Desert Plants

Mexican Fence Post

Plant in full sun in average soil that is well drained
Height: 5-12 feet; Width: 3 feet

Hardy in USDA zones 9-11:
Zones 2-8: Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; grow as an annual or bring indoors in fall.
Zone 9: Plant in fall or early spring; water during dry spells until established; may be damaged or killed in temperatures below 25.
Zone 10: Plant in fall or early spring; water during dry spells until established.
Zone 11: Plant in fall or early spring; water during dry spells until established.

Rosenka Bougainvillea

Evergreen sprawling shrub with orange brachts/flowers that fade to pink
Plant in full sun in average soil that is well drained
Fertilize regularly with water-based fertilizers
Height: 3-4 feet; Width: 4-6 feet

Hardy in USDA zones 9-11:
Zones 2-8: Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; grow as an annual or bring indoors in fall.
Zone 9: Plant in fall or early spring; water during dry spells until established; may be damaged or killed in temperatures below 25.
Zone 10: Plant in fall or early spring; water during dry spells until established.
Zone 11: Plant in fall or early spring; water during dry spells until established.

Narrow Leaf Variegated Agave

Evergreen succulent with variegated upright "spiky" foliage and green/yellow blooms
Plant in full sun in average soil that is well drained
Height: 3-5 feet; Width: 6-8 feet

Hardy in USDA zones 9-11:
Zones 2-8: Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; grow as an annual or bring indoors in fall.
Zone 9: Plant in fall or early spring; water during dry spells until established; may be damaged or killed in temperatures below 25.
Zone 10: Plant in fall or early spring; water during dry spells until established.
Zone 11: Plant in fall or early spring; water during dry spells until established.

Raspberry Ice Bougainvillea

Evergreen sprawling shrub with variegated foliage and fuchsia brachts/flowers
Plant in full sun in average soil that is well drained
Fertilize regularly with water-based fertilizers
Height: 3-4 feet; Width: 4-6 feet

Hardy in USDA zones 9-11:
Zones 2-8: Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; grow as an annual or bring indoors in fall.
Zone 9: Plant in fall or early spring; water during dry spells until established; may be damaged or killed in temperatures below 25.
Zone 10: Plant in fall or early spring; water during dry spells until established.
Zone 11: Plant in fall or early spring; water during dry spells until established.

Royal Purple Bougainvillea

Evergreen sprawling shrub with deep-green foliage and purple bracht/flowers
Plant in full sun in average soil that is well drained
Fertilize regularly with water-based fertilizers
Height: 2-4 feet; Width: 2-3 feet

Hardy in USDA zones 9-11:
Zones 2-8: Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; grow as an annual or bring indoors in fall.
Zone 9: Plant in fall or early spring; water during dry spells until established; may be damaged or killed in temperatures below 25.
Zone 10: Plant in fall or early spring; water during dry spells until established.
Zone 11: Plant in fall or early spring; water during dry spells until established.

Barbara Karst Bougainvillea

Plant in full sun in average soil that is well drained; heat tolerant
Fertilize regularly with water-based fertilizers
Height: to 20 feet; Width: 4-6 feet

Hardy in USDA zones 9-11:
Zones 2-8: Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; grow as an annual or bring indoors in fall.
Zone 9: Plant in fall or early spring; water during dry spells until established; may be damaged or killed in temperatures below 25.
Zone 10: Plant in fall or early spring; water during dry spells until established.
Zone 11: Plant in fall or early spring; water during dry spells until established.

Torch Glow Bougainvillea

Plant in full sun in average soil that is well drained
Fertilize regularly with water-based fertilizers
Height: 6 feet; Width: 6 feet

Hardy in USDA zones 9-11:
Zones 2-8: Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; grow as an annual or bring indoors in fall.
Zone 9: Plant in fall or early spring; water during dry spells until established; may be damaged or killed in temperatures below 25.
Zone 10: Plant in fall or early spring; water during dry spells until established.
Zone 11: Plant in fall or early spring; water during dry spells until established.

Gopher Spurge

Plant in full sun
Plant in rich but well-drained soil, drought tolerant
All parts of the plant are poisonous and the milky sap can be irritating
Height: 10-12 inches; Width: 18-24 inches

Hardy in USDA zones 9-11:
Zones 2-8: Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; plant in full sun; plant in well-drained soil; mulch in fall; may be killed in temperatures below 20 degrees.
Zone 9: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; plant in well-drained soil; mulch in fall; may be killed in temperatures below 20 degrees.
Zone 10: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; plant in well-drained soil; mulch in fall.
Zone 11: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; plant in well-drained soil; mulch in fall.

Leadwort

Sprawling evergreen shrub with light-green foliage and sky-blue flowers resembling phlox
Plant in full sun for best flowering
Plant in rich but well-drained soil; prune while dormant in winter
Height: 10-12 inches; Width: 18-24 inches

Hardy in USDA zones (8)9-11:
Zones 2-7: Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; plant in full sun; plant in well-drained soil; mulch in fall; will survive light frosts but not a hard freeze.
Zone 8: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; plant in well-drained soil; mulch in fall; will survive light frosts, but not a hard freeze; marginally hardy in this zone.
Zone 9: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; plant in well-drained soil; mulch in fall.
Zone 10: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; plant in well-drained soil; mulch in fall.
Zone 11: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; plant in well-drained soil; mulch in fall.

