Step into the world of desert plants–an enchanting floral kingdom unappreciated by many. Grilling hot sun and nutrient-devoid soil, combined with scanty rainfall, puts them in a constant battle for survival. But despite this hostile environment–unimaginable to any creature on Earth, life still finds its way to dominate and flourish! Cool, isn't it? If you want to know more about them for gardening purposes or simply out of curiosity, hop on board as we show you the fascinating botany of the desert!
How Many Plants Are There in Deserts?
Plants in the desert are a diverse group of floral communities. Desert trees alone account for 1579 species belonging to numerous plant families. Alongside these landscape giants are the renowned desert classics—the cacti! About 1750 belonging to the family of Cactaceae are known to exist. And did anyone say succulents?! According to a group of botanists of Phytotaxa, 1400 species of Crassulaceae, where many succulents belong, are formally recognized in the database of plants. To make a rough estimation, at least 5000 desert plants are known to botany. And yet, this still does not include in-depth scientific surveys of other plant families!
What Kind of Plants Are in the Desert?
Contrary to popular belief, plants that live in the desert are not always the dominating cacti species. They comprise various species–from large trees to small shrubs, from short-loved flowering annuals to everlasting perennials, and from known shapes to weird and cryptic forms. The desert is a hub for xerophytes, which thrive in little to no water! To learn more about them, we have listed them according to their most prominent characteristics in the following.
List of Plants in the Desert
The answer to "What kind of plants are in the desert?" is so diverse that we only listed the most common ones with known biodiversity and gardening importance. These include flowering plants, trees, shrubs, succulents, and cacti.
Flowering Plants
Most plants in the desert are actually angiosperms–a group of flower-bearing species. They typically flower after the rain or during the short wet season, a time when they are also accompanied by other animals like birds, bats, reptiles, and insects, which can help in dispersing the seeds. Once in bloom, they are such a spectacular sight, like the one that happened in a Chilean desert in 2022. Some of the prominent examples are the following:
Night-blooming Ice Plant
One of the types of plants in the desert is a flowering creeper called Night-blooming Ice Plant. Belonging to the family Aizoaceae, this mesic to xeric plant can survive little to moderate moisture, an adaptive strategy for thriving in the drylands of South Africa, its native home.
Latin name: Stomatium mustilinum
Size: 3-5 inches (8-13 cm)
Growth habit: creeping, clump-forming
Bloom time: spring, summer
Rocky Mountain Penstemon
Native to semi-arid and arid regions, Rocky Mountain Penstemon is an evergreen perennial that would make a good backdrop in a desert-inspired garden. It boasts its intense purple flowers, attracting buzzing bees and other wildlife visitors. When not in bloom, the leaves add a contrasting but complementing texture.
Latin name: Penstemon Strictus
Size: 12-35 inches (30-90 cm)
Growth habit: upright, bushy
Bloom time: late spring, summer
Wee One Dwarf English Lavender, 'Wee One'
While the name "English Lavender" suggests otherwise, it is actually an aromatic perennial herb that hails from the sunny and coastal habitats of Southern Europe, specifically the Mediterranean. With or without bloom, its fragrant leaves and attractive flowers leave a remarkable impression in any desert landscape project!
Latin name: Lavandula angustifolia
Size: 12-35 inches (30-90 cm)
Growth habit: upright, bushy
Bloom time: summer
Peridot Ice Plant, "Jewel of the Desert"
As the name suggests, the Peridot Ice plant is a garden jewel and an absolute standout when its stunning daisy flowers are in bloom! Available in many colors, this plant is perfect for any rocky or inclined garden. If you like to add a bit of dramatic flair and a sense of nature's rawness, where it naturally grows in cliffs and shoreline habitats, this should be on your top list!
Latin name: Delosperma cooperi
Size: 3-6 inches (7-15 cm)
Growth habit: creeping, clump-forming
Bloom time: summer, fall
Gray Creeping Germander
If you have ever set foot in Mallorca, Spain (or are still dreaming to), the Gray Creeping Germander will surely bring you to this enchanting island paradise! Growing on the island's rock-strewn slopes, this drought-tolerating perennial herb is perfect to fill up your barren landscape. When in bloom, it will reward you with a lovely sight of its tiny flowers.
