Prostrate Ceanothus (Ceanothus prostratus)

Prostrate Ceanothus

Ceanothus prostratus

Low-growing evergreen groundcover, carpets slopes with tiny blue blooms. Drought-tolerant ornamental shrub; common name: squaw carpet.

Full sun
1/week
Beginner
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Plant Needs

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Sunlight Full sun to partial shade; tolerates reflected heat in arid, low-humidity regions
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Watering Drought-tolerant once established; water deeply every 1–2 weeks during extended dry spells
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Temperature Hardy to -15°C; tolerates summer heat up to 35°C; avoid prolonged standing frost
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Characteristics

  • Leaf: Small, leathery dark green oval leaves with serrated margins; aromatic when crushed
  • Flower: Dense, fragrant clusters of tiny pale blue to lavender blossoms
  • Stem: Prostrate woody stems that root at nodes to spread horizontally
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Care Guide

Watering

Water deeply every 10–14 days; allow top 5–7 cm of soil to dry between waterings

Fertilization

Light, balanced slow-release feed once at the start of growing season. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers that can promote excessive foliage growth over flowering

Eggshell powder topdressing:Sprinkle finely crushed, dried eggshells around the base in early spring; avoid direct contact with stems to prevent rot
Pruning
  • Trim back overgrown stems in late spring immediately after flowering to maintain compact shape
  • Remove dead or damaged wood in early spring before new growth emerges
  • Thin dense growth to improve airflow and reduce risk of fungal disease
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Toxicity

Warning: this plant may be toxic.

Pets & Humans

Pets: ASPCA: Non-toxic to cats

Humans: No documented toxicity to humans

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Garden Uses & Culture

Culture: N/A

Usage: Groundcover for slope erosion control; rock garden ornamental; pollinator habitat for native bees