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Arrow Weed

Pluchea sericea

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1 gallon

Arrow Weed

Out of stock

16'

Sizes:

Arrowweed - Pluchea sericea

Violet flowers stand out against gray-green foliage in this rhizomatous evergreen shrub native to moist saline riparian desert areas, floodplains, and sandy washes where water is available from sea level to 3000 feet. Arrowweed forms dense, impenetrable thickets making it an excellent choice for a dense evergreen hedge. It blooms mostly from March through July but can flower year-round. This adaptable plant grows in a variety of soil types, including clay and very salty soils like those near the Salton Sea.

The strong, slender stems of arrowweed were traditionally used by the Cahuilla and other southern California peoples for making arrow shafts and shelter construction, including thatching for house walls. Young plant roots were roasted and eaten, and medicinally, arrowweed was used as a remedy for diarrhea and as an eyewash.

Its brightly colored tubular flowers, seeds, and dense cover attract hummingbirds, butterflies, moths, native bees, small mammals, and seed-eating birds, offering food, nectar, shelter, and protection.

Wildlife Value
Arrowweed supports local desert ecosystems by providing nectar and seeds for a variety of pollinators and birds.

Host Plant: Schinia intrabilis (a moth species)

Nectar Source: Over 10 species including Checkered White (Pontia protodice), Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus), Western Pygmy Blue (Brephidium exilis), Mojave Sootywing (Hesperopsis libya), Monarch (Danaus plexippus)

Bird Resources: Nectar; Seeds; Nesting cover

Bird Species: Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna), Costa’s Hummingbird (Calypte costae)

Plant Care

Native region:

Local Native

Water needs:

Low-Moderate

Exposure:

Full Sun

Mature size:

16'

Growth rate:

Fast

Flower color:

Violet

Flower season:

Spring - Fall

Pruning:

None

Cold Hardiness:

20 Degrees

Nectar-producing:

Yes

Attracts pollinators:

Yes

Nighttime pollinators:

Yes

Butterflies or Moths:

Yes

Monarchs:

Yes

Larval host:

Yes

Bees:

Yes

Bats:

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Yes

Nest materials:

Yes

Rabbit-resistant:

Tortoises:

Yes

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.