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Mexican Bladdersage

Scutellaria mexicana

false

1 gallon

Mexican Bladdersage

Out of stock

3x3

Sizes:

Mexican Bladdersage – Scutellaria mexicana
Also known as: Paperbag Bush, Bladder Sage

Scutellaria mexicana, commonly known as Mexican Bladdersage or Paperbag Bush, is a distinctive shrub in the mint family (Lamiaceae), native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It thrives in a wide range of arid habitats across the Mojave, Sonoran, and Colorado deserts, including creosote-bush scrub, desert foothills, rocky slopes, and sandy washes. It can even extend into the lower margins of pinyon-juniper woodland.

This rounded shrub typically grows 2 to 4 feet tall and wide, with a somewhat open form. From April to June, it produces small but showy purple to bluish flowers that bloom in pairs along the stems. These flowers are followed by the plant’s most recognizable feature: pale, papery, inflated "bladders" that surround the fruit and persist well into winter. These bag-like structures are often mistaken for seed pods but are actually dried flower parts that create a rattling sound in the wind and offer winter interest.

Mexican Bladdersage is extremely drought tolerant and thrives in full sun with excellent drainage. It is well-adapted to harsh desert environments and is highly resistant to browsing by rabbits and deer due to its aromatic foliage. This low-maintenance shrub is ideal for naturalistic desert plantings, wildlife gardens, and xeriscapes.

Wildlife Value
Host Plant: —
Nectar Source: Verified for small native bees and generalist pollinators, including occasional visitation by hairstreak and blue butterflies.
Bird Resources: Shelter and occasional nesting cover within the dense structure of mature plants. Dried seed bladders are not a significant food source but may offer insect foraging sites.
Bird Species: Verdins (Auriparus flaviceps) and other desert-adapted insectivores have been observed foraging around the plant.
Bees: Attracts native bees, including sweat bees (Halictidae) and small carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.)
Other Wildlife: Provides shelter for lizards and other small desert animals, especially when planted in groups.

Plant Care

Native region:

Local Native; Mojave Desert

Water needs:

Low

Exposure:

Full Sun; Filtered Sun

Mature size:

3x3

Growth rate:

Flower color:

white; purple

Flower season:

Spring; Summer

Pruning:

None

Cold Hardiness:

15 Degrees

Nectar-producing:

Yes

Attracts pollinators:

Yes

Nighttime pollinators:

Butterflies or Moths:

Yes

Monarchs:

Larval host:

Bees:

Yes

Bats:

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Nest materials:

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.