The home of the majestic Grand Canyon, Arizona has a remarkably diverse landscape. While most people initially perceive this southwestern state as dry and hot, locals are likely to attest to a wider range of climatic conditions. In fact, this “desert” state has hardiness zones ranging from 4b to 10b. This means that, though it may experience scorching summers, some of its coldest locations have temperatures that dip to -20˚F (-29˚C).
Elevation significantly influences the climate conditions of Arizona’s ecoregions. This directly plays a role in determining which plants can survive and produce self-sustaining colonies. Some native plants, particularly those which are not equipped with adaptations for droughts, only exist in the state’s wet areas. Many others have developed adaptive strategies that allow them to cope with year-round conditions in desert climates.
Due to the state’s challenging conditions, the best plants to cultivate are those that can store water in their leaves and tolerate dry conditions. If you live in low- to high-altitude desert regions, consider growing native cacti, succulents, evergreen shrubs, and annual wildflowers as fillers. If you live in cooler highland regions, you may have more room to grow a wider variety of plants.
1) Chihuahuan sage (Leucophyllum laevigatum)
The Chihuahuan sage is a fantastic evergreen perennial. Often used as a foundation plant to effectively naturalize dry borders, sidewalks, and garden features, it is a medium-sized shrub with minimal maintenance needs. Given proper conditions for growth, this species should repeatedly bloom throughout the warm season. Its light purple flowers, which occur on young branches, are most abundant in late summer to early fall.
This member of the Scrophulariaceae family of figworts can be grown as a landscape plant in xeriscaped gardens. Once it is well-established, its roots require high drainage rates in porous substrates. Its foliage needs full sun exposure to arise in a compact manner. Drought-tolerant, this plant is ideal for some of the sunniest regions of Arizona.
Native to hilly areas with rocky, limestone-rich soils, the Chihuahuan sage looks best if it is left to grow as a sprawling and highly-textural plant. For a neater appearance, however, its branches may be lightly pruned in spring. Cuttings can be propagated to expand the spread of this plant. A decently sized colony should attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees to the garden.
2) Arizona rosewood (Vauquelinia californica)
A member of the Rosaceae family, the Arizona rosewood can be cultivated as an evergreen shrub or as a small tree. Able to grow up to 15 feet (4.6 meters) tall, this attractive plant thrives best in dry conditions and in areas with naturally rocky and calcareous substrates. In the wild, it is typically found growing alongside oak trees. As it has evolved to survive in desert conditions, it does not require much in terms of water and nutrient availability.
This rosewood is set apart by its multi-trunked and dense appearance, though its shoot may also be manipulated to maintain just a single trunk as it matures. Its light green leaves occur in an alternate arrangement on greyish to reddish stems. They are known for their leathery texture and the subtly serrated appearance of their margins.
Arizona rosewood flowers can appear to pop above the backdrop of darker-toned leaves because of their creamy white petals. These are arranged in dense, flat-topped clusters that begin to appear in early May. Once these are pollinated, they develop into tiny, brown fruits. Do note that it can take some time for this plant to produce fruit as it is notably slow-growing.
3) Little leaf cordia (Cordia parvifolia)
Excellent as a landscape or accent plant, the little leaf cordia is endemic to the plains, bottomlands, slopes, and arroyos of Southern Arizona. Its stands are often utilized as natural screens in slopy areas with arid to semi-arid conditions. Evergreen, it tends to grow as a shrub with a loose and highly textural appearance. Its mounds can also be pruned to appear more well-managed and compact.
As suggested by its common name, the little leaf cordia has small, oval-shaped leaves. These are distinguished by their deep veins, olive-green hue, and serrated margins. Though they are typically present throughout the whole year, they may develop a deciduous nature as the tree matures or whenever ambient conditions are harsh.
The blooms of little leaf cordia measure just slightly more than an inch across. They are quite eye-catching despite their small size and delicate appearance. Bright white, the petals may resemble bits of tissue paper as they flutter in the wind. The snowy white blooms, which look best under full sun, appear during the summer monsoon.
4) Desert prickly pear (Opuntia phaeacantha)
If you’re after a low-maintenance plant that can truly enhance the desert-like appearance of your well-draining garden, try growing cuttings of the desert prickly pear. This densely spiny cactus is known best for its enlarged and flattened pads. Green and undeniably well-protected by brown or yellowish spines, the pads grow in mounds.
Due to its tendency to hybridize with its congeners, the desert prickly pear now comes in several varieties and cultivars. Generally, all of these produce edible fruits with a watermelon-like consistency. In terms of color, flavor, and seed density, the flesh of the fruits is much like that of the dragonfruit (which actually grows from a type of cactus too).
The desert prickly pear is considered a low-maintenance plant because it thrives with little care. The tricky part comes in minimizing its spread and taking extra caution when handling its pads. As the spines of mature plants can easily measure more than 1.2 inches (3 cm) long, you definitely won’t want to handle them with bare hands!
5) Parry’s agave (Agave parryi)
Also known as Parry’s agave or mezcal agave, A. parryi is a recipient of the RHS Award of Garden Merit. This stunning desert plant grows in a compact manner and produces structurally satisfying rosettes. As this species is evergreen, it can provide year-round interest in xeric gardens. When rooted into adequately porous substrates, it can prove to be a remarkably low-maintenance and disease-resistant plant.
Though parry’s agave is slow-growing, it can develop into a massive succulent. Its broad leaves maintain a perfectly geometric arrangement, giving the rosettes a visually balanced look. The individual leaves are quite coarse to the touch, though they may look smooth from a distance. Each of these tapers into a sharp, dark-colored point that contrasts the pale green and ghostly appearance of the leaves.
