y sus ramas retorcidas — "manzanita" significa "manzana pequeña" por sus diminutas bayas rojizas. Las hojas verde brillante, ampliamente ovadas, permanecen todo el año sobre los troncos pulidos, y las flores colgantes en forma de urna, de blanco a rosado, se abren de febrero a abril. Nativa de las laderas secas de las Cordilleras Costeras y las estribaciones de la Sierra Nevada, casi no necesita riego en verano una vez establecida.
Native: CA
Climate fit: narrow (31/100)
Structure
Focal point
Light
Full sun / Part shade
Water
Low water
Mature size
78-300" tall · 96" apart
Hardy in zones
8a-10b
cold to mild winters
AHS heat range
6-12
Plant range authored in AHS heat-zone terms.
Native in Illinois
No
El Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center señala que las pequeñas bayas rojizas ("manzanita" significa "manzana pequeña") eran usadas por los pueblos indígenas para preparar una bebida refrescante similar a la sidra; la madera se utiliza hoy en día para piezas decorativas tipo "madera de mar".
Cold hardiness
Future
These values are location-based: this location's current hardiness is the baseline, and the 2050 value is a projected future climate for this same location.
Now
Zone 6b
USDA
Published baseline for this location from 1991-2020.
Source: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 (1991-2020 climatology) via ArcGIS FeatureServer
Won't grow here
2050
Zone 7a
Plotwright
Projected zone for this same location in 2050 (2041-2070) using SSP3-7.0 (regional rivalry).
Won't grow here
In plain terms: This location is in Zone 6b today. Its hardiness profile is cold winters, and coldest nights are typically around -3°F. By 2050, the projected hardiness zone is Zone 7a based on SSP3-7.0 (regional rivalry). That is a +0.5-zone shift from Zone 6b to Zone 7a by 2050.
✕
Out of range today and still out of range in 2050.
Heat tolerance
Future
Heat tolerance values are location-based too: heat days today are observed at this site, and the 2050 value projects this same location under a future climate.
Loading AHS heat-zone data for this location...
Where this plant fits
Suitable across 39 ecoregions — 34 climate-resilient through 2070 · 5 newly possible by 2070. Best matches first.
Appalachian mixed mesophytic forests
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Appalachian-Blue Ridge forests
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Arizona Mountains forests
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Atlantic coastal pine barrens
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California coastal sage and chaparral
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Canadian Aspen forests and parklands
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Central Pacific Northwest coastal forests
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Central-Southern Cascades Forests
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Chihuahuan desert
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Chilean Matorral
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Sources & citations
Cite this page
For lesson plans, articles, or research that uses this page. To cite a single upstream fact instead, use its specific source listed below.
Plotwright. (2026, May 17). Manzanita común (Arctostaphylos manzanita). Retrieved 2026, June 14, from https://plotwright.garden/plants/arctostaphylos-manzanita
Sources for every fact
Every fact on this page traces to a source. 18 fields cited - 18 source-backed.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database
Botanical research database
Backs 17 fields
Identity
Summary
Plant type
Light
Moisture
Hardiness
Heat zone
Size
Spacing
Habit
Design roles
Seasonal interest
Growth stages
Lifecycle
Regional guidance
Success tips
Designer notes