Fire Resistant Plant List
Native Fire Fire Resistant Plant Species of San Mateo County
Select from this list of fire resistant plants, or consult a professional for additional species. Plants on this list can be found at most commercial nurseries specializing in native plants. Some plants will do well along the coast, others in the warmer inland areas. A native plant nursery will recommend plants suited to your specific habitat conditions. Remember: even fire resistant plants can be hazardous when not maintained.
Common native and non-native firesafe plant species in San Mateo County, CA.
NATIVE SHRUBS
Coffeeberry (prostrate)Rhamnus californica
Spiny redberry Rhamnus crocea
Calif. lilac (many spp.)Ceanothus spp.
Golden-yarrow Eriophyllum confertiflorum
California rose Rosa californica
Snowberry Symphoricarpos albus
Creeping snowberry Symphoricarpos mollis
Silk tassel bush Garrya elliptica
Toyon Heteromeles arbutifolia
Western redbud Cercis occidentalis
Bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Manzinitas Arctostaphylos spp.
Bush poppy Dendromecon rigida
Coyote brush Baccharis pilularis
Currant (many species) Ribes spp.
Holly-leafed cherry Prunus ilicifolia
Mountain mahogany Cercocarpus betuloides
NATIVE SHRUBS (RIPARIAN OR IRRIGATED AREAS)
Mock orange Philadelphus lewisii
California barberry Berberis pinnata
Blue elderberry Sambucus mexicana
Thimbleberry Rubus parviflorus
Creek dogwood Cornus sericea ssp. occidentalis
Flowering currant Ribes sanguineum var. glutinosum
Bush anemone Carpenteria californica
NATIVE PERENNIALS
Yarrow Achillea millefolium
California poppy Eschscholtzia californica
Chaparral penstemon Penstemon heterophyllus
Firecracker penstemon Penstemon centranthifolius
California buttercup Ranunculus californica
Hummingbird sage Salvia spathacea
Western columbine Aquilegia formosa
Sticky monkeyflower Mimulus aurantiacus
California fuchsia Epilobium canum
California goldenrod Solidago californica
Creeping sage Salvia sonomensis
Coyote mint Monardella villosa
NATIVE FERNS
Western sword fern Polystichum munitum
Giant chain fern Woodwardia fimbriata
Coastal wood fern Dryopteris arguta
Bracken Pteridium aquilinum
NATIVE GROUNDCOVERS, BUNCHGRASSES
Blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium bellum
Douglas’ iris Iris douglasiana
Yerba buena Satureja douglasii
Strawberry Fragaria vesca
Dudleya Dudleya cymosa
Pacific stonecrop Sedum spathulifolium
Spreading rush Juncus patens
Foothill sedge Carex tumulicola
Purple needlegrass Nassella pulchra
Deer grass Muhlenbergia rigens
California fescue Festuca californica
NATIVE TREES
Coast live oak Quercus agrifolia
Black oak Quercus kelloggii
Canyon live oak Quercus chrysolepsis
California buckeye Aesculus californica
Madrone Arbutus menziesii
Catalina ironwood Lyonothamnus floribundus
NATIVE TREES (RIPARIAN OR IRRIGATED AREAS)
Coast redwood Sequoia sempervirens
Western sycamore Platanus racemosa
Valley oak Quercus lobata
Willows Salix spp.
Big-leaf maple Acer macrophyllum
*All plants on this list should be properly irrigated according the individual species' needs, and must be maintained free of dead twigs and leaves in order to remain fire-resistant. Drought stressed plants, or plants with dead twigs and leaves, can burn during a wildfire, regardless of species.