Native plant strategies for a safer, healthier landscape

Fire-resistant plants are less likely to ignite, and if they do, they burn slowly with lower intensity. They share traits such as:

• Moist, supple leaves rather than resinous or oily foliage
• Low buildup of dead material
• High water content
• Low-growing and compact form
• Slow regrowth after pruning, which reduces available fuel
   

These characteristics make them especially effective in Zone 1 (5 to 30 feet) and Zone 2 (30 to 100 feet or more) around a home.

Native plants are adapted to California’s soils, fire cycles, and climate. They:

• Require less irrigation once established
• Withstand dry, windy conditions 
• Support native insects, birds, and pollinators 
• Compete against invasive, fire-prone grasses such as cheatgrass and red brome
   

As Brooks et al. (2004) note in BioScience, “Native plants reduce the risk of invasive fueled fire cycles by preserving soil cover and resisting rapid ignition.”

Grasses (best for Zone 2 and soil stabilization)

• Purple Needlegrass (Stipa pulchra) – Slow burning, deep roots, California state grass
• Deergrass (Muhlenbergia rigens) – Clumping, low flame height, effective in fire breaks
• California Fescue (Festuca californica) – Low-growing, tolerant of shade 
• Junegrass (Koeleria macrantha) – Short bunchgrass with low flame potential
   

Groundcovers (good for Zone 1 and erosion control)

• California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) – Drought-tolerant and pollinator-friendly
• Creeping Sage (Salvia sonomensis) – Spreads low across the ground, aromatic
• Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglasii) – Fragrant, hardy, and fire-resistant
   

Shrubs (use sparingly in Zone 1, with spacing)

• Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) – Supports birds, resilient to fire 
• Lemonade Berry (Rhus integrifolia) – Evergreen with thick leaves 
• Sugar Bush (Rhus ovata) – Low ignition potential, wildlife-friendly
• California Coffeeberry (Frangula californica) – Evergreen, tolerates pruning
• Blue Elderberry (Sambucus nigra ssp. caerulea) – Supports pollinators and birds, drought-tolerant, and offers ecological value with moderate fire resistance when properly maintained
   

Trees (best for Zone 2 with vertical spacing)

• Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) – Keystone native with fire-resistant bark 
• Western Sycamore (Platanus racemosa) – Fast-growing with less flammable foliage
   

Some popular ornamentals significantly increase wildfire risk:

• Eucalyptus – High oil content, extremely flammable
• Italian Cypress – Tall and resinous, creates fire ladders
• Junipers – Contain volatile oils and accumulate dead material
• Pampas Grass and Fountain Grass – Invasive, fast to ignite, often prohibited
   

As Brooks et al. (2004) emphasize, “Flammable exotic species have contributed to California’s feedback loop of recurring, severe wildfires.”

In the future, through the Wildfire Resilient Native Plants Nursery, locally appropriate fire-resistant grasses and plants will be available for purchase. These resources will help residents improve safety while restoring native habitat across Southern California.

Brooks, M. L., et al. (2004). Effects of invasive alien plants on fire regimes. BioScience, 54(7), 677–688.
Quinn, R. D. (1994). Fire ecology of a native California grassland. Journal of Range Management, 47(5), 393–398.
CAL FIRE. (2024). Fire Smart Landscaping.
California Native Plant Society & Calscape.