Native plants offer many benefits. Since they evolved to grow in harsh desert conditions, they usually perform better with less care and are friendlier to wildlife. Plants included here have native ranges within the Southwest desert bioregion which includes the Sonoran, Mojave, and/or Chihuahuan Deserts. (We’ve also included a few hybrids or cultivars of native plants, to give you the most options.)
Desert senna is an excellent wildflower for attracting and supporting bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. It’s carefree and blooms much of the year with virtually no maintenance. Here’s how … Read more
Mexican blue is a magnificent palm tree that easily handles our extreme sun, wind, and temperature swings. It’s one of the few Sonoran Desert native palms, and it also happens … Read more
Mt. Lemmon marigold is a large, airy perennial that has yellow daisy-like flowers and aromatic leaves. It blooms most prolifically in the fall, when many other desert flowers are fading. … Read more
Turpentine bush is a small flowering shrub that’s native to the southwest’s three deserts. If you have an intensely hot, sunny spot where little will grow, turpentine bush may be … Read more
Banana yucca is a succulent that makes a bold accent plant in any garden. When in bloom, it has showy, yet delicately colored flowers. Here’s everything you need to know … Read more
Blue grama is a charming, compact grass with unique seed heads. While it’s usually grown as an ornamental grass, it can also be grown as a low-traffic lawn. Learn more … Read more
If you’re looking for an imposing specimen plant that is too big to be ignored, century plant fits the bill. Century plant is the most popular landscape agave, but it’s … Read more
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance desert vine that stays a manageable size, supports butterflies, and has exotic “other worldly” flowers, look no further than Arizona passionflower. Here’s how to … Read more
If you’d like to grow a flowering shrub that looks like a Texas ranger, but stays a manageable size and flowers more consistently, consider Baja ruellia. Here’s how to plant … Read more
With a name like “bunny ears” and its polka dot appearance, this cactus looks relatively benign, but is deceptively hazardous. Here’s everything you need to know about this native Mexican … Read more
Attractive blue-green rosettes and 5 foot tall flower spikes make Palmer’s penstemon a standout. This perennial has many attributes, but is not commonly grown as a landscape plant. Here’s everything … Read more
Queen Victoria agave is widely considered one of the most attractive agaves — one that’s truly “fit for a queen”. Here’s everything you need to know about planting and taking … Read more