Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
What Kind of Plants Grow in the Desert?
What Kind of Plants Grow in the Desert?. While many plants need a fertile location with rain to grow, there are hardy species that grow in the desert. Much like animals that live in the desert, these plants have developed ways to adapt to the extreme heat and dryness of the desert.
While many plants need a fertile location with rain to grow, there are hardy species that grow in the desert. Much like animals that live in the desert, these plants have developed ways to adapt to the extreme heat and dryness of the desert.
Types
Perhaps the most iconic desert plant is the cactus. There are numerous varieties of cacti ranging from the tall, majestic Saguaro to the small and round Barrel cactus.
Identification
There are also numerous trees and shrubs that grow in the desert. The Ponderosa pine, for example, grows in high desert while the Creosote bush grows on the plains and in valleys.
Effects
There are even many species of wildflowers that grow in the desert. The Arizona poppy, with its brilliant yellow flowers, and the bright red Desert Paintbrush all thrive in arid climates.
Function
All plants that grow in the desert have adjusted to survive for long periods with extreme sunlight and low levels of water. Many of them have long roots that burrow deep to hidden caches of moisture.
Potential
Some flowers and plants also go into a dormancy stage during the driest times of the year and quickly return to life when water becomes available.
