Pinus monophylla

Common Names

Pinyon Pine, Single-Leaf Pinyon, Piñon Pine, Piñon

Summary

Singleleaf piñon is an evergreen conifer native to western North America that forms open pinyon–juniper woodlands and is distinguished by a dense, rounded crown and usually a single needle per fascicle. It grows slowly to about 15–30 ft tall and 15–20 ft wide, often multi-stemmed at the base, with bluish-green needles 4–6 cm long that persist for several years; cones are small and seeds are edible pine nuts, with bark that becomes red-brown and fissured with age.

Its cultivation favors full sun and well-drained soils (sandy loam to loam) and it is drought-tolerant with very low irrigation once established. Hardiness generally spans USDA zones 6–8, and the species tolerates alkaline soils; maintenance is minimal. Uses include drought-tolerant ornamentals and native landscapes, and edible nuts provide food for humans and wildlife.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

15-30 ft

Spread

8-20 ft

Hardiness Zones

Zones 6-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun; partial shade for young plants (afternoon shade in summer).

Soil Type

Well-drained sandy or gravelly soils

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

6.0-8.0

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

Does not bloom.

Foliage Color

Green to grayish-green

Fall Foliage Color

No fall color - evergreen (green year-round)

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen needle

Growth Rate

Slow growing

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Propagation Methods

Seed propagation only; no vegetative propagation (no spores, cuttings, division, or layering).

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, butterflies, and birds are attracted.