It’s a universal gardening “rule of thumb” that spring and fall are the best times to plant. But things are different in the desert! While spring is the best time for some desert landscape plants, fall is actually the best time for most. So here’s a look at what you should and shouldn’t be planting in the spring.
If you’ve gardened elsewhere, you might be surprised to learn that fall is the preferred time to plant most desert landscape plants. However, most desert plants tolerate spring planting (if you do it right!) while some specifically should be planted in spring or early summer.
Before we take a look at what you can plant throughout the spring, let’s take a look at what makes spring planting so hard on many plants.
The Problem with Planting in Spring
The spring planting season in the desert is short. The generally accepted last frost date in Tucson is March 15. And it’s no longer unusual for the first 100 degree day to occur in April. Alarmingly, in 2026, the temperature hit 100° in March, before the first day of spring.
Spring is hot, dry, and windy. The UV Index soars, while the relative humidity plummets in late spring. And unlike other parts of the country, there are no “April showers.” It’s not unusual to go three months without rain in the spring.
Spring is unforgiving. Forget to water or put up your shade cloth just once, and your new plant could be toast. 😢
So while you can plant almost any plant in spring, it’s not the easiest time for plants to establish.
What Plants Can Be Planted in Spring
Most plants tolerate being planted in spring, while some prefer it.
Let’s take a look at what landscape plants you can plant and what you should plant month-by-month.
What to Plant in February
In much of the country, February is definitely not considered spring! But in the desert, the end of this month is considered “early spring” and a few plants should be planted now.
Bare-root fruit trees and grape vines should be planted in February. Bare-root roses should be planted before the middle of the month.
Learn more about what to do in the garden in February here.
Want to know what veggies to plant in the spring?
Check out Tucson Organic Gardener’s Planting Guide
What to Plant in March (Peak Planting Month!)
If you’re going to plant in the spring, try to do it in March. This gives your plants the most time to acclimate before June, the hottest, driest month of the year.
You can plant nearly all trees, shrubs, perennials, vines, and ornamental grasses. If a plant is cold-sensitive, wait until the danger of frost has passed, typically mid-March.
Spring is the best time of year to plant citrus trees after the last frost date. While they can be planted in the fall, newly planted trees are susceptible to frost damage and will need frost protection in the winter.
Learn more about what to do in the garden in March here.
What to Plant in April
April is a prime time to plant cactus, agaves, and other succulents since the warm soil temperatures encourage their root development. (The exception is aloes, which actively grow in the winter and prefer to be planted in the fall.)
It’s also a good time to plant other heat-loving plants. Bougainvillea, hibiscus, lantana, fig trees, and flowering vines such as crossvine and queen’s wreath fall into this category.
You can continue to plant citrus trees, heat-loving perennials, ornamental grasses, and native or desert-adapted trees and shrubs.
Learn more about what to do in the garden in April here.
What to Plant in May
May is still a good time to plant citrus trees, cactus, agaves, and other succulents.
It’s the perfect time to plant summer annuals such as gaillardia, marigold, pentas, moss roses, sweet potato vine, vinca, and zinnia.
Palm trees are one of the few types of plants that should be planted in May rather than in earlier spring months.
While you can continue to plant native or desert-adapted trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses, and perennials, be aware that planting now is not ideal and will be stressful for most plants. The weather is heating up, so providing adequate water and temporary shade is a must.
Learn more about what to do in the garden in May here.
Want to know what flowers to plant in the spring?
Check out University of Arizona’s Flower Planting Guide
Can You Still Plant in June?
Generally, the answer is “no”, but there is an exception.
June is the hardest month of the year for people and plants. In Tucson, the average high is 101°F, the humidity is 18%, the winds are 15 mph, and it usually hasn’t rained for months.
And even if your plants can take the dry heat, do you really want to be outside planting and pampering new plants in this? I sure don’t! 🥵
Plants that are extremely heat tolerant can be planted now (palms, cactus, and other succulents), but I don’t recommend it. If you must plant them now for some reason, be sure to provide them with shade.
Surprisingly, even cactus and other succulents can get sunburned, so protect them from the sun during their first summer. Better nurseries mark the pot so you can plant them in the same orientation, which helps prevent sunburn.
Sow Summer Wildflower Seeds Now
June is the perfect time to sow seeds for summer wildflowers. While the desert wildflower bloom in spring is the most spectacular, there’s another wave of wildflowers that bloom in the summer.
These summer or “monsoon wildflowers” should be sown shortly before the monsoon rains begin, since their germination depends on them. (The monsoon officially begins June 15.)
Flowers that fall into this category include firewheel (Gaillardia pulchella) and Arizona poppy (Kallstroemia gradiflora). You can find sources for wildflower seeds here.
Learn more about what to do in the garden in June here.
Recommended Reading:
7 Steps for Successful Spring Planting
What to Plant in the Fall (Month by Month)
Recap: Plants That Prefer Spring Planting
There aren’t too many landscape plants that prefer spring planting. Here’s the short list of those that do.
- Bare-root fruit trees, grape vines, roses
- Citrus trees
- Cactus, agaves, other succulents
- Palm trees
- Other heat-loving plants (i.e., those that thrive in the summer but are damaged or die back from winter cold)
- Summer wildflowers (by seed)
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Author Bio
Deane Alban is the creator of Southwest Gardener. She is a science writer with a bachelor’s degree in botany from the University of South Florida. Gardening is her lifelong passion. She’s been gardening in Tucson for over 15 years.
