Article and photo by Laurie Meyerpeter, UC Master Gardener of Placer County

Can California native plants be successfully grown in containers? The answer is a resounding YES! One area of the UC Master Gardeners of Placer County Demonstration Garden has different California native plants growing in containers. Our newest addition showcases different manzanitas in ceramic pots.

Manzanitas (Arctostaphylos spp.) are among California’s most iconic native plants, valued for their sculptural branching, smooth bark, and resilience in dry landscapes. With forms ranging from ground-hugging to tree-like, they can fill nearly any role in our Placer and Nevada County gardens and landscapes. All three selections below can adapt well to container growing with the right care. Proper drainage and a gritty soil mix are key to success for these and other manzanita species in containers.

For a low-growing groundcover, Arctostaphylos ‘Emerald Carpet’ is a standout plant that softens the container edges and cascades beautifully over the sides of pots or raised planters. 

A dependable, medium-sized shrub is Arctostaphylos ‘Howard McMinn.’ This variety will reach 5-7 feet tall in its natural environment but will remain somewhat smaller and more compact in a container. 

Arctostaphylos ‘St. Helena’ brings an upright, almost tree-like presence, often reaching 10–12 feet in its native habitat. However, growth is restrained when planted in a container which allows this variety to function as a striking focal point on patios. 

Over 95 manzanita species are found in California and many of them can thrive in pots, bringing evergreen beauty and native character to even small spaces. Manzanita—“Little Apple” | Garden Notes  provides a more in-depth look into popular Arctostaphylos species. Explore specific how-to’s for growing native plants in containers.

References:

Calscape. Emerald Carpet Manzanita. calscape.org.
https://calscape.org/Arctostaphylos-'Emerald-Carpet'-(Emerald-Carpet-Manzanita)

Calscape. Howard McMinn Manzanita. calscape.org.
https://calscape.org/Arctostaphylos-densiflora-'Howard-McMinn'-(Howard-McMinn-Manzanita)

Calscape. St. Helena Manzanita. calscape.org.
https://calscape.org/Arctostaphylos-manzanita-'St.-Helena'-(St.-Helena-Manzanita)

Sousa, Marceline D. Manzanita “Little Apple.” October 8, 2025. ucanr.edu. 
https://ucanr.edu/blog/garden-notes/article/manzanita-little-apple

UC ANR. Native Plant Tips: Growing in Containers. April 14, 2026. ucanr.edu. 
https://ucanr.edu/sites/default/files/2025-06/Native%20Plants%20Tips-single.pdf