Mature, well-established rosettes of this species can produce inflorescence stalks that are several times the height of the mother plant. Plants that are more than 10 years old, with leaves measuring 2 – 3 feet (61 – 91 cm) tall, may have floral stalks that are 20 feet (6 meters) tall! Once the bloom period is over, however, the mother plant dies back. Its demise leaves room for its vegetative offshoots to mature into full-sized agaves.
6) Century plant (Agave americana)
Agave americana and its cultivars can grow into undeniably majestic succulents. Also known as the spike aloe, flowering aloe, Mexican soap plant, and century plant, this species is one of the most commonly grown agaves in ornamental desert gardens and landscapes. It doesn’t live for 100 years as its common name might suggest, but it does produce offshoots that increase the spread of its adventitious roots.
The leaves of the type variety of A. americana are typically greyish green and tough. Along their margins are fine pinpricks. Each leaf tapers into a fine and remarkably sharp point – one that may cause injury to potential grazers and unwary pets. Of course, these features effectively protect this species’ colonies in the wild, allowing them to develop into mature, flowering plants.
The floral stalk of the century agave appears just once in and toward the end of its lifetime. It can grow to several times the height of the rosette. Heavy with yellow blooms, the stalk brings this species’ maximum height to an average of about 25 – 30 feet (7.6 – 9.1 meters). The drought-tolerant rosette rarely measures more than 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall in comparison.
7) Sugar bush (Rhus ovata)
The sugar bush is a large, evergreen shrub or small tree with fantastic ornamental features. Able to live for up to a century, it can consistently add texture and color to gardens that may experience occasional droughts. In the wild, this low-maintenance species can be found along rocky slopes, chaparrals, and on the outskirts of arid regions. Its roots thrive in well-draining substrates with a high sedimentary or granitic component.
Indigenous tribes in the sugar bush’s native range once used this plant as a source of food, medicine, and construction materials. This shrub is also important to small mammals and birds, which may feast on its edible fruits and seeds. The eye-catching fruits usually appear and develop in summer, right after the pinkish-white blooms are pollinated by a variety of local bees.
If your semi-arid to arid garden needs a plant that can reduce erosion rates, try growing a few clumps of sugar bush. Once this species is well-established, it demands little in terms of water, nutrients, and pruning. Its leaves, which are lightly folded along their midribs, are most efficient under full sun. These occur alternately along young, reddish branches.
8) Aloe yucca (Yucca aloifolia)
Perfect for dry gardens with predominantly sandy substrates, the aloe yucca is commonly grown as an ornamental succulent. Its sculptural features can add charm, vertical dimension, and natural color to hot landscapes with challenging conditions for plant growth. Known for its erect and top-heavy trunk, this eye-catching plant can measure as much as 20 feet (6 meters) tall.
The leaves of the aloe yucca arise in a tuft-like manner around the growing tips of its shoots. These have a strap-like shape and are oriented in an upward or downward direction depending on their position relative to the shoot. Mature trunks may eventually develop showy floral inflorescences with purple-tinged, white blooms.
The dazzling spray of delicate blooms above the tufts of contrastingly stiff leaves can attract a wealth of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Once the flowers are fertilized, they develop into edible, brown to purple fruits. Valuable to wildlife, the presence of aloe yucca fruits and flowers can help increase the diversity of semi-arid to arid landscapes.
9) Texas lantana (Lantana urticoides)
Though the Texas lantana may sometimes be perceived as a weed, it has the potential to add stunning visual complexity to desert gardens. This low-maintenance perennial is remarkably hardy in the face of dry and unfavorable conditions for plant growth. Seemingly indestructible, it can thrive in substrates with poor nutrient conditions and with minimal irrigation throughout the year.
During its bloom period, a Texas lantana shrub becomes covered in tiny, bouquet-like inflorescences with a gradient of bright hues. Under full sun exposure, the colors of its blooms may seem to intensify into vivid oranges and reds. The inflorescences also tend to be more abundant on plants that are exposed to notably warm temperatures.
When it comes to its need for water, this species can be quite communicative. Generally, its roots require deep moisture just once a week. During prolonged droughts, the leaves may begin to droop and flowering rates may be significantly reduced. A brief rain shower should quickly brighten up the plant and re-invigorate the foliage.
10) Mexican bird of paradise (Erythrostemon mexicanus)
Hardy to USDA zones 10b to 11, the Mexican bird of paradise is suitable for gardens situated in some of the hottest parts of Arizona. This species favors warm temperatures and is generally tolerant of a wide range of soil types and watering regimens. Once it is well-established, its roots can persist through droughts. Due to this species’ hardiness, it is frequently cultivated as a small tree in parking lots, around exposed patios, and in xeriscaped gardens.
The Mexican bird of paradise performs best when it is situated under full to partial sunlight. Its clusters of blooms tend to be more profuse in warm temperatures and areas with frost-free climates. Present through summer and fall, the yellow flowers occur on terminal spikes and are especially attractive to hummingbirds. In contrast, the leaves of this shrub are dark green, fine, and bipinnately compound.
As E. mexicanus can rapidly grow to a full height of about 12 feet (3.7 meters), it is a fine choice for adding vertical dimension and a flamboyant flair to dry borders. Its lush, evergreen leaves can help provide shade to sensitive perennials. They can continue to add an element of spritely charm, even in the absence of bright blooms.