Latin name: Teucrium cossonii
Size: 4-6 inches (10-15 cm)
Growth habit: creeping, bushy
Bloom time: spring, summer, fall
Trees
If you are looking for desert plant names and pictures, specifically trees, this section is all about them. According to a group of French botanists, desert trees are plants with sturdy, long-lived, and at least meter-tall (almost forty-inch) trunks. Most of us don't know them, but the list includes monocot trees like desert palms, euphorbias, and succulents. Here are the most interesting dryland trees:
Baobab Tree
The Baobab tree is the skyscraper of the sub-Saharan deserts of South Africa and Madagascar, commanding the flat, dry landscape. It stores lots of water in its fat, cylindrical trunk, which helps a lot in long, dry spells. Standing for thousands of years, it probably lost count of how much drought it went through!
Latin name: Adansonia digitata
Size: 16-82 feet (5-25 m)
Growth habit: upright, columnar tree
Bloom time: summer
Gimlet
An Australian endemic, the Gimlet or Fluted Gum tree is a specimen of resilience because it thrives in lands that barely receive rainfall. If you encounter one, its reddish trunk will immediately catch your attention. This unique aspect, together with its elegant leaves, make it a valuable shade tree in desert-inspired gardens.
Latin name: Eucalyptus salubris
Size: 13-49 feet (4-15 m)
Growth habit: upright, roundish tree
Bloom time: spring, summer, fall
Indian Horsewood
Many folks wondering what plants live in the desert may disqualify Indian Horsewood, but when it comes to the race of survival to up to a half-year drought, it can humble other desert trees! Native to the foothills of the Himalayas, it can withstand not only dry spells but also inundations. In city landscapes, this hardy deciduous tree is a perfect shade plant, displaying lovely flowers and elegant leaves.
Latin name: Dalbergia sissoo
Size: 35-65 feet (10-20 m)
Growth habit: upright, roundish tree
Bloom time: spring
Umbrella Thorn Acacia
_Nants ingonyama bagithi baba_–if you ever have watched Lion King, you perhaps already know the Umbrella Thorn Acacia tree! It is known for its striking canopy, radiating out like an umbrella. With its flat-top covering, it provides shade to many animals, and to prevent them from feeding on its leaves, its branches are studded with spikes. After all, there is no such thing as a free lunch, right?
Latin name: Acacia tortilis
Size: 39-69 feet (12-21 m)
Growth habit: upright, vase-shaped tree
Bloom time: summer, autumn
Athel Tamarisk
At first glance, Athel Tamarisk may look like it's a sister of pines, but they are actually unrelated. What is fascinating about this tree is its capacity to sweat out salt, making it tolerate not only drought but also salty soils. If you are looking for a tree with a softer texture, this evergreen African tree might be the answer–its slender, beadlike, olive-green foliage can soften a noisy landscape!
Latin name: Tamarix aphylla
Size: 39-69 feet (12-21 m)
Growth habit: upright, roundish tree
Bloom time: autumn
Succulent Plants
The "Plants that grow in the desert" list is incomplete without the classic succulents! They are collectively known as succulents–despite being botanically classified under several plant families–due to their thick leaves that are used to store water, essential for their longevity in the drylands. Many deserts worldwide are dotted with many succulent species, from the ones we usually see in garden centers to the most quirky individuals.
Living Stone
You can't discuss small desert plants without mentioning Lithops. Turning in different shades of gray and dull red, this conspicuous plant barely comes out of the soil to avoid intense solar radiation. It literally holds the belief, "If you can't stand the heat, avoid it!" While this hoof-shaped plant may not be the most flamboyant succulent, Lithops are perfect for dish gardening.
Latin name: Lithops spp.
Size: 1-2 inches (3-5 cm)
Growth habit: superficial, partially underground
Bloom time: autumn, winter
Jade Plant
Jade plant, lucky plant, money plant–however you call it–this succulent brings a lot of good luck to your desert-inspired garden. Its roundish leaves symbolize good fortune and money, which is why it is often incorporated in oriental-style xeric or desert landscape design. Its variable size also makes it an adaptable ornamental plant both indoors and outdoors.
Latin name: Crassula spp.
Size: 2-9 feet (60-270 cm)
Growth habit: cushion-like, bushy
Bloom time: winter, spring
Pencil Cactus
If your landscaping goal is to mix and match leaf textures, Pencil Cactus will harmoniously add up to the arrangement. Thanks to its leafless stalks, you can add an exotic feeling and a different sense to your desert-inclined composition dominated by broad leaves and spikes. Just ensure to leave enough space, as it can become ginormous over time! But if you decide to plant it indoors, this condition will ensure its slow size increase.
