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Alkalai Goldenbush

Isocoma acradenia

1 Gallon

Alkalai Goldenbush

Out of stock

3x3

Sizes:

Also known as: Northern Goldenbush

Alkali Goldenbush is a tough, evergreen shrub native to the southwestern United States, including California’s Colorado Desert, as well as parts of the Mojave Desert and Great Basin. It is most often found in alkaline or saline soils - along desert washes, dry lakebeds, and other disturbed areas - where few other plants thrive. In the landscape, it typically grows 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, occasionally a bit larger under ideal conditions, forming a rounded, somewhat airy shrub with many upright stems. It generally occurs from near sea level up to around 4,000 feet, making it well suited to both low desert and lower Mojave landscapes.

A member of the daisy family (Asteraceae), the foliage is narrow, sticky, and aromatic, giving the plant a slightly glossy appearance. That resinous coating helps it tolerate intense sun, heat, and dry conditions. In late summer through fall - when many desert plants are finished blooming - Alkali Goldenbush comes into its own, producing clusters of bright yellow, button-like flowers that cover the plant and bring a welcome burst of color to the landscape. This late-season bloom period makes it especially valuable for extending nectar availability when resources are otherwise limited.

Well adapted to harsh conditions, Isocoma acradenia thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, including sandy, rocky, or alkaline sites. It is highly drought tolerant once established, though like most plants in a maintained landscape, occasional supplemental water will improve its appearance and flowering. Its tolerance for poor soils and disturbance also makes it useful for restoration projects and tough garden spots where other plants struggle.

Wildlife Value
Host Plant: —
Nectar Source: Supports a wide range of late-season pollinators including native bees (various families), syrphid flies (Syrphidae), butterflies such as Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), and nocturnal pollinators including moths.
Bird Resources: Seeds; Insects; Shelter
Bird Species: Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria); House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus); White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys)

Plant Care

Native region:

Local Native; Mojave Native

Water needs:

Very Low

Exposure:

Full Sun

Mature size:

3x3

Growth rate:

Fast

Flower color:

Yellow

Flower season:

Summer; Fall

Pruning:

None

Cold Hardiness:

Hardy to approximately 15–20°F once established; tolerates light to moderate frost. May experience tip damage in prolonged freezes.

Nectar-producing:

Yes

Attracts pollinators:

Yes

Nighttime pollinators:

Yes

Butterflies or Moths:

Yes

Monarchs:

Larval host:

Bees:

Yes

Bats:

Yes

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Nest materials:

Yes

Rabbit-resistant:

Yes

Tortoises:

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on reliable research, personal experience in my own garden, observations from other gardens I’ve visited, and time spent studying plants in their native habitats. I always welcome your feedback and experiences to help me continue educating others!

Cacti:
In my experience, cacti are much happier in filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Their colors are more vibrant and they tend to bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you look closely at how our native barrel cactus and beavertail prickly pear grow in the wild, you’ll often find them tucked among rocks or beneath the shelter of creosote and other shrubs.

⚠️ A note of caution: Cacti and succulents are often illegally collected from the wild, which not only damages plant populations but also disturbs entire ecosystems. In some cases, wild populations of cacti have even gone extinct because of this practice. When purchasing these plants, always be sure they’ve been legally obtained. Look for nursery-grown stock or plants with a native plant certification, and keep that documentation for your records.

Light Requirements:
In our desert (Sonoran/Colorado), “full sun” doesn’t always mean what you might think. Many so-called full-sun plants benefit from and actually appreciate some late-afternoon filtered light—especially during the intense summer months.