New Mexico’s unique desert climate creates the perfect backdrop for a thriving nighttime garden scene. When the sun sets, a whole world of pollinators—bats, moths, and certain bee species—emerges to feed and pollinate.
Container gardening offers a practical solution for New Mexico gardeners dealing with challenging soil conditions or limited space. The first time I noticed sphinx moths hovering around my potted plants on a warm summer evening, I was mesmerized by this hidden nightlife happening right on my patio.
Let’s explore 15 container-friendly plants that will transform your New Mexico garden into a nighttime pollinator haven.
1. Evening Primrose: The Desert’s Golden Lantern
These bright yellow blooms unfurl dramatically at dusk, releasing a sweet fragrance that moths can detect from surprising distances. Native to New Mexico’s dry landscapes, evening primrose thrives in containers with minimal fuss.
During my years gardening in Santa Fe, I’ve watched sphinx moths hover like tiny hummingbirds around these flowers. The plants need well-draining soil and tolerate drought once established.
Position your container where you can enjoy the nightly opening show—perhaps near a patio or window. The blooms close by mid-morning, making this plant a true night owl.
2. Four O’Clocks: Timely Trumpet Treats
True to their name, these colorful trumpet-shaped flowers open like clockwork in late afternoon, releasing a vanilla-like scent that intensifies after sunset. Hawkmoths particularly love these blooms, which come in white, yellow, pink, and magenta.
Hardy in New Mexico’s climate, Four O’Clocks develop tuberous roots that store water, making them surprisingly drought-tolerant. I’ve grown them in half-barrel containers where they returned year after year.
The plants grow bushy and full, reaching about two feet tall in containers. Their seeds are easy to collect and share with neighbors—a New Mexico gardening tradition I’ve enjoyed.
3. Moonflower: Dramatic Nocturnal Unfurling
Few garden moments match the theatrical opening of moonflower blooms at twilight. These large, pure white flowers unroll before your eyes in a matter of minutes, releasing an intoxicating lemon-vanilla fragrance that draws sphinx moths from all directions.
Growing moonflowers in containers works beautifully in New Mexico, where they appreciate the warmer microclimate pots provide. Give them something to climb—I’ve used tomato cages with great success.
Start seeds indoors about six weeks before last frost for earlier blooms. The heart-shaped leaves form an attractive backdrop even during daylight hours when the flowers remain tightly closed.
4. Nicotiana: Fragrant Tobacco For Night Visitors
Sweet-scented tobacco plants release their strongest perfume after sunset, beckoning moths with their star-shaped white or pale green blooms. The tall, elegant flower stalks create vertical interest in container arrangements—something I’ve found essential for small-space New Mexico patios.
Varieties like ‘Only the Lonely’ or ‘Perfume Deep Purple’ perform exceptionally well in our climate. The trumpet-shaped flowers remain open through the night, closing during the heat of the day.
Plant nicotiana in a spot where evening breezes will carry its jasmine-like fragrance toward seating areas. Watching sphinx moths dart from flower to flower while enjoying dinner on the patio has become a summer highlight.
5. Night-Blooming Jasmine: Intoxicating Evening Perfume
Not a true jasmine but a tropical cestrum, this woody shrub produces clusters of greenish-white tubular flowers that release an almost overwhelming sweet fragrance after dark. The scent carries remarkably far, drawing in sphinx moths and other night fliers.
In containers, night-blooming jasmine reaches about three feet tall in New Mexico. Moving it to a sheltered spot during winter has allowed mine to survive for years in Albuquerque.
Place this plant near windows or outdoor living spaces where its perfume can be enjoyed. A single container can fragrance an entire patio—making it worth the extra winter protection it requires in our climate.
6. Angel’s Trumpet: Dangling Bell Blossoms
The enormous pendulous flowers of angel’s trumpet create an unforgettable display in containers. Their foot-long blooms emit a powerful fragrance that intensifies after sunset, attracting sphinx moths and other nocturnal pollinators.
Growing angel’s trumpet in containers works well in New Mexico because you can move them to protected spots during cold snaps. My large pot on wheels has been rolled into the garage many times during surprise frosts.
Choose pastel colors like white, cream, or pale pink for maximum visibility in moonlight. The plant’s tropical appearance creates a dramatic focal point on New Mexico patios where desert plants typically dominate.
7. Tuberose: Sultry Summer Night Scent
Mexican in origin and perfectly suited to New Mexico’s climate, tuberose produces spikes of waxy white flowers atop tall stems. The intoxicating fragrance becomes most powerful after sunset, drawing in moths with its sweet, exotic perfume.
Growing tuberose in containers allows you to place these fragrant beauties exactly where you’ll enjoy them most. Near my adobe wall in Las Cruces, the warm daytime heat releases from the wall at night, creating a perfect microclimate.
The bulbs multiply over time, giving you more plants to share. Just be sure to use deep containers that accommodate their substantial root systems and provide excellent drainage.
