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.)
San Marcos hibiscus is a Sonoran Desert native that makes a great alternative to tropical hibiscus species, which are notoriously challenging to grow in the desert. Here’s everything you need … Read more
Parry’s agave is a beautifully symmetrical agave with silver leaves that make it an eye-catching landscape plant. (But beware of the wicked thorns!) Here’s everything you need to know about … Read more
Blue palo verde is a fast-growing, drought-tolerant tree with green bark. You know that spring has arrived when these trees put on their display of sunny yellow flowers. Here’s everything … Read more
Purple muhly is an ornamental grass related to the more common pink muhly. While not showy, it is lovely in an understated way and deserves a place in desert gardens. … Read more
Firecracker bush is a tropical-looking shrub that provides year-round color — vivid red-orange flowers and leaves that change from bright green to copper in the fall. Here’s how to grow … Read more
Foothills palo verde is the most common tree in the Sonoran Desert, so it certainly will thrive in desert gardens with minimal care, provided you get it off to the … Read more
‘Pink Flamingo‘ muhly is a hybrid of a Texas native that thrives in the Southwest. When in bloom, its plumes are so fluffy they’ve been described as looking like pink … Read more
Guayacan is a shrub that turns heads when in bloom. Its flowers are violet-blue, a color rarely seen in the desert. But one other notable feature of this stunning plant … Read more
Baby sage is a charming evergreen shrub that stays compact. It has red flowers that bloom much of the year and attract wildlife of all kinds. Here’s everything you need … Read more
Wild sunflower is much more than a pretty annual wildflower grown as a desert landscape plant. It’s not an exaggeration to say this useful, adaptable plant has conquered the world. … Read more
Cleveland sage is an evergreen shrub with whorls of purple flowers that pollinators love. As a native to coastal California, it prefers a Mediterranean climate, but it can be grown … Read more
If you want to attract butterflies into your yard, consider growing woolly butterfly bush. Butterflies are wildly attracted to its dainty flowers. Here’s everything you need to know about growing … Read more