Seeds of Spring are Sown in the Fall
We’ve never given away a Plant of the Month before—but this time we’re kicking things up a notch with a free wildflower seed packet! Sign up for our monthly newsletter and we’ll mail you seeds to start your own spring bloom. But here’s the catch: you need to plant them NOW.
Why Fall?
It might feel strange to talk about wildflowers in the fall, after all, they don’t burst into color until February through April. But here in the Sonoran Desert, fall is the season to sow.
Wildflowers are natural drought evaders. Their seeds lie dormant through our hot, dry summers until triggered by fall and winter rains. They stay small and hardy through the cooler months, then explode into bloom come spring. Planting in fall gives them the root strength they need for a spectacular show later.
What to Look For
Skip generic wildflower or “meadow” mixes from other regions. For example, African Daisies are from Africa. Non-native seeds can be invasive and harmful to our desert ecosystem.
Instead, choose quality, locally grown or collected seed, which includes desert favorites such as:
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Arroyo Lupines
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Desert Bluebells
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Mexican Gold Poppies
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Owl’s Clover
Find them at local nurseries, specialty sales, or seed providers like Native Seeds/SEARCH. One local supplier you’ll find at nurseries is The Native Seed Company.
How to Plant & Care
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Planting wildflowers in Arizona is easy when you follow a few simple steps:
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When: October through mid-December
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Mix it up: Blend a teaspoon of seed with a few cups (or more) of compost or mulch for even distribution.
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Scatter and scratch: Lightly rake seeds into soil, tuck them into gravelly spots, or scatter around boulders.
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Water: If rainfall is scarce, water 2–3 times per week until germination. After that, reduce to once every 3–4 weeks. If winter rains are plentiful, you may not need to water at all.
Most desert wildflowers are annuals, but many reseed naturally. Leave some seed heads behind and you’ll set the stage for next year’s bloom. Once plants dry, simply pull or cut them to the ground.
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Learn more on our Secrets to Successful Wildflowers in the Arizona Desert page.
Varieties Available
Visit our online guide, Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert, to learn about the variety of beautiful wildflowers and other annuals available!
Did you know that up to 70% of water use is outdoors? That’s why we love desert plants and feature them each month. It’s a great time to plant, and you can learn more about wildflowers and other plants on our Arizona Low-Water-Use Plants page. Visit our page on Choosing and Planting Low Water-Use Plants for tips on plant selection and how to plant properly.
Also, be sure to read through all of our featured Plant of the Month blogs!
Photos by Donna DiFrancesco. Top photo includes California Poppy, Mexican Poppy, and Owl’s Clover.
Donna DiFrancesco is a Conservation Coordinator with the City of Mesa, AZ, one of 22 Water – Use It Wisely partners to offer water-saving advice and programs. Her favorite wildflower is Owl’s Clover, Castilleja exserta, but she really likes all of the Sonoran Desert native wildlfowers!