When does arrow-weed bloom?

Arrow-weed generally flowers from June through September, producing small pink to purplish blooms in dense terminal clusters.

What pollinators are attracted to arrow-weed?

Bees, butterflies, and moths regularly visit arrow-weed flowers for nectar during its summer bloom period.

How much water does arrow-weed need once established?

Arrow-weed tolerates low water and drought once established, growing naturally along dry desert washes, floodplains, and alkaline seeps where water is intermittent.

What sun and soil conditions suit arrow-weed best?

Arrow-weed does best in full sun with sandy, saline, or alkaline soils, the kind of conditions found in desert wash bottoms and disturbed floodplain edges.

Is Arrow-weed HOA-friendly?

Arrow-weed takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Arrow-weed

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Pluchea sericea

Last reviewed: September 2026

Pluchea sericea, or arrow-weed, is a low-water shrub that grows in full sun along desert washes and alkaline flats in the Southwest. It blooms with pink flower clusters from June through September and draws bees, butterflies and moths.

Toxicity unknown

Arrow-weed (Pluchea sericea) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

120"–240" H × 48"–120" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AZ, CA, NM, NV and 2 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, moths

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Mojave Basin and Range North American Deserts Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Chihuahuan Deserts Madrean Archipelago Sonoran Basin and Range Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Arrow-weed is a tall, fast-growing shrub that forms dense colonies along washes and wet areas. This deciduous plant can reach 10-20 feet tall and produces clusters of small pink to purple flowers from summer through fall. It's naturally found in riparian areas and thrives in low water conditions once established.

Growing Arrow-weed

Grow Arrow-weed in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 120 to 240 inches tall and spread 48 to 120 inches wide. Expect high maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Arrow-weed takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Grows extremely large and can overwhelm typical residential spaces
Spreads aggressively through underground runners
Looks bare and scraggly during winter dormancy

Wildlife value

The long blooming period attracts numerous pollinators including native bees, butterflies, and moths from June through September. Birds often use the dense growth for nesting cover and the seeds provide food for wildlife.

Common questions

When does arrow-weed bloom?: Arrow-weed generally flowers from June through September, producing small pink to purplish blooms in dense terminal clusters.
What pollinators are attracted to arrow-weed?: Bees, butterflies, and moths regularly visit arrow-weed flowers for nectar during its summer bloom period.
How much water does arrow-weed need once established?: Arrow-weed tolerates low water and drought once established, growing naturally along dry desert washes, floodplains, and alkaline seeps where water is intermittent.
What sun and soil conditions suit arrow-weed best?: Arrow-weed does best in full sun with sandy, saline, or alkaline soils, the kind of conditions found in desert wash bottoms and disturbed floodplain edges.
Is Arrow-weed HOA-friendly?: Arrow-weed takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

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