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Gardening in Las Vegas has its challenges.
Being in the middle of the Mojave Desert means anything that grows here must withstand hot, dry summers and cold, dry winters. Plants and flowers that do well are as tough as the environment they’re exposed to. And once you know what those plants are, gardening here gets a whole lot easier.
The list we’ve put together includes Nevada natives, strong succulents, and some non-natives heralding from similar climates. And all of these plants will do well in garden beds, or planters and pots.
Hardy Nevada natives
Show some state spirit by planting these native Nevada shrubs and flowers.
Dorr’s Sage (Salvia dorrii)
Good for butterflies and bees, and a great choice for borders, Dorr’s Sage produces small yet vibrant blue, purple, and pink flowers. Healthy plants will bloom from late spring right through to late summer, so you can expect your blooms to stick around for a while.
Dorr’s Sage (Salvia dorrii)
Care tips: Plant it in dry, sandy ground and in a full sun position. While it is drought-tolerant, it will need watering most days during the hottest summer months. Outside of those times, let the soil dry completely between watering so it doesn’t become waterlogged.
Desert Marigold (Baileya)
Brighten up your garden with the yellow blooms of Desert Marigolds. These should appear from spring through to late fall, with each plant producing 20-50 flowers.
Desert Marigold (Baileya)
Care tips: Baileya plants are biennials. If you plant one from seed, or start with a young plant, it may take a year for it to develop properly. Assuming the plant is healthy, it should start producing flowers in the second year before dying off. Keep your Desert Marigolds happy—and increase the chance of them self-sowing—by planting in full sun in rocky or sandy soil. And keep watering to an absolute minimum (even in the height of summer).
Desert Globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua)
Easily recognized by their rounded, cup-shaped flowers, Globemallows are commonly light orange or dark, fiery red-orange. But they can also produce pink, white and purple blooms. Their peak flowering time is from very early spring all the way through to late fall. They’re a great option if you want flowers (almost) year-round. Their tall stems are covered in fine hairs that give them a fuzzy appearance, and they can grow up to 3 ft tall.
Desert Globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua)
Care tips: These plants look great in rock gardens or set among other low-lying plants. Make sure they’re not in the shade of anything else, as they love full sun. Healthy Globemallows will self-seed, so keep them in check with regular pruning if you decide to use them in borders or containers.
Wild Rhubarb (Arctium Minus)
Thought of as a weed, Wild Rhubarb is actually great for adding height to a garden. Healthy plants can grow to 6 feet tall when in full bloom, delivering a flashy display of broad green leaves, tall red stalks, and towers of white or yellow flowers.
Wild Rhubarb (Arctium Minus)
Care tips: This plant is labeled as a weed because it’s quick growing, can self-seed far and wide, and if left to its own devices will take over any space it’s given. In this sense, it’s really easy to look after. And it looks good in wild gardens. But if you don’t want it to spread everywhere, plant it in a container, or prune it regularly and dig out any roots that are encroaching on other plants.
Mojave Aster (Xylorhiza tortifolia)
Mojave Aster is a member of the sunflower family, so you can expect pretty, showy flowers only on a much smaller scale. Growing up to a foot tall, these perennial shrubs have a short flowering time (March through to June). It’s also a popular choice (and an important source of nectar) for caterpillars that will transform into desert checkerspot butterflies.
Mojave Aster (Xylorhiza tortifolia)
Care tips: Mojave Aster plants can cope with cold temperatures. But if cold weather is forecast it’s best to move them to a warmer spot in your garden, or even inside. And while they are drought tolerant and fans of full sun, Asters need weekly watering during the spring and summer months.
Palmer’s Penstemon (Penstemon Palmeri)
Fabulously flashy, Palmer’s Penstemons will bring a touch of glamor to your garden. Their striking puffy pink or lilac flowers are cup-shaped, with a golden curl sitting pretty on the lip, which makes them irresistible to pollinators. Their appearance, along with their soft, yet sweet fragrance (described as cotton candy by one writer) makes them a beautiful addition to any garden.
