Outdoor Potted Plants in Arizona

How do you know if a particular outdoor plant would be a good option for your climate?

What should you look for in your outdoor potted plants?

Which are the best outdoor potted plants in Arizona?

If you’re looking for potted plants you can grow outdoors in Arizona, it’s important to look for those that work well for your climate. These plants may include drought-tolerant options, plants that like full sunlight, and plants that grow well in high temperatures.

In the article below, you’ll find plenty of recommendations to help you get started. Read on to learn more!

1. Agave

Scientific name: Agave spp.

Agave plants come in many sizes and shapes, but are usually gray-green or blue in color with large, serrated spikes. They require gritty soil and full sunlight for best results.

Pros

  • Grows well in unglazed pots, especially clay
  • Tolerant of several growing conditions

Cons

  • Easy to overwater

2. Aloe Vera

Scientific name: Aloe vera

Aloe vera is dark green and covered in small white raised bumps. It likes bright but indirect light and can grow well in indoor lighting as well.

Pros

  • Propagates easily
  • Can be used to treat minor cuts and burns

Cons

  • Cannot handle high temperatures

3. Barrel Cactus

Scientific name: Echinocactus grusonii

Barrel cactus grows short and round. It is dark green and covered in yellow to white spikes. This cactus needs loose, well-draining soil and lots of bright, hot sunlight.

Pros

  • Excellent choice for beginners
  • Grows well in containers

Cons

  • Easy to overwater

4. Blue Flax Flower

Scientific name: Linum lewisii

This flower has long, thin stalks topped with delicate purple-blue flowers. It needs sandy soil and plenty of sunlight to grow and bloom.

Pros

  • Drought-tolerant
  • Easy to propagate

Cons

  • Requires frequent watering

5. Bonanza Peach

Scientific name: Prunus persica ‘Bonanza’

This is a small version of a peach tree that stays short. It produces fruit and has drooping green leaves. It needs six hours of full sunlight every day.

Pros

  • Grows perfectly in large containers
  • Produces fruit easily

Cons

  • Requires acidic soil

6. Bottle Brush Plant

Scientific name: Callistemon spp.

This plant grows unique flowers that look like bottle brushes. These flowers are usually bright red. The plant likes bright, full sunlight and needs well-draining soil for best results.

Pros

  • Easy to grow
  • Stunning aesthetic addition to a garden

Cons

  • May outgrow pots quickly

7. Bougainvillea

Scientific name: Bougainvillea

This plant grows heavy with blooms in the right condition, and it can vine up a building. Its flowers have three petals. It needs full sunlight and prefers slightly acidic soil.

Pros

  • Excellent for desert climates
  • Blooms well with fertilizer

Cons

  • Requires annual pruning

8. Boxwood

Scientific name: Buxus spp.

Boxwood is a shrub with bright green to yellow-green leaves. It can be shaped into topiaries easily. It is known for being able to grow just about anywhere.

Pros

  • Tolerant of any lighting conditions
  • Somewhat drought tolerant when established

Cons

  • May become leggy

9. Dwarf Citrus Trees

Scientific name: Citrus sinensis

These small trees remain short and compact, but can produce citrus fruit. They may grow one fruit only or may include both a lemon and a lime tree grafted together. They prefer at least four hours of sunlight per day.

Pros

  • Easy to grow
  • Simple container requirements

Cons

  • May not fruit without ideal sunlight

10.Geranium

Scientific name: Pelargonium spp.

Geraniums have colorful, open floral blooms on the ends of stalks with bright green foliage. They need bright, full sunlight, but they can handle a little bit of shade in hotter areas.

Pros

  • Easy to grow
  • Ideal for beginners

Cons

  • Need frequent watering

11. Hibiscus

Scientific name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Hibiscus plants can grow as bushes or be shaped into small trees. They grow large flowers with wide, open petals and long stamens in the centers. They prefer full sunlight and warm temperatures.

Pros

  • Blooms easily once established
  • Ideal for subtropical climates

Cons

  • Requires frequent watering

12. Lantana

Scientific name: Lantana camara

Lantana has delicate flowers which are made up of clusters of petals. It also features dark green leaves. This plant needs full sun and slightly acidic soil.

Pros

  • Cold-tolerant
  • Drought-tolerant

Cons

  • Needs enough light or it won’t bloom

13. Marigold

Scientific name: Tagetes spp.

Marigolds are flowers that grow with large, heavy blooms. These blooms are usually round and made up of clusters of tiny petals. The plant needs full sun and likes hot weather.

Pros

  • Handles reflected heat well
  • Handles partial shade too

Cons

  • Needs frequent watering

14. Mint

Scientific name: Mentha spp.

Mint is bright green to yellow-green. It has oval-shaped leaves and also has a distinct smell when mature. It grows best in well-draining soil.

Pros

  • Handles full sun and partial shade
  • Edible

Cons

  • Requires frequent watering

15. Prickly Pear Cactus

Scientific name: Opuntia basilaris P.

Prickly pear cactus grows large paddle-shaped sections on top of each other. These sections are green and covered in spines, and may form flowers on top as well. This plant needs well-draining soil and bright sunlight.

Pros

  • Tolerant of poor soil
  • Tolerant of drought

Cons

  • Easily overwatered

16. Princess Flower

Scientific name: Tibouchina urvilleana

This plant grows as a shrub that can form delicate flowers with vibrant colors. It may also sometimes be shaped into a tree. It needs full sunlight to partial shade.

Pros

  • Flowers well in the right conditions
  • Beautiful aesthetic appeal

Cons

  • Requires frequent watering

17.Purple Coneflower

Scientific name: Echinacea angustifolia

Also called echinacea, this flower has a large center similar to a sunflower’s and long, thin petals. It needs full sun and enjoy warmer temperatures.

Pros

  • Grow best in poor quality soil
  • Flower easily

Cons

  • Cannot handle fertilizer

18. Salvia

Scientific name: Salvia spp.

Salvia grows in low shrubs with vibrant green leaves. It forms purple clusters of flowers that stand out well against this backdrop. It needs full sunlight and well-draining soil.

Pros

  • Flower easily
  • Spread quickly

Cons

  • Will not flower in shade

19. Totem Pole Cactus

Scientific name: Pachycereus schottii

Totem pole cactus may be light green to gray-green. It forms lumpy growths that resemble the faces of a totem pole. It needs full sunlight and loose soil for optimal growth.

Pros

  • Handles most soil well
  • Drought tolerant

Cons

  • May be overwatered easily

20. Vinca

Scientific name: Vinca spp.

Vinca has dark green foliage and grows delicate flowers with five petals. These flowers are often purple with white centers, but they may come in other colors. They are also called periwinkles and can grow in full sun to partial shade.

Pros

  • Heat tolerant
  • Drought tolerant

Cons

  • May become leggy

21. Zinnia

Scientific name: Zinnia spp.

Zinnia grows thick, heavy blooms that are rounded and full. These flowers are comprised of multiple petals clustered together. They require bright, full sunlight.

Pros

  • Can grow full with lots of flowers
  • Easy to trim

Cons

  • Will not bloom in shade

Conclusion

Here are some additional tips for choosing the right spot for your outdoor plants in Arizona:

  • Place your plant in a location where it gets the right amount of sunlight. Most on this list need full sunlight all day, but some like a little shade.
  • Do not place your plant in a location where it may get too much rain, unless it needs a lot of water.
  • Container choice matters. Plants that need well-draining soil prefer unglazed clay, and it’s also a good idea to think about the container size.