Plant Encyclopedia

Everything about care, pruning, watering and winter hardiness of thousands of plants

Want to see this in your garden?

1 minute, no credit card

Start free design

18 plants

Abronia bigelovii displaying white-green flower clusters in sandy desert terrainNyctaginaceae

Abronia bigelovii: the extremely rare Galisteo sand verbena

Abronia bigelovii

Discover Abronia bigelovii, the critically rare Galisteo sand verbena endemic to New Mexico. Detailed habitat info, growing tips and conservation status.

5 min
Desert agave (Agave deserti) foliageAsparagaceae

Desert agave: complete guide

Agave deserti

Discover the Desert agave (Agave deserti), an architectural succulent from California with blue-green foliage and extreme drought tolerance. Ideal for water-wise gardens.

12 min
Argemone corymbosa displaying distinctive spiny leaves and striking white flowersPapaveraceae

Argemone corymbosa: complete guide

Argemone corymbosa

Discover Argemone corymbosa, Mojave pricklypoppy. Learn about this drought-tolerant desert annual with striking white flowers and distinctive spiny leaves ideal for xeriscape gardens.

12 min
Citrullus colocynthis with yellow flowersCucurbitaceae

Citrullus colocynthis: complete guide

Citrullus colocynthis

Discover the Bitter apple: Citrullus colocynthis. A desert vine with yellow flowers and small round fruits, exotic and highly drought tolerant.

12 min
Utah juniper displaying characteristic gray-green needle foliage and brown barkCupressaceae

Utah juniper: complete guide

Juniperus osteosperma

The Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) is an extremely drought-tolerant, compact conifera with gray-green foliage from the American Southwest. Perfect for xeriscape and low-maintenance dryland gardens.

12 min
Lupinus neomexicanus (New Mexico lupine) displaying characteristic blue flower spikesFabaceae

Lupinus neomexicanus: complete guide

Lupinus neomexicanus

New Mexico lupine (Lupinus neomexicanus) is a Southwestern native wildflower. Growing guide for desert and xeric gardens.

12 min
Desert gooseberry (Ribes velutinum) in dry mountain landscape with mineral soilGrossulariaceae

Ribes velutinum: complete guide

Ribes velutinum

Desert gooseberry is an ultra-hardy American shrub from mountain deserts. Learn cultivation in extreme drought and mineral soils.

12 min
Purple sage blooming in arid habitatLamiaceae

Purple sage: complete guide

Salvia dorrii

Salvia dorrii is a drought-tolerant groundcover from western North America. Learn planting methods, maintenance, and design tips for this hardy desert shrub.

12 min
Sisymbrium altissimum with yellow flowers and characteristic thin seed podsBrassicaceae

Tumble mustard: complete guide

Sisymbrium altissimum

Learn everything about Tumble mustard (Sisymbrium altissimum): cultivation, identification and ecological role. A guide for this adaptive plant.

12 min
Stenocereus thurberi organ-pipe cactusCactaceae

Stenocereus thurberi: complete guide

Stenocereus thurberi

Discover the organ-pipe cactus, a unique columnar cactus from Arizona and Mexico. Grows to 7 meters with tubular flowers and edible fruits.

12 min
California fan palm with characteristic fan-shaped green fronds in sunlightArecaceae

California fan palm: complete guide

Washingtonia filifera

The majestic California fan palm (Washingtonia filifera) is an impressive desert tree from the American Southwest. Learn how to grow and care for this stunning palm.

12 min
Yucca angustissima with narrow gray-green leaves and white flowersAsparagaceae

Yucca Angustissima: complete guide

Yucca angustissima

Yucca angustissima (narrow-leaf yucca) is a compact American desert plant with slender gray-green leaves and spectacular creamy white flower spikes. Ideal for dry gardens.

12 min
Yucca arkansana with blue-gray rosettes and white flower spikesAsparagaceae

Yucca Arkansana: complete guide

Yucca arkansana

Yucca arkansana (Arkansas yucca) is an imposing American desert plant with blue-gray rosettes and spectacular towering flower spikes. Perfect for southern dry gardens.

12 min
Joshua tree with characteristic twisted branches in the Mojave DesertAsparagaceae

Joshua tree: complete guide

Yucca brevifolia

Discover the iconic Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia), a Mojave Desert shrub bringing instant architectural drama to gardens with extremely minimal care.

12 min
Yucca decipiens with pointed green leaves in a desert-like settingAsparagaceae

Yucca decipiens: complete guide

Yucca decipiens

Yucca decipiens, known as Chinese palm, is an interesting succulent from Mexico. Learn how to grow and maintain this exotic desert plant.

11 min
Soaptree Yucca with tall flower spike and white bell flowers in desertAsparagaceae

Soaptree Yucca: complete guide

Yucca elata

Discover the dramatic Soaptree Yucca (Yucca elata), an American desert plant with stunning white flowers. Learn everything about cultivation, drought tolerance, and landscape use in warm climates.

12 min
Yucca faxoniana with blue-gray rosettes and massive white flower spikesAsparagaceae

Yucca Faxoniana: complete guide

Yucca faxoniana

Yucca faxoniana (Spanish dagger) is a monumental American desert plant with sturdy blue-gray rosettes and massive white flower spikes. Perfect for dramatic, extreme dry gardens.

12 min
Yucca pallida plant with characteristic twisted pale green leavesAsparagaceae

Yucca pallida: complete guide

Yucca pallida

Meet the twistleaf yucca, a fascinating Texas native with uniquely twisted foliage and elegant white flowers, perfect for drought-tolerant gardens.

12 min