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Honey Mesquite

Prosopsis glandulosa var. torreyana

true

1 gallon; 5 gallon; 15 gallon

Honey Mesquite

In stock

20-30'x20-30'

Sizes:

Honey Mesquite - Neltuma odorata
Synonym - Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana, Neltuma glandulosa

Also known as: Western Honey Mesquite, Torrey Mesquite, Texas Mesquite (other varieties)

Honey Mesquite in our region is represented by the Torrey Mesquite variety, which is native to the Colorado Desert and parts of the Sonoran Desert. Locally, it occurs along washes, desert floodplains, and riparian corridors where underground water is more accessible. While it shares many traits with other Honey Mesquite varieties, Torrey Mesquite tends to form dense, multi-trunked thickets rather than the single-stemmed tree forms seen elsewhere.

A hardy and ecologically important tree, Honey Mesquite grows 20–30 feet tall, with rare specimens approaching 50 feet under favorable conditions. Its spreading, rounded crown and drooping, crooked branches provide filtered shade, while paired straight spines on young twigs help protect it from browsing animals. Its taproot can extend more than 100 feet deep, allowing it to thrive in arid environments.

Creamy yellow flower spikes bloom from late spring into summer, drawing in a wealth of native pollinators. By midsummer, long, slender seed pods ripen, providing a high-protein food source for numerous animals. Indigenous peoples, including the Cahuilla, traditionally harvested these pods, grinding them into flour for food. In our region, dense mesquite thickets provide important shelter and nesting habitat for Gambel’s Quail and many other species. Monarch butterflies have also been observed using Honey Mesquite as a winter roosting tree in the low desert, taking advantage of its broad canopy for protection.

Wildlife Value

Host Plant: Marine Blue (Leptotes marina); Leda Ministreak (Ministrymon leda); Reakirt’s Blue (Echinargus isola); Palmer’s Metalmark (Apodemia palmeri); Ceraunus Blue (Hemiargus ceraunus)
Nectar Source: Generalist butterflies and native bees, including the species listed above.
Bird Resources: Seeds; Nest Sites; Insects on foliage and flowers.
Bird Species: Gambel’s Quail (Callipepla gambelii); Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps); Abert’s Towhee (Pipilo aberti); House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus); Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus).
Other Wildlife: Jackrabbits; Kangaroo Rats; Ground Squirrels; Pocket Mice; Antelope Squirrels, Desert Tortoises - all use mesquite for food, shelter, and nesting materials.

Plant Care

Native region:

Local Native; Mojave Desert

Water needs:

Low

Exposure:

Full Sun

Mature size:

20-30'x20-30'

Growth rate:

Fast

Flower color:

Yellow

Flower season:

Spring; Summer

Pruning:

Prune in fall for desired shape

Cold Hardiness:

10 Degrees

Nectar-producing:

Yes

Attracts pollinators:

Yes

Nighttime pollinators:

Yes

Butterflies or Moths:

Yes

Monarchs:

Yes

Larval host:

Yes

Bees:

Yes

Bats:

Yes

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Yes

Nest materials:

Rabbit-resistant:

Yes

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.