The best native plants for Albuquerque’s high desert climate include shrubs like the edible, berry-producing golden currant, ornamental grasses like Indiangrass, and flowers like the common yarrow.
Albuquerque has some diverse climatic conditions that affect the types of plants that do well here, including some super dry areas and others that enjoy a fair amount of rainfall. So, we’ll tell you what plants grow well in the East Mountain, Heights, Valley, West Mesa, or all four of these central New Mexico areas.
For more, see our article on New Mexico Native Plants.
Native trees for Albuquerque
Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum Sarg.)
Rocky Mountain juniper grows well in the Heights, East Mountain, and Valley areas. The branches droop, and the tree features bare green leaves with a bluish tint. The little blueberries attract birds.
This shapely tree tree grows like an inverted vase and looks great as a featured landscape item or can serve as a windbreak.
Be mindful that the City of Albuquerque has banned male junipers over two feet tall within city limits because the tree produces so much pollen in the spring. Choose a female juniper, or plant the male tree only if you’re outside of city limits.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zones: 3-9
- Type: Evergreen
- Sun: Full sun
- Water needs: This tree survives on natural rainfall alone
- Soil: Prefers well-drained, neutral soils
- Mature height: 30-40 feet
Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)
Unlike most plants on this list, the ponderosa pine tree grows best only in the East Mountain area, preferably in the higher elevations. The rough, dark bark produces orange plates as the tree ages. This evergreen also emits a vanilla scent when it matures.
The ponderosa pine requires a fair amount of maintenance to deal with Albuquerque’s low precipitation, alkaline soil, and high temperatures. But this tree is popular with homeowners for its aroma and the soothing sound it makes when the wind blows.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zones: 3 to 7
- Type: Evergreen
- Sun: Full sun
- Water Needs: Moderate
- Soil: Well-drained soil
- Mature Height: 60 to 100 feet
Native shrubs and vines for Albuquerque
Golden currant (Ribes aureum)
Golden currants grow best in the Heights, East Mountain, and Valley areas. This plant hosts butterflies, and it attracts pollinators like bees. Golden currant produces yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers that emit a clove-like smell in the late spring. Songbirds come for the berries in the summer. The dark-colored treats are edible and have been used to make juices and pies.
This perennial brightens up wildlife gardens and also works well as shrub borders.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zones: 3-8
- Type: Deciduous perennial
- Sun: Full to partial sun
- Water needs: Low; drought-tolerant
- Soil: Well-drained, organically rich
- Mature height: 3-10 feet
False indigo (Amorpha fruticosa)
False indigo thrives in the Valley and Heights. Clusters of tiny purplish and orange flowers grow at the tips of the stems. If you have a good sense of smell, you can probably catch the hint of vanilla scent. This perennial attracts monarch butterflies and bees. Birds feast on the seed pods in the fall.
If you want false indigo to spread, plant it in a shady environment. Otherwise, it will grow in a compact pattern. Water false indigo deeply bi-weekly if the roots are not located where they can access groundwater.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zones: 4 to 9
- Type: Perennial
- Sun: Full sun or partial shade
- Water Needs: Water regularly
- Soil: Clay, silt, high organic matter, or sandy soil; moist or somewhat wet to somewhat dry
- Mature Height: 4-15 feet
Rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa)
The majestic rubber rabbitbrush grows in all areas of Central New Mexico. The year-round bluish-green stems maintain their color in the Albuquerque winters, and the leaves have a silver hue. This shrub boasts small, bright yellow flowers from late summer to fall. Rubber rabbitbrush attracts butterflies.
Some claim this low-maintenance plant gives off a slightly pineapple aroma. On the other hand, others are put off by what they describe as a rubber smell, and thus the reason for the root word nauseous (naucious) in the scientific name.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zones: 4 to 9
- Type: Deciduous
- Sun: Full sun
- Water Needs: Low
- Soil: Well-drained clay, sandy, or loam soil
- Mature Height: 4-7 feet
Western white clematis (Clematis ligusticifolia)
Western white clematis grows well in all soil types, making it a good choice for the entire Albuquerque area. The small white flowers bloom in late summer and have a sweet scent that attracts butterflies. This plant also attracts bees. The seed pods that develop in late summer are silvery and add to the vine’s visual interest.
Western white clematis is poisonous to cats and dogs, but if you have no fur babies, the vine is great for a vertical garden or small space. It is fast-growing and can provide a privacy screen as it winds around and up trellises. Western white clematis’s maturity height of up to 30 feet makes it ideal for covering large walls.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zones: 5-7
- Duration: Deciduous
- Sun: Full sun
- Water needs: Once established; clematis needs 1 inch of water weekly.
- Soil: Prefers deep, moist, well-drained soils.
- Mature height: This vine can grow to 30 feet.
Native flowers for Albuquerque
Rocky Mountain penstemon (Penstemon strictus)
This perennial boasts showy purple-blue flowers that blossom for a little less than a month in the spring. The Rocky Mountain flower is one of the easiest penstemons to grow. Its greater tolerance for multiple soil types than other penstemons means it grows well throughout Central New Mexico. This perennial also handles sunlight better than its fellow penstemons. For optimal results, do not overcrowd rocky mountain penstemons. Z
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zones: 4 to 9
- Duration: Perennial evergreen
- Sun: Full sun
- Water needs: Water when topsoil has completely dried out.
- Soil: Sandy/rocky
- Mature height: 2-2 ½ feet
Common yarrow (Achillea Millefolium)
Common yarrow thrives in all of the major Central New Mexico communities except West Mesa; the Heights, East Mountains, and Valley weather are ideal for growing this perennial. The fragrant, dark green leaves showcase an array of small petaled flowers that sit flat atop the long stems that grow as tall as 2 feet. Beneficial insects like bees are attracted to this spicey-smelling evergreen.
Moist soils can encourage common yarrows to become invasive, so be sure to plant the drought-tolerant flowers in well-drained soil if encroachment is a concern. Common yarrow needs extra water to adapt when grown in areas other than the Manzano Mountains and Sandia.
Yarrow makes a great container plant or works well as ground cover due to its light-foot traffic tolerance. Interestingly enough, it can be mowed.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zones: 4-8
- Duration: Perennial
- Sun: Full to partