How to Grow Bladderpod Plants

The botanical name of Bladderpod plant is Peritoma arborea and the plant is formerly known as Cleome isomeris and Isomeris arborea. Actually the Bladderpod plant is a California native that holds up very well to drought conditions and the plant produces beautiful yellow flowers that last almost all year long. If you are actually looking for an easy-to-grow plant with low water needs and lots of visual interest, the Bladderpod plant is for you. The Bladderpod plants also have elegant ornamental appeal and it provide wild interest in the landscape. Continue reading to learn how to grow bladderpod plants.

 

Bladderpod Plant Info

The Bladderpod plant which scientific name is Peritoma arborea, formerly Cleome isomeris and Isomeris arborea is a multi-branched shrub with corky bark and smooth twigs. The Bladderpod plant can grow two to seven feet (61 cm. to 2 m.) in height. The Bladderpod plants has several other common names, among them bladderpod spider flower, California cleome, and burro-fat. The plant leaves are compound and divided into 3 leaflets. Most people are saying that bruising the leaves of the plant releases a strong pleasant scent while others call the odor vile. The Bladderpod plants have been lumped into the Cleome family and they have decorative yellow blooms that are similar to cleome plants. The Bladderpod plant flowers are very attractive to pollinators, including native and introduced bees. As the name would indicate, the fruits are inflated balloon-like capsules, each with five to twenty-five pea-like seeds. The bladderpod plant info indicates the plant is related to capers. This is quite evident when you look at the dangling pods. The Bladderpod plant shape and texture are very reminiscent of capers but are not considered edible, although the Bladderpod plant seeds within the pods are edible and can pass in a pinch for capers. While it is the Bladderpod plant seeds that are edible, the flowers were also once used by native dwellers as a meal when cooked for up to 4 hours.

 

Growing Bladderpod Plants

You can choose to grow the Bladderpod plant outdoors in USDA zones eight to eleven. The Bladderpod plant prefers well-draining, sandy soil, and the plant will tolerate high levels of salinity. The Bladderpod plant also performs best in soils with a pH of at least six and is very drought tolerant once established. The Bladderpod plant can tolerate temperatures from 0 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The best method for growing Bladderpod plant flowers is from the seeds. The Bladderpod plant seed easily germinate and, in fact, wild plants self-seed readily. The Bladderpod seeds do not require stratification or striation or any other treatment to encourage germination. Just simply prepare a seedbed that is well draining and of average fertility in full sun. Plant the Bladderpod seeds one inch (2.5 cm.) deep. Alternatively you can plant the seed in late winter in flats indoors and transplant out in spring or fall. The plants should be spaced four to six feet (1-2 m.) apart. While the Bladderpod plants are young, take care to remove nearby weeds to ensure proper growth of the plant.

 

How to Care for Bladderpod Plant

Growing the bladderpod plant flowers is very easy if you are in a warm enough zones. In fact the bladderpod plant info indicates that the plants prefer neglect. Of course, this is only once the plants have been established; actually the plant doesn’t need supplemental fertilizer or much extra water. Spring rains are usually enough to establish the plant seedlings but a small amount of water in the hottest parts of summer will be appreciated. Ensure you keep competitive weeds away from the root zone of the plants. As an addition to the landscape, the bladderpod plants will provide food for many birds, most especially quail. The bladderpod plants are also fire resistant and they have no known disease problems.