There are deserts on every continent. And all of them can kill you.
Scorching daytime heat, frigid nightime temps, and bone-dry landscapes make deserts some of the harshest natural environments around.
And yet, many desert communities are thriving. Cities like Las Vegas, Nevada in the Mojave Desert and Phoenix, Arizona in the Sonoran Desert have experienced some of the largest population growth in the United States over the last decade.
If you’re a desert dweller or are considering becoming one, this post is for you.
Despite the tough conditions, natural desert landscapes are stunning. They are also home to some of the most beautiful, hardy, and bizarre plants on Earth.
This post is full of ideas on how to spice up your patch of sand and rock with desert curb appeal. I recommend design strategies that amplify natural desert beauty while taking the burden off your water bill with drought and heat tolerant planting.
Read on for desert landscaping inspiration.
TL;DR
Hardscape elements like rocks, gravel, and pavers add aesthic appeal and functionality to desert gardens.
Incorporate drought tolerant plants like cacti and succulents that thrive with minimal water.
Plant desert-adapted trees like Mesquite and Palo Verde for natural shade and wind protection.
Drip irrigation and a surface layer of mulch are the best ways to minimize water waste in sandy soil.
Spice Up Your Patch of Sand With These Desert Landscaping Ideas
These 9 desert landscaping ideas cover the essentials for a thriving garden in hot and dry climates. Planting, shade, pathways, windbreaks, and design materials – we’ll hit it all.
1. Rocks
Rocks are critical to natural desert ecosystems.
They reduce erosion.
They retain soil moisture by minimizing evaporation.
And they create heat sinks which protect desert plants from extreme temperature fluctuations.
They also look damn fine in a desert garden.
Use rocks for hardscaping features like pathways and retaining walls or add them as standalone natural desert garden elements.
Consider the strategic placement of rocks to create microclimates within your garden. Rocks provide shade and wind protection for more sensitive desert plants – especially on sunny days.
I prefer natural colours when scoping out rocks for a desert garden. Reds, pinks, oranges, and browns are all fair game.
2. Plant Cacti and Succulents
When you read ‘desert plant’, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?
If you said ‘cactus’, join the club.
These spikey marvels have evolved to thrive in the desert. And with nearly 2,000 cacti species out there, there are a ton of options to choose from.
The golden barrel cactus(Echinocactus grusonii), beavertail cactus (Optunia basilaris) , and Mexican Fence Post Cactus (Pachycereus marginatus) are all popular varieties with striking and varied aesthetic appeal.
Cacti may be the most widely recognized desert plants, but they belong to a larger group of desert flora known as succulents – many of which are positively cuddly in comparison.
Apart from their good looks and ability to withstand searing heat, many succulents have powerful medicinal properties. Aloe plants are great for soothing cuts and burns, while agave is the source of tequila as well as a delicious maple syrup substitute.
Succulents thrive in most desert climates because they store water in their leaves, stems, or roots, enabling them to withstand months without any rainfall.
Many species of succulent have also evolved to trap water from the atmosphere, capturing dew and mist as it condenses on their leaves or stems.
For the best results, organize your desert garden into hydrozones, grouping plants with similar moisture needs together. This will optimize water use for minimal waste.
Container gardening is a chic and space-efficient option if you live in a desert climate but don’t have a ton of room. I absolutely love the timeless look of succulents in terra cotta pots.
3. Contrast and Texture
Compliment the natural reds, oranges, and browns of desert geology with strategic plant selection and placement.
Color contrast and textural variety are key to a successful planting strategy in any garden.
For desert gardens, incorporate a mix of cacti, succulents, and flowering desert plants to introduce a palette of vibrant blooms, rich greens, silvery grays, and deep purples.
Grouping multiple plants of the same species can accentuate differences in color and texture.
Extend the seasonal interest of your garden by selecting plants with varying bloom times. This creates a continuous display of color throughout the year.
The mix of native desert wildflowers and cacti in the photo above adds color, is adapted to arid climates, and attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Incorporating native plants into your desert landscape is a wise choice. Native plants are well-adapted to the local climates and soil, requiring less water and maintenance and providing natural habitat for desert critters.
4. Desert Color Palette
The variety of natural light in the desert can create stunning vistas out of nothing.
The sharp pinks and oranges of a desert sunrise. The shimmering browns and golds of a hot desert afternoon. The rosy reds and dusky purples as desert evening fades into night.