Palmer’s Penstemon (Penstemon Palmeri)
Care tips: This plant needs space, as it can grow 4-6 feet tall and, given the room, will self-seed at the end of its flowering season (late spring to early summer). Mature plants rarely need watering, and only occasional watering when first bedding in. Plant in either full sun or part shade.
Creosote Bush (Larra tridentata)
An evergreen, woody shrub that boasts small yellow flowers, the Creosote Bush is good for hedging. But you’ll need to prune and tame it to keep it looking neat. (Fun fact: the Creosote Bush can live for 1,000 years or more. The oldest colony of this bush is in the Mojave Desert, and is nearly 12,000 years old.)
Creosote Bush (Larra tridentata)
Care tips: Plant in sandy, rocky soil. If you want the bush to grow tall, water it regularly. Infrequent watering will cause the bush to grow much slower. Creosote Bushes are also well known for being water hogs, drawing moisture away from anything nearby. So position them away from other plants.
Eye-catching cacti and succulents
Is a desert garden really a desert garden if it doesn’t include a few cacti and succulents? We don’t think so. From the rosettes of aeonuum and echeveria succulents, to the striking stripes of haworthia, creating a stunning container display or rock garden full of cacti and succulents can be quick and easy. And it can open up endless propagation possibilities.
Depending on the space you have available, and the garden style you’re working towards, you may want to include:
- Joshua trees
- Hedgehog cactus
- Banana yucca
- Succulents
- Snake plants.
Cacti and succulents are ideal if you want a low-maintenance garden. If you’re new to working with these types of plants, here’s everything you need to know about caring for succulents.
Tough non-natives that love Vegas
Gardens in Las Vegas aren’t the only ones that have to put up with cold nights and scorching days. Similar climates in Europe and Australasia means plants from further afield can do just as well here.
Fan Flower (Scaevola taccada)
Native to Western Australia, Fan Flowers get their name from their ability to fan out, offering good ground coverage. The delicate daisy-like blue-purple daisy flowers bloom best in spring and summer. And healthy plants can offer a second round of flowering in autumn.
Sage (Salvia)
If you’re planning a cottage garden and want a low-maintenance, aromatic plant, then you’re wise to choose sage. While there are more than 1,000 species, the ones that do well in Las Vega conditions include Woodland Sage, Common Sage, and Mexican Bush Sage.
Blue Star (Amsonia)
Local to Oklahoma and Missouri, as well as the Mediterranean, Blue Star is good for borders, patios, and pots. Blue Star plants grow wide, so give them room to spread and allow them partial shade. Expect a beautiful display of pale blue, star-shaped flowers in spring.
Blue Star (Amsonia)
Juniper (Juniperus)
Juniper is one tough shrub. Coming in many varieties it’s easy to find one that will fit your needs: as ground cover, as a hedge or border, or for privacy. (Some varieties can grow up to 15 feet tall.) Most junipers have thin, needle-like leaves, while others are bushy. Keep your evergreen juniper happy by planting it in full sun.
Elephant Ear (Cladium)
Native to the tropical climates of South America, Elephant Ear likes hot, humid weather. The variegated leaf color, which can be green, white, or red, adds a zing to garden beds or containers. To keep them in the best health (and keep that variegated color) make sure you fertilize and water them regularly.
Elephant Ear (Cladium)
Honeysuckle
Different varieties of honeysuckle can be found around the world. However, most are native to China. Growing in great vines, it’s best to set honeysuckle plants against a fence or trellis so they have space to climb. Their beautiful fragrance means you may want to consider positioning them close to your house or any outdoor seating area so you can enjoy their sweet scent.
Doing it for the wildlife
Many of the plants and flowers here aren’t only great at surviving the Las Vegas temperatures. They’re also excellent at providing for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. As strong advocates for the Gaia theory when it comes to taking care of the planet, by adding any of these plants to your garden you’ll be doing a positive thing for our local pollinators. (And if you want more advice on creating a haven for pollinators, we recommend checking out Vital Bee Buds.)
