Pencil Cactus
A branching succulent shrub or small tree with slender, pencil-like green stems and tiny, short-lived leaves; not a true cactus. Special Features Sculptural branching, strong heat tolerance, and excellent drought resistance once established. Milky sap is toxic and highly irritating. Problems & Solutions Frost-tender and not reliably hardy throughout Zone 9b; freezing temperatures can damage […]
Quick Silver Agave
A sculptural agave with broad, arching, silvery blue-green leaves forming an open rosette. Leaf margins are mostly smooth, but each leaf ends in a sharp terminal spine. Special Features Silvery foliage, graceful leaf shape, drought tolerance, and mostly toothless leaf margins; useful as a softer-looking desert accent. Problems & Solutions Harsh afternoon sun can scorch […]
Ruby Red Euphorbia
An upright, branching succulent, Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ has three-sided stems, short paired spines, and burgundy-red leaves. Often called African milk tree, it is not a true cactus. Special Features Sculptural burgundy coloration; drought tolerant once established; easily grown in containers. Milky sap is toxic and irritating. Problems & Solutions Not reliably hardy outdoors in Zone […]
Yemen Brown Aloe
A succulent sold as Aloe ‘Yemen Brown’, valued for fleshy, toothed leaves that develop bronze-brown tones in bright light. Nursery descriptions and hybrid parentage are not consistently documented. Special Features Bronze foliage coloration; drought tolerance once established; tubular flowers attractive to hummingbirds. Problems & Solutions Overwatering can cause root rot; provide excellent drainage. Phoenix afternoon […]
Aloe Brevifolia
A compact South African succulent with dense rosettes of thick, triangular, blue-green leaves edged with small white teeth; commonly called short-leaved aloe. Special Features Compact, sculptural rosettes; drought tolerant once established; produces offsets readily; flowers attract hummingbirds. Problems & Solutions Root rot from wet soil (improve drainage and avoid frequent watering); sunburn in Phoenix summers […]
Agave Blue Flame
A sculptural hybrid of Agave attenuata and Agave shawii, with graceful rosettes of blue-green leaves that curve outward like a flame. Leaf edges have fine teeth, and tips bear sharp spines. Special Features Graceful, twisting blue foliage; drought tolerant once established; produces offsets. Best suited to sheltered exposures in Phoenix rather than the hottest desert […]
Blue Chalk
A low-growing succulent with powdery blue-gray, fingerlike leaves that form a spreading carpet. Also commonly sold as Senecio serpens. Special Features Distinctive blue foliage; drought tolerant once established; easy to propagate from stem cuttings. Potentially toxic if ingested by people or pets. Problems & Solutions Root rot from wet soil: improve drainage and let soil […]
Black Aeonium
A branching succulent with large rosettes of glossy, deep burgundy to nearly black leaves atop woody stems. Best grown in protected locations in Phoenix. Special Features Striking nearly black rosettes; cool-season growth; easily propagated from stem cuttings. Less tolerant of extreme desert heat than many landscape succulents. Problems & Solutions Phoenix summer heat and afternoon […]
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 […]
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 […]