Mexican Petunia

Upright tender perennial with narrow leaves and light-pink flowers in summer
Plant in full sun to partial shade; invasive weed in warmer climates
Plant in moist well-drained soil
Height: 3-4 feet; Width: 3-4 feet
Grown as an annual in zones 2-7

Hardy in USDA zones 8-11:
Zones 2-7: Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; plant in full sun; remove after first killing frost.
Zone 8: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch to conserve moisture; prune back in late winter; deadhead to prevent seeding.
Zone 9: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch to conserve moisture; prune back in late winter; deadhead to prevent seeding.
Zone 10: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch to conserve moisture; prune back in late winter; deadhead to prevent seeding.
Zone 11: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch to conserve moisture; prune back in late winter; deadhead to prevent seeding.

Purple Trailing Lantana

Low-growing, vining evergreen shrub with purple flowers used as a groundcover
Plant in full sun; tolerates heat and drought
Plant in average to dry, well-drained soil
Height: 6-12 inches; Width: 3-4 feet

Hardy in USDA zones 8b-10:
Zones 2-8a: Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; plant in full sun; plant in well-drained soil; pull up dead plants after first hard frost.
Zone 8b: Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; plant in full sun; plant in well-drained soil; mulch in fall; do not prune back dead stems until early spring.
Zone 9: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; plant in well-drained soil; mulch in fall; prune back dead stems in fall or early spring.
Zone 10: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; plant in well-drained soil; mulch in fall; may continue flower throughout most of year; prune as needed.

Autumn Sage

Plant in full sun; heat tolerant; reseeds in warmer climates
Plant in well-drained soil; drought tolerant; avoid fertilizers
Height: 2-4 feet; Width: 2-4 feet

Grown as an annual in zones 2-6
Hardy in USDA zones 7-10:
Zones 2-6: Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; plant in full sun; remove after first killing frost.
Zone 7: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; prune back hard in late winter; semi-evergreen in this zone.
Zone 8: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch to conserve moisture; prune back hard in late winter; may be semi-evergreen in this zone.
Zone 9: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch to conserve moisture; prune back hard in late winter; evergreen in this zone.
Zone 10: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch to conserve moisture; prune back hard in later winter; evergreen in this zone.

Parry's Penstemon

Plant in full sun to partial shade
Plant in well-drained soil
Height: 2-4 feet; Width: 1-3 feet

Hardy in USDA zones 8-10:
Zone 8: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch to conserve moisture; prune back hard in late winter; may be semi-evergreen in this zone.
Zone 9: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch to conserve moisture; prune back hard in late winter; may be evergreen in this zone.
Zone 10: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch to conserve moisture; prune back hard in later winter; may be evergreen in this zone.

Blackfoot Daisy

Short-lived perennial with white daisylike flowers and yellow centers
Plant in full sun
Plant in rich, well-drained soil; water when dry
Deadhead to prevent excessive seedlings
Height: 12-18 inches; Width: 18-24 inches

Hardy in USDA zones 7-11:
Zone 7: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch to conserve moisture; prune to maintain shape and vigor.
Zone 8: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch to conserve moisture; prune to maintain shape and vigor.
Zone 9: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch to conserve moisture; prune to maintain shape and vigor.
Zone 10: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch to conserve moisture; prune to maintain shape and vigor.
Zone 11: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch to conserve moisture; prune to maintain shape and vigor.

Santa Rita Prickly Pear

Plant in full sun
Plant in well-drained soil
Height: 3-4 feet; Width: 4-6 feet

Hardy in USDA zones 7-11:
Zone 7: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; prune to maintain shape and vigor.
Zone 8: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; prune to maintain shape and vigor.
Zone 9: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; prune to maintain shape and vigor.
Zone 10: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; prune to maintain shape and vigor.
Zone 11: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; prune to maintain shape and vigor.

Crested Apple Cactus

Plant in full sun
Plant in well-drained soil; water when dry; fertilize monthly during growing season
Height: 3-4 feet, but it may vary; Width: 2-4 feet, but it may vary

Hardy in USDA zones 9-11:
Zone 9: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; prune to maintain shape and vigor.
Zone 10: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; prune to maintain shape and vigor.
Zone 11: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; prune to maintain shape and vigor.

Mexican Honeysuckle

Plant in full sun to partial shade
Plant in rich, well-drained soil; water when dry
Height: 3-4 feet; Width: 4-6 feet

Hardy in USDA zones 9-11:
Zone 9: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch to conserve moisture; prune to maintain shape and vigor.
Zone 10: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch to conserve moisture; prune to maintain shape and vigor.
Zone 11: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch to conserve moisture; prune to maintain shape and vigor.