Naked Buckwheat

Planting

Plant your Naked Buckwheat in full sun in a location with fast or medium drainage - it's extremely adaptable to different soil types, so focus on drainage over soil quality. Space plants to account for their mature height of up to six feet, and consider planting in groups for a striking massed effect. Plant in fall or early spring, and pair it with other drought-tolerant natives like California Buckwheat, White Sage, or Black Sage for a cohesive, pollinator-friendly garden.

After Planting

Water weekly during your first summer to establish the plant, then taper to once monthly or less once established - this is a very low water plant once it takes hold. Your biggest challenge in year one is weed control, so stay on top of weeds while the buckwheat is getting established. The plant is deciduous and cold-hardy to -10 to -15°F, so expect it to look dormant in winter; minimal pruning is needed. Avoid overwatering, which is the #1 way to kill this drought-adapted native.

Insects

criBernardino dotted-blue butterfly

Larval Host · Year-Round

Larvae feed on inflorescences; key host plant for population persistence

criDotted blue butterfly

Larval Host · Year-Round

Multiple generations utilize plant as primary larval host plant April-September

criMojave Blue butterfly

Larval Host · Year-Round

Primary larval host plant; critical for arid population survival

higAcmon blue butterfly

Larval Host · Year-Round

Multiple broods use plant; important secondary host in California foothills

higCalifornia hairstreak butterfly

Larval Host · Summer

Single brood uses developing seeds as food source June-August

higCressonii mining bee

Pollen · Spring

Spring ephemeral specialist; critical early pollen source

higDryad Copper

Larval Host · Year-Round

Eggs laid on flower buds; single generation May-July

modCalifornia ringlet butterfly

Larval Host · Summer

Larvae feed on developing inflorescences; June-August broods

+3 more species