Latin name: Euphorbia tirucalli
Size: 1-6 feet (60-182 cm)
Growth habit: upright, bushy to tree-like
Bloom time: spring, summer
String of Pearls
String of Pearls is a unique plant belonging to the family of daisies and sunflowers. It is one of its kind, opting to thrive in a water-scarce environment! In its wild habitat in Africa, its elongated, crawling stem often grows on superficial roots, other plants, or the thin soil accumulated on rocky terrain. But indoors, you can make this as a hanging plant, adding another stylish ornament to your botanical collection!
Latin name: Curio rowleyanus
Size: 1-2 feet (60-90 cm)
Growth habit: pendulous
Bloom time: summer
Dancing Bones
You guessed it right! Endemic to South America, Hatiora salicornioides gets its common name from the appearance of the stems. The clubbed stems joined in several junctures resemble skeletal joints. This cactus family member is one of the "flexible" species that can align with your gardening objectives–it can be grown standing or hung on balconies.
Latin name: Hatiora salicornioides
Size: 2-3 ft (60-90 cm)
Growth habit: upright, bushy
Bloom time: spring
Shrubs
Professional landscapers technically define shrubs as any type of plant that is short of size. However, with desert plants, this strict classification can be quite a debate, as botanists often regard non-lignified (woody) species as succulents or even trees. But for educational and leisurely reading, we included other examples that may be slightly outside the strict definition of a shrubby desert plant.
Blue-bush Daisy
A native plant of Australia, the Bluish Bush Daisy is a medium—to large-sized bush or shrub perfect for gardens in arid climates. This desert shrub is admired for its bluish-tinged leaves, which blend well with tones of green in your landscaping project.
Latin name: Cratystylis conocephala
Size: 12-59 inches (30-150 cm)
Growth habit: upright, bushy
Bloom time: spring, summer
Welwitschia
One of the wonders of the desert is Welswitschia, called tweeblaarkanniedood in Afrikaans, which literally means 'two leaves' and 'can't die.' You won't be disappointed with this brief and concise description–it actually lives up to its name! Related to pines and cypress, this gymnosperm can live up to 2000 years, thanks to its slow-growth mechanism!
Latin name: Welswitschia mirabilis
Size: 6-13 feet (2-4 m)
Growth habit: weeping, low-lying
Bloom time: summer, autumn
Candelabra Tree
A tree? A shrub? Or is it a cactus? The truth is that Candelabra trees can fall under any of these classifications! This shrub-like succulent can develop a lignified trunk and a roundish canopy–which automatically makes it a tree. However, botanically, it is a species of the Euphorbia family, a group of plants that flourish in dry and rocky habitats.
Latin name: Euphorbia ingens
Size: 25-40 feet (7-12 m)
Growth habit: upright, columnar, tree-like
Bloom time: autumn, winter
Cathedral Cactus
Almost a twin sister of the Candelabra tree, the Cathedral Cactus or African Milk tree still presents a subtle difference. If you count the number of ribs, it has either three or four–which is a reference to its species name–while the other one has 4-5. But one thing's for sure–both are unique architectural shrubs.
Latin name: Euphorbia trigona
Size: 4-10 feet (1.5-3 m)
Growth habit: columnar, tree-like
Bloom time: spring, summer
Peruvian Apple Cactus
One can easily misidentify the plant as an African Milk tree or the like, but the Peruvian Apple Cactus boasts unique features. It has more longitudinal ridges, reaching up to 12! Plus, it is a member of the true cactus family–Cactaceae. Despite being one, it can be classified as a shrub due to its medium stance.
Latin name: Cereus repandus
Size: 1-40 feet (0.3-12 m)
Growth habit: columnar, tree-like
Bloom time: summer
Cactus Plants
When it comes to spiky desert plants, cactus is undoubtedly the first thing that registers in our minds. With different sizes and shapes, this arid land flora dominates the landscape, providing niches for every desert animal. Some of these plants are so mighty in terms of size and elegance that it has a favorite subject in any Western-inspired films, leaving a lasting impression and connotation of the desert plant community.