With such an abundance of natural beauty, I recommend complimenting the desert’s natural colours.
Sandy beiges, terracotta reds, and muted greens reflect the desert’s geology and fauna.
To add pops of color, accent these base tones with warm tones matching the vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds of desert flowers.
For hardscaping, use natural materials like stone, gravel, and wood in shades that complement the desert palette.
5. Shade and Windbreaks
A world without trees would be a world dominated by desert.
Trees play a critical role in supporting biodiversity through their ability to retain moisture and cool the surrounding climate.
They also create effective windbreaks, establishing stable environments for more delicate species (like us) to survive.
Thankfully, several tree species have evolved to withstand harsh desert conditions. To create your own natural shade and windbreaks, plant desert-adapted trees like mesquite (Prosopis) and palo verde (Parkinsonia florida).
Position trees to block the prevailing wind direction for an effective landscape design.
Pergolas, gazebos, and shade sails are great alternatives for shade and windbreaks if trees aren’t an option.
6. Paths and Hardscaping
From beefy boulders to pea-sized pebbles, rocks play a critical role in defining beautiful desert landscapes.
Garden pathways and hardscaping elements like walls and patios provide opportunities to use desert rocks to great effect.
Use permeable materials like gravel, decomposed granite, or pervious concrete pavers to maximize the your garden’s ability to soak up as much rainwater as possible. This limits runoff and helps with groundwater recharge.
Use permeable materials like gravel, decomposed granite, or pervious concrete pavers to maximize the your garden’s ability to soak up as much rainwater as possible. This limits runoff and helps with groundwater recharge.
Flagstone edging and pavers also look great, and can be spaced with gravel or soil.
Stone retaining walls and seating installations add depth and functionality to desert hardscaping.
If stone isn’t your thing, wood is always an option. Seasoned wood planking is a solid alternative to stones or for desert garden pathways.
7. Mulch
A good mulch can boost water conservation, weed suppression, and soil temperature regulation in a big way.
Gravel and crushed stone are durable mulch options that don’t decompose or blow away in the wind. They also reflect heat to cool the soil.
Wood chips, compost, and straw are all effective organic mulch alternatives. Be aware that different organic mulches have varied rates of decomposition. They can also change soil acidity, which may have an impact on desert plants.
8. Attracting Wildlife
Nothing demonstrates the success of a desert landscape design better than a desert garden teaming with life.
Adding desert flowering plants like desert penstemon (Penstemon pseudospectabilis), desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata), and desert sage (Salvia dorrii) to your garden is an easy way to attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Shrubs and bushes like russian sage (Salvia yangii), creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), fairy duster (Calliandra eriophylla), and chuparosa (Justicia californica) provide shelter and food for native and migratory birds.
The same goes for desert-adapted trees like mesquite (Prosopis), palo verde (Parkinsonia florida), and ironwood (Olneya tesota).
Native desert grasses and groundcovers offer food and habitat for insects and small animals. They also provide nesting materials for birds.
Succulents (including cacti) are also important sources of food and shelter for desert fauna.
Adding a small water feature like a pond or bird bath is guarenteed to attract desert animals, who are naturally evolved to hone in on water sources for survival.
9. Maintenance & Irrigation Tips
Desert gardens may be low maintenance, but they still need some TLC.
Here are the main things to consider…
Remove weeds, prune plants to remove dead or diseased branches, and deadhead flowers to encourage growth. Apply mulch to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature.
Monitor plants for signs of pests or diseases and adjust soil with organic matter to improve quality.
Ensure your irrigation system is leak-free and adjust watering schedules to optimize seasonal water use.
Drip irrigation is the most effective method for watering a desert garden. This system delivers water directly to the base of each plant, minimizing water loss through evaporation and runoff.
Rainwater harvesting is an easy way to improve your desert garden’s irrigation efficiency. Rain barrels and cisterns are simple yet effective options to conserve precious water resources.
Final Thoughts
With some thougthful design and a bit of care, desert landscapes can become places of sanctuary and relaxation.
Applying sustainable and environmentally conscious gardening practices to your desert landscaping efforts will help establish a thriving desert garden with minimal upkeep.
The collective impact of the strategies I’ve outlined above can also have a massively positive impact on preserving precious water resources and supporting native desert ecosystems.
