Neltuma glandulosa

Common Names

Honey Mesquite, Glandular Mesquite, Mesquite, Algarroba, Algaroba

Summary

Honey Mesquite is a desert-native tree in the Fabaceae, native to the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It grows up to about 30 ft tall and 40 ft wide, with deep roots reaching about 150 ft. It features twisted trunks, long thorns, pale yellow spring flowers, tubular seed pods, and rough, scaly reddish-brown bark, offering defensive hedge potential.

It prefers open, full-sun sites with sandy, well-drained soil and is highly drought-tolerant. Limit irrigation to avoid fast growth and weak wood, and avoid nitrogen fertilizer. After establishment, water deeply and every two months during drought; prune two years after planting, in summer, thinning the canopy and removing rubbing or crossing branches. Propagate from scarified seed. Uses include ornamental and xeriscape plantings and edible seedpods, with flowers attracting bees and butterflies, and a thornless cultivar, 'Maverick', available.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

25-30 ft

Spread

10-40 ft

Hardiness Zones

Zones 7-10

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun.

Soil Type

Well-drained, dry soil with low organic content; textures include sandy, sandy loam, medium loam, clay loam, clay; pH 6.6–8.5.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

6.6-8.5

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

Spring to Fall

Foliage Color

Bright green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast to rapid growth

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, other pollinators, birds