Gardening in Las Vegas comes with plenty of heat and very little rain, so plant choices matter. A drought-wise xeriscape can cut back on water use while still feeling inviting.
Some plants handle dry conditions better than others and bring their own character to the landscape. From textured foliage to seasonal color, there are plenty of options that fit the desert climate.
Here are a few that may work well in a Las Vegas yard.
1. Red Yucca
Not actually a yucca, this eye-catching plant produces tall flower stalks with coral-pink blooms that hummingbirds adore. Native to the southwestern states including Nevada, it’s a showstopper in any xeriscape.
The arching green leaves form an attractive base year-round. Once established, red yucca needs almost no supplemental water, making it perfect for Las Vegas homeowners looking to reduce their water footprint.
2. Desert Marigold
Bright yellow flowers dance above silvery foliage, bringing cheerful color to Nevada landscapes nearly year-round. These native wildflowers reseed themselves, creating natural drifts that look spectacular in desert gardens.
Thriving in the harsh Las Vegas climate, desert marigolds ask for little beyond sunshine and well-draining soil. Their drought tolerance is legendary among Nevada gardeners who appreciate their long blooming season and minimal care requirements.
3. Brittlebush
Silver-gray foliage creates a striking contrast against the Las Vegas landscape year-round. When spring arrives, this native plant erupts with bright yellow daisy-like flowers that seem to glow in the Nevada sunshine.
During extreme drought, brittlebush drops some leaves to conserve water – a clever adaptation for desert survival. The resinous sap was traditionally used by indigenous peoples for various purposes, adding historical interest to this beautiful, low-maintenance plant.
4. Desert Spoon
The dramatic form of this architectural plant makes it a focal point in Las Vegas xeriscapes. Its blue-green leaves radiate from a central crown, creating a perfect spoon-like shape that gives it its common name.
In summer, tall flower stalks rise dramatically from the center, reaching up to 15 feet high in Nevada’s hot climate. Desert spoon requires virtually no maintenance or water once established, making it a favorite for busy homeowners.
5. Mexican Bird of Paradise
Vibrant orange-red flowers with long, showy stamens attract butterflies and hummingbirds throughout Nevada’s long growing season. The delicate, fern-like foliage provides a beautiful texture contrast in xeriscaped gardens.
This heat-loving shrub shrugs off Las Vegas summers while continuing to bloom profusely. Though not native to Nevada, it has adapted perfectly to our desert conditions and requires minimal water once established.
6. Palo Verde
The green bark of this small tree continues photosynthesis even when it drops its tiny leaves during drought periods in Nevada. This clever adaptation makes it incredibly water-efficient in Las Vegas landscapes.
Spring brings a spectacular show when the entire tree becomes covered with bright yellow blossoms. Palo Verde creates dappled shade perfect for understory plants while requiring minimal irrigation – a win-win for desert gardeners.
7. Agave
Bold, architectural forms make agaves natural sculptures in Las Vegas landscapes. Their thick, pointed leaves store water efficiently, allowing them to thrive with minimal irrigation in Nevada’s harsh climate.
Many varieties offer striking blue or variegated foliage that stands out against desert scenery. Before dying, agaves send up a spectacular flowering stalk – a dramatic finale after years of enhancing your xeriscape with their distinctive presence.
8. Desert Willow
Delicate pink to purple trumpet-shaped flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies throughout Nevada’s warm months. Despite its name, this small tree isn’t a true willow but has similar graceful, arching branches that create welcome shade.
Native to desert washes, desert willow thrives in Las Vegas with minimal care. Its deciduous nature offers bonus seasonal interest as it drops leaves in winter, allowing warming sunlight through while providing cooling shade in summer.
9. Barrel Cactus
The perfect living sculpture for Las Vegas gardens, barrel cactus adds strong visual interest with minimal water needs. Its distinctive ribbed form and sharp spines create dramatic shadows across Nevada’s sunny landscapes.
Many species produce a crown of bright yellow or orange flowers in summer, followed by interesting yellow fruits. These slow-growing plants can live for decades in Las Vegas yards, becoming more impressive with age.
10. Ocotillo
Resembling an inverted broom, this unusual plant bursts into leaf after rain, then sheds them during drought – a perfect adaptation for Nevada’s erratic rainfall. Brilliant red tubular flowers crown the stem tips in spring, attracting hummingbirds to Las Vegas gardens.
Though it appears dead when dormant, ocotillo springs back to life with each rain. This fascinating cycle makes it a conversation piece in xeriscapes, demonstrating nature’s resilience in our harsh desert environment.
11. Blackfoot Daisy
Masses of white flowers with yellow centers cover this low-growing perennial nearly year-round in Las Vegas. The honey-scented blooms attract beneficial insects while creating a carpet effect perfect for xeriscaped front yards across Nevada.
Tough and drought-resistant, blackfoot daisy thrives in poor, rocky soil that would kill fussier plants. Its compact size makes it ideal for borders, rock gardens, or between stepping stones in water-wise Las Vegas landscapes.
12. Apache Plume
Feathery pink seedheads that resemble plumes give this native shrub its name and provide year-round interest in Nevada gardens. Small white flowers similar to wild roses appear throughout the growing season in Las Vegas landscapes.
Highly adaptable to harsh conditions, Apache plume tolerates poor soil, drought, and temperature extremes common in the Las Vegas Valley. Its semi-evergreen nature ensures visual appeal even during winter months when other plants go dormant.
13. Sage
Aromatic foliage in silver, gray, or purple tones makes sage a sensory delight in Las Vegas gardens. Many varieties produce showy flower spikes that attract pollinators while adding vertical interest to Nevada xeriscapes.
Beyond their beauty, sages have culinary and medicinal uses depending on the variety. Their natural oils deter many pests, making them low-maintenance additions to drought-tolerant landscapes throughout the Las Vegas Valley.
14. Penstemon
Tubular flowers in shades of red, pink, or purple make penstemons hummingbird magnets in Las Vegas gardens. Native varieties are especially well-adapted to Nevada’s challenging climate and soil conditions.
With dozens of species available, you’ll find penstemons for every part of your xeriscape. These perennials bloom profusely in spring and early summer, creating dramatic color displays with almost no supplemental water once established.
15. Creosote Bush
The distinctive smell of rain in the desert comes from this native shrub, which releases its resinous fragrance when moisture hits its leaves. Ancient creosote clones in Nevada are among the oldest living organisms on Earth, showing their incredible adaptation to desert conditions.
Small yellow flowers appear after rain, followed by fuzzy white seed puffs. Las Vegas gardeners appreciate creosote’s extreme drought tolerance and its ability to stabilize soil in challenging landscape areas.