Medicinal Aloe
A clumping succulent with thick, fleshy, lance-shaped leaves edged with small teeth. Its leaves contain the clear gel commonly used in topical skin-care products. Special Features Drought tolerant once established; produces offsets for easy propagation; flowers attract hummingbirds and other pollinators. Leaf latex is unsafe to ingest, and plants are toxic to pets if eaten. […]
Dragon Toes Agave
A compact agave commonly sold as Agave pygmaea ‘Dragon Toes’, with broad, blue-green leaves, prominent reddish-brown marginal teeth, and dark terminal spines. Special Features Compact architectural form, striking teeth, and good drought tolerance; well suited to decorative containers. Problems & Solutions Excess moisture can cause root and crown rot; provide excellent drainage and avoid frequent […]
Agave Sch Royal Flush
A compact, variegated Agave schidigera cultivar with narrow green leaves, creamy-yellow margins, curling white edge threads, and sharp terminal spines. Pink to reddish tones may develop along the margins, especially in cooler weather. Special Features Decorative variegation, curling white leaf threads, seasonal pink-red coloration, and a compact form. Drought tolerant once established. Problems & Solutions […]
Prickly Pear Baby Rita
A compact beavertail-type prickly pear with rounded, flattened blue-gray pads that develop attractive purple tones, especially during cool weather or drought. Special Features Compact size; colorful purple-blushed pads; excellent heat and drought tolerance; flowers attract native bees. Problems & Solutions Overwatering or poor drainage can cause rot; let soil dry thoroughly. Cochineal scale may appear […]
Sandpaper Verbena
Sandpaper verbena (Verbena rigida) is a spreading perennial with rough-textured leaves and vivid purple flower clusters held above upright stems. Special Features Heat tolerant and drought tolerant once established; attracts butterflies and other pollinators; distinctive sandpapery foliage. Problems & Solutions Poor drainage can cause root rot; avoid soggy soil. Spider mites may appear in hot, […]
Tangerine Aloe
A compact, clumping hybrid aloe generally sold as Aloe ‘Tangerine’, with fleshy, toothed leaves and showy tangerine-orange flowers. Special Features Drought tolerant once established; hummingbird-attracting flowers; produces offsets that expand the clump. Problems & Solutions Root rot from excess moisture: improve drainage and allow drying between waterings. Summer sunburn: provide afternoon shade. Frost damage: cover […]
Chalk Fingers
An upright, branching succulent with elongated, fingerlike, blue-gray leaves coated in a powdery white bloom; also known as big blue chalk sticks. Special Features Striking chalky blue foliage; drought tolerant once established; provides strong vertical contrast among rounded succulents. Problems & Solutions Root and stem rot from wet soil (improve drainage and allow drying); sunburn […]
Coral Aloe
A sculptural, generally solitary aloe with broad, smooth, blue-green leaves edged in coral pink and showy clusters of coral-red flowers. Special Features Toothless pink leaf margins; drought tolerant; attracts hummingbirds and other pollinators. Problems & Solutions Poor drainage and excess moisture cause root or crown rot; keep the crown dry and avoid soggy soil. Intense […]
Gold Tooth Aloe
A compact, clumping aloe with fleshy green rosettes edged in prominent golden-yellow teeth. Special Features Golden leaf teeth, colorful stress-tinted foliage, drought tolerance, easy propagation from offsets, and hummingbird-attracting flowers. Problems & Solutions Root rot from excess moisture (improve drainage and let soil dry); sunburn in Phoenix heat (provide afternoon shade); frost injury, especially below […]
Native Hedgehog Cactus
A clumping cactus native to Arizona and the southwestern deserts, with upright, ribbed green stems densely covered in stout spines and showy spring flowers. Special Features Arizona native; exceptionally drought tolerant; attracts native bees; produces edible red fruit with spines that must be carefully removed. Problems & Solutions Root and crown rot from excessive moisture […]