Thanks to our mild winters, gardening in Arizona is nearly year round. Find out what to plant in Phoenix, Arizona and the best time of year to grow vegetables, flowers, fruit, shrubs, vines and trees.
What & When to Plant in Phoenix
Originally published February 3, 2o23— Last updated September 5, 2026
Gardening in Phoenix doesn’t follow the typical spring-to-fall gardening calendar. The low desert has two main growing seasons, and extreme summer heat limits what you can grow during the hottest months.
This guide can help you find the right planting season and provides detailed guides for plants you want to grow.
Cool-season gardening: Fall through winter is the main growing season for many vegetables, herbs and flowers that prefer cooler temperatures.
Warm-season gardening: Late winter through spring is the main season for heat-loving vegetables and other warm-season plants.
Summer Heat
Once temperatures climb, many plants struggle with Phoenix’s heat. Heat-tolerant varieties, afternoon shade and careful planting times become especially important.
→ Learn more about gardening in the Phoenix heat
What Do You Want to Plant?
Vegetables / Herbs / Flowers / Trees & Shrubs / Fruit & Citrus / Vines / Roses
Phoenix Growing General Guidelines:
- Plant vegetables & citrus September through March..
- Plant herbs September through March.
- Flowers October through April.
- Bulbs in November.
- Bare root roses in January and February.
- Shrubs & Vines September through April.
These are general Phoenix planting windows. Individual plants can have very different planting dates, so use the detailed guides for specific plants.
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When is the best time to plant in Phoenix?
Cool-season gardening: Fall through winter is the main growing season for many vegetables, herbs and flowers that prefer cooler temperatures.
→ See what to plant in the cool season
Warm-season gardening: Late winter through spring is the main season for heat-loving vegetables and other warm-season plants.
Summer Heat
Once temperatures climb, many plants struggle with Phoenix’s heat. Heat-tolerant varieties, afternoon shade and careful planting times become especially important.
→ Learn more about gardening in the Phoenix heat
Phoenix Gardening by Month
Planting changes dramatically throughout the Phoenix growing year. Choose your month to see what to plant, harvest and watch for in the garden.
What Can I Plant Now?
Pick a month to find out what you can plant now.
What Growing Zone is Phoenix?
The Phoenix metro area is USDA planting Zone 9b.
Your growing zone is useful when selecting plants, but Phoenix planting dates are also strongly influenced by heat, so don’t rely on the zone alone.
→ Learn more about the Phoenix growing zone
Before you Plant in Phoenix
Tips: A plant labeled “full sun” isn’t necessarily happy in Phoenix’s summer afternoon sun. Cold snaps can damage warm-season plants during winter. A south-facing wall, patio, raised bed or shaded area can behave very differently from another part of your yard.
→ Learn the basics of desert gardening