8. Yucca: Desert Beacons For Bat Pollinators
Stunning white flower spires make yuccas natural nighttime beacons in the New Mexico landscape. The smaller varieties like Yucca baccata (Banana Yucca) adapt beautifully to container culture, producing dramatic cream-colored blooms that attract specialized yucca moths.
Beyond moths, these native plants also draw nectar-feeding bats—making them doubly valuable for nocturnal pollination. I’ve watched lesser long-nosed bats visit my containerized yuccas on summer nights in southern New Mexico.
Use large, sturdy containers with excellent drainage. The architectural form provides year-round structure even when not in bloom, making yuccas practical choices for New Mexico container gardens.
9. Hummingbird Mint: Not Just For Daytime Visitors
Surprisingly, this New Mexico native attracts sphinx moths at night despite its hummingbird-focused name. The tubular flowers of Agastache species like sunset hyssop produce nectar abundantly, feeding moths after the hummingbirds have gone to roost.
Containers actually improve drainage for these plants, which can suffer in heavy soils. The aromatic foliage releases a minty-licorice scent when brushed against—a sensory bonus for evening garden wanderers.
Varieties with pale lavender, pink or white flowers show up best in moonlight. After five years of container gardening in Taos, I’ve found these plants consistently attract more diverse pollinators than almost any other.
10. Lavender: Desert-Adapted Aromatherapy
While known as a daytime pollinator magnet, lavender continues working into evening hours when night-flying bees and moths seek its nectar. The pale purple flowers stand out in twilight, providing landing pads for various pollinators.
French lavender varieties perform exceptionally well in New Mexico’s containers. My pots placed along walkways release calming fragrance when brushed against during evening garden strolls.
Use well-draining potting mix amended with some sand or fine gravel. The silver-gray foliage complements New Mexico’s landscape colors beautifully, while the drought-tolerance means less watering—perfect for our water-conscious region.
11. Marigolds: Sunset-Colored Moth Magnets
Often overlooked as nighttime pollinator plants, certain marigold varieties continue releasing their distinctive spicy scent after dark, attracting moths and night-flying beetles. The single-flowered types offer easier nectar access than heavily doubled varieties.
Signet marigolds, with their lacy foliage and simple blooms, perform beautifully in New Mexico container gardens. During my years in Roswell, these were always among the last flowers visited by sphinx moths each evening.
Plant them in window boxes or hanging baskets where their citrusy scent can drift through open windows. Their natural pest-repellent properties make them practical additions to container groupings throughout New Mexico gardens.
12. Petunias: Trumpet Flowers For Twilight Hours
White and pale-colored petunias continue attracting pollinators well into evening hours, with their trumpet-shaped blooms serving as perfect landing pads for sphinx moths. The fragrance intensifies at night, especially in white varieties like ‘Evening Scentsation.’
Hanging baskets showcase petunias beautifully, allowing their cascading habit to create curtains of flowers. Along my portal in Santa Fe, moths regularly visit these easy-care bloomers just as the sun sets.
Choose fragrant varieties for maximum pollinator appeal. Wave petunias work especially well in New Mexico’s climate, tolerating both heat and the occasional missed watering—though containers will need regular moisture to bloom their best.
13. Mexican Evening Primrose: Pink Desert Twilight Stars
Delicate pink cup-shaped flowers open in late afternoon and remain active through the night, creating a soft glow in moonlit gardens. Unlike its yellow cousin, this primrose spreads enthusiastically—making containers perfect for controlling its growth.
Sphinx moths and night-flying native bees particularly favor these blooms. The silvery-green foliage provides an attractive backdrop even when flowers are closed during midday heat.
Plant in hanging baskets or containers with trailing space. During three seasons in Alamogordo, my porch containers of Mexican evening primrose became reliable nightly gathering spots for moths—creating living entertainment more fascinating than any television show.
14. Garden Phlox: Sweet Nectar Towers
Clusters of star-shaped flowers atop sturdy stems create vertical interest in container arrangements while providing abundant nectar for sphinx moths and other night visitors. The sweet vanilla-clove scent intensifies after sunset.
Tall garden phlox varieties like ‘David’ (white) or ‘Bright Eyes’ (pale pink with dark centers) show up beautifully in moonlight. In my Albuquerque courtyard, these container plants created the perfect height variation among lower-growing evening bloomers.
Choose containers at least 12 inches deep to accommodate their root systems. Phlox appreciates regular watering but performs surprisingly well in New Mexico’s climate when given afternoon shade—easily accomplished by strategic container placement.
15. Salvia: Desert-Tough Nectar Spires
Certain salvia varieties extend their feeding hours into evening, with tubular flowers perfectly shaped for sphinx moth proboscis. Pale-colored varieties like white autumn sage or blue sage stand out beautifully against New Mexico’s twilight skies.
Growing salvias in containers allows precise control over soil moisture—crucial for these plants that hate wet feet. The aromatic foliage adds sensory appeal even when flowers aren’t in bloom.
After experimenting with dozens of container plants in my Las Cruces garden, native salvias consistently proved most attractive to nighttime pollinators. Their drought tolerance means less maintenance—a practical consideration for New Mexico gardeners balancing water conservation with pollinator support.