20 Desert Plants & Flowers

Anyone who thinks of the desert as a dusty, lifeless no-man’s land hasn’t been to one during a spring bloom. Under the right conditions, the sandy slopes and rocky hills of deserts across the Southwest can explode with colorful wildflowers. We’re talking cacti topped with crimson blooms and scraggly shrubs aflame with yellow flowers.

So next time someone asks you “what plants live in the desert?,” you’ll be primed to answer. But don’t take our word for it! Pack some water, grab some snacks, then head out to the desert for an Insta-worthy visual feast of desert flowers and rugged plants.

Desert Lily (Hesperocallis undulata)

An equally rare and stunning flower, the desert lily will have you rethinking what a “lily” can look like. The plant produces clusters of white, trumpet-shaped flowers that resemble many other types of lilies, but their foliage closely resembles that of an agave plant, which they are closely related to.

Yucca (Yucca spp.)

There are all kinds of yucca species, but they all share a few tell-tale characteristics. Yucca leaves are long and thin with a pointed tip, and they’re arranged in rosette form. When spring arrives, the plants send up a tall flower stalk that’s topped with a chandelier of creamy bell-shaped flowers.

Desert Sunflower (Geraea canescens)

If you’d like to view nature’s version of a sunflower field, keep the desert sunflower in mind. While this yellow-flowered plant often grows as single plants, with a bit of determination and insider-knowledge, you can find clusters of the plants lighting up sandy valleys and hillsides. Look for this desert flower amongst creosote bushes.

Agave (Agave spp.)

Agave are some of the most iconic plants in the desert. You could spend hours gazing at the crown-like rosettes made from leaves of various shapes and colors. Keep an eye on the plants in the summer when they send out tall flower spikes topped with attractive flowers.

Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens)

When you first spot an ocotillo plant, you may wonder if the hot and dry desert has you hallucinating. But rest assured, the plant’s tall, thorny, wild stems are real. Also known as devil’s walking stick or candlewood, this desert plant’s stems become topped with clusters of bright red flowers in the spring or early summer.

Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia spp.)

Although there are a few different species of prickly pear cactus, all of them sport flattened leaves that resemble beavertails. When spring arrives, the cacti produce beautiful pink, purple, or yellow cup-shaped flowers atop their leaves. These leaves eventually turn into soft and sweet red or pink fruits.

Desert Lavender (Condea emoryi)

When you think of lavender, you may envision rugged Mediterranean cliffs or manicured French gardens. But the desert lavender erupts from sandy and gravelly soils in the Southwest. Like most types of lavender, these desert plants produce beautiful purple flowers and an alluring floral fragrance.

Organ Pipe Cactus (Stenocereus thurberi)

If you guessed these cacti’s stems resemble organ pipes, you’re right! The organ pipe cactus makes a statement with clusters of tall stems sprouting up from the same base. During the spring, the plants send out beautiful purple flowers, but since these flowers only bloom at night, you have to grab your flashlight to see them. The flowers give way to a sweet red fruit that’s enjoyed by wildlife and humans.

Creosote Bush (Larrea tridentata)

An important desert plant in much of the Southwest United States, the creosote bush grows as a medium to large shrub covered with small green leaves. When the desert experiences rain, the bushes release an unmistakable earthy smell into the air. That’s why you may hear people say that creosote bushes smell like rain. While the shrubs are beautiful year-round, keep an eye out for their yellow flowers in spring.

Yellow Palo Verde (Parkinsonia microphylla)

Also known as the little leaf palo verde, this small tree thrives in arid areas that cause other trees to perish. From a distance, the trees seem leafless, but once you get closer you’ll notice the plant’s small, round leaves contrasting against the yellow bark. When spring arrives, the tree sends out a beautiful display of small yellow flowers.

Desert Globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua)

No matter where you live, you can find a type of mallow sending out delicate five-petal flowers. But this perennial’s green leaves and orange to pink flowers are stunning against the sepia-toned desert. Unlike many plants in the desert, desert globemallow can flower year-round, as long as there’s enough moisture in the ground.

Southwestern Yellow Columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha)

When you think of desert plants, you probably imagine cacti, succulents, and other drought-tolerant species. But you can’t forget the plants that pop up alongside that trickling desert stream and sought-after oasis. The southwestern yellow columbine seeks out moist desert areas and uses this moisture to help it produce beautiful yellow flowers.

Pringle Manzanita (Arctostaphylos pringlei)

You can find the scrubby manzanitas throughout much of the West Coast, but few species are suited to survive arid desert conditions. The pringle manzanita thrives in these environments where it produces densely packed light green leaves and clusters of tiny bell-shaped flowers. The plants eventually produce tiny red berries that are a favorite snack of birds and small mammals.

Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia)

While the Joshua tree is technically a species of yucca, we think these desert plants deserve special recognition. After all, there’s an entire National Park named after them! If you’ve ever seen the trees in person, you know they seem like they’re from another plant with abnormal thick branches topped with spiky leaves.

Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus spp.)

The hedgehog cacti genus consists of tiny, spiky plants that are just as cute as the spiny critter they’re named after. These cacti remain small, but their short stature doesn’t prevent them from turning heads. Each spring and summer, the tops of the cacti stems become dotted with vibrant cup-shaped flowers ranging in color from red to yellow to pink.

Aloe (Aloe vera)

Equally happy at home in the desert as it is in a dry household, aloe is one of the most popular succulents available. Not only do its fleshy leaves help it survive periods of intense drought, but they can also help soothe burns and make a delicious beverage. If you want to add one of these plants to your home, order succulent delivery for an easy option!

Firewheel (Gaillardia pulchella)

A common flower throughout much of the United States, firewheel brightens up desert landscape with its red and yellow flowers. Also known as blanket flower or Indian blanket, these desert flowers grows best in disturbed areas or poor soils.

Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata)

When you look at the desert marigold’s subdued gray leaves, you might not think much of this plant. But just wait until spring when this short-lived perennial produces bright yellow daisy-like flowers. These flowers often grow in large patches, turning large areas aglow from spring through fall.

Mesquite (Prosopis spp.)

Known for their slender branching form and long root systems, mesquite trees are a desert icon. Their extremely hard wood is valued for building and the large seed pods are an important food source for wildlife.

Saguaro Cactus

Perhaps the most impressive desert cactus, the saguaro cactus can grow up to 50 feet tall! It only grows in a few parts of the Sonoran Desert, but traveling to see this cactus is worth the journey. 

Enjoy Desert Plants

Now that you’re familiar with some of the unique plants desert conditions create, think about what plants you’d like to bring home. While a saguaro cactus isn’t the best choice for a houseplant, aloe and more types of succulents make perfect indoor companions. Just take a minute to learn about succulent plant care then enjoy all the beauty your plant offers.

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