Prickly Pear Cactus
A Central America native, Prickly Pear Cactus is a testament to both aesthetics and functionality. In desert gardens, it sets the tone of stepping into the dry wilderness. But, after blooming, you're welcome to enjoy its fruits, which can be picked and snacked! In some places in Mexico, the freshly sprouted paddles can, too, be eaten.
Latin name: Opuntia ficus-indica
Size: 10-15 feet (3-4 m)
Growth habit: columnar, tree-like
Bloom time: spring
Golden Barrel Cactus
If your main constraint is size, why not grow a Golden Barrel Cactus? The globular, ribbed, cushion-like, but heavily spined cactus suits tight gardens well. In a landscape design, this east-central-endemic Mexican cactus is often placed in the foreground, in contrast to the taller ones in the background.
Latin name: Kroenleinia grusonii
Size: 1-4 feet (30-120 cm)
Growth habit: clubbed, barrel-like
Bloom time: spring, summer
Saguaro
Further north in our quest to find the majestic desert biome plants, you will discover Carnegiea gigantea, which lives in the deserts of Arizona. Also known as the Saguaro, this tubular, forking, and longitudinally pleated cactus can soar up the barren landscape, unsurprisingly making it one of the classic symbols of the West.
Latin name: Carnegiea gigantea
Size: 50 feet (15 m)
Growth habit: upright, columnar
Bloom time: spring, summer
Pincushion Cactus
Another native American species is the Pincushion Cactus. Named after the nipple-like protrusions in its stems, "mamillia" in Latin, this much-loved species is a common cactus sold in most garden centers. During its flowering season, it is literally crowned with tiny fuchsia flowers on the tip of its spiny stems.
Latin name: Mamilliaria spp.
Size: 1-12 inches (3-30 cm)
Growth habit: clumped, button-like
Bloom time: spring
Rebutia
After exploring the northern deserts, let's head up to the highlands of the Andes in Argentina and Bolivia, where the clumpy but colorful Rebutia awaits us above 3,500 m altitude! Like the previous Pincushion cactus, this one also has small protrusions but is arranged chaotically. When in bloom, it adorns itself with pink flowers arranged circularly but with a much bigger size.
Latin name: Rebutia spp.
Size: 1-4 inches (3-10 cm)
Growth habit: clumped, button-like to clubby
Bloom time: spring
Types of Plants That Live in the Desert
The types of desert plants dominating the parched ecosystems have been a subject of interest to botanists and landscape designers for their unique beauty and adaptability. Some of these are classified below:
Beautiful Plants
The list of desert plants considered to be beautiful is quite subjective, but our personal bias includes the following:
- String of Hooks: this succulent belongs to the same family as the String of Pearls. It is blessed with exquisitely shaped leaves bent upwards like a fish hook. Its weeping vines can sway with the wind, adding a glorious display in hanging gardens.
- Crown of Thorns: this poisonous yet lovely plant known for its tiny red flowers is named for its thorny stem, which is reminiscent of Jesus' painful head wreath. It can tolerate extreme drought and can go on without some leaves.
- String of Buttons: though unrelated to previous vine species, the String of Buttons can still rock a desert-envisioned arrangement. Related to crassula, it boasts captivating leaves neatly stacked together.
- Variegated Opuntia: add another flair to your cactus garden with variegated Opuntia–a hybrid of the common Prickly Pear! Its marbled paddles will surely be a stunner!
Spiky Plants
Instead of choosing foliage that is quite susceptible to water loose, unique desert plants have indeed selected spikes as an alternative to tolerate the arid environment, such as the examples below:
- Aloe vera: this indoor and outdoor-compatible plant is perhaps the most famous spiky plant. Not only does it have pointy leaves, but it also has tiny dents on the margins of each leaf!
- Agave geminiflora: also known as the twin-flowered Agave, this species displays narrow, elongated and pointed leaves, spreading out from the center and forming a round canopy.
- Pencil cactus' Firesticks': like the regular pencil cactus, this one has coral reef-like branching. But the prime difference lies in its striking red-colored tips, which increase its aesthetic value!
- Agave' Quadricolor': this Agave is perhaps the most common choice for many gardens, including those with regular watering regimes. This is because it can thrive in a wide variety of environments.
Plants With Deep Roots
Deep-rootedness is one of the desert plant facts that you can tell to impress your friend or acquaintance because–why not? And the following list can help you with that:
- Silky Thread Grass: if your garden is too "noisy" with excessive cactus spikes, you can soften the area with Silky thread grass. This hardy grass species is an enchanting sight as its fluffy canopy dances with a light breeze.
- Common Agave: greens, dark greens, and reddish-green are often the colors of desert plants. To add another element to your garden, the grayish hue of its knife-like leaves will surely blend into your desert garden.
- Yucca: related to the Asparagus family and Agave, Yucca is an excellent addition to desert garden arrangements. This plant is also easy to acquire in many nurseries as it is one of the sought-after species.
- Mesquite: hailing from the dry lands of America, this leguminous tree is able to withstand drought all because of its deep roots. For an irrigation-free shade, consider planting this elegant tree!
How Are Desert Plants Different From Other Plants?
There are general nuances that set the common desert plants from the plants we typically know, such as the following:
- Leaf sizes are often reduced in desert plants.
- The presence of spikes is a common feature in arid plants.
- Most desert plants have a different physiological pathway to produce sugars after photosynthesis.
- Many desert plants can adapt well to poor soils.
- Most plants in the desert can change color as a means to protect from UV rays.
Desert Biome Plants Adaptations
Plants in the desert biome have transformed their physical aspect to tolerate and avoid the scorching environment. In order to survive, they are armed with the following adaptations:
- Thick wax layer: to prevent water loss, adding another layer to the leaves helps lock in water. This strategy is common to many cactus species.
- Deep root system: if you can't protect the leaves, having deep roots is another way to survive the arid environments! This allows plants to scour more water underneath.
- Leaf modification leaves: the desert foliage is not like any other. Some reduce their size into spines, and some even prefer not to have leaves at all! This is because water loss mostly takes place in the leaves.
- Sunken stomata: this morphological modification is a subtle yet ingenious way to avoid excessive water loss. Stomata is where most water is expelled and putting them deeper into the tissue is an advantage!
- Water storage organs: the plant's mere succulence is an adaptation! This is where they hoard water for later use when they face long dry spells.
Top Facts About Desert Plants, Biome, and Plant Life
Whether you are a fan of desert flowering plants or the classic ones–these riveting facts about desert plants, in general, will surely come in handy in certain situations like a party, wedding, or a simple conversation with a botanist friend:
- Baobab trees are considered sacred in many African tribes.
- Spines, thorns, and spikes are botanically distinct terms but often used interchangeably.
- If you are stuck in the desert, drinking water from cacti will help you survive–just ensure they are not from Euphorbiaceae, which are full of alkaloids.
- Most cactus flowers are short-lived, blooming for a couple of days, typically at night, to attract bat pollinators.
- Some rodent species, like woodrats, use cactus spines to guard their nests.
- Spread by bird poop, the parasitic plant Tristerix aphyllus can hi-jack a fully-grown cactus.
What Are the Benefits and Importance of Desert Plants?
Plants in the desert not only are pleasant to the eye but they provide a specific role in the dry ecosystem. The following details its unmatched importance in maintaining ecological balance, as well as its benefits in general:
- Support for local wildlife in terms of food
- Provide ecological niches or microhabitats for animals
- Promote climate-smart gardening
- Easy plants to grow
Help protect soil from wind and water erosion
FAQ
How Do Desert Plants Survive?
Sculpted by years of evolution, plants in the desert have made their way to the present by morphological modifications–it has the capacity to store water in its leaves and stems and simultaneously limit its use until the next rainy season.
What Is the Most Interesting Plant in the Desert?
One particular plant that has called the attention of many botanists is Welwitschia. Named after the French botanist Friedrich Welwitsch in Namibia, this plant is only one of the living specimens of its family that saw the dinosaurs walk.
What Plants Are Good for Desert Planters?
Depending on the size of the garden, your options in desert-inspired landscaping projects are endless! For larger spaces, African milk trees, barrel cacti, and Opuntia are perfect choices, while for cluttered gardens, jade plants, echeverias, or aloes are your best picks.
What Are Three Adaptations of Desert Plants?
The plant life in the desert has evolved in such a way that it has modified its morphology, etched within its genes, to adapt to the searing-hot environment. These modifications include, but are not limited to, wax production, leafnessness, and deep-rootedness.
What Is a Desert Plant With Spikes?
A desert plant with spikes can be a species of the Cactus family. While other plant families can also develop defensive spines, these plant species are one of the classics when it comes to the desert ecosystem.
