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Schott Indigo Bush

Psorothamnus schotii

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1 gallon; 5 gallon

Schott Indigo Bush

Out of stock

4-6’x4-6’

Sizes:

Schott Indigo Bush – Psorothamnus schottii

Also known as: —

Schott Indigo Bush is one of the most distinctive and fragrant native shrubs of the Colorado Desert, thriving in sandy desert washes and gravelly soils of the Coachella Valley and beyond. This multi-branched perennial shrub typically grows 4 to 6 feet tall and wide, with spiny, compound leaves of a gray-green to bright green color. Each leaflet is narrow and about an inch long, creating a delicate, airy texture that resembles Smoke Tree from a distance.

In spring, especially after seasonal rains, Psorothamnus schottii bursts into bloom with clusters of richly colored, deep purple pea-shaped flowers held along the ends of the stems. These blooms are highly fragrant, and their scent can travel on the breeze—a trait that surprises many first-time observers. The flowers are followed by small seedpods that are an important resource for wildlife.

Schott Indigo Bush is drought-tolerant, well-suited to poor, sandy, or rocky soils, and thrives in full sun. Once established, it requires little supplemental irrigation and plays multiple roles in a wildlife garden: attracting pollinators with its nectar-rich flowers, providing seeds for birds, and offering essential cover and structure for desert animals. In local gardens, it is even known to attract large reptiles like Chuckwallas, which shelter beneath its branches in spring.

Wildlife Value

Host Plant: Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
Nectar Source: Ceraunus Blue (Hemiargus ceraunus); Monarch (Danaus plexippus); Native Bees
Bird Resources: Seeds; Shelter; Nest
Bird Species: House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus); White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys)
Bees: Native Bees; Bumblebees

Plant Care

Native region:

Local Native

Water needs:

Very Low

Exposure:

Full Sun

Mature size:

4-6’x4-6’

Growth rate:

Fast

Flower color:

Purple

Flower season:

Spring

Pruning:

None required

Cold Hardiness:

14 Degrees

Nectar-producing:

Yes

Attracts pollinators:

Yes

Nighttime pollinators:

Butterflies or Moths:

Yes

Monarchs:

Larval host:

Yes

Bees:

Yes

Bats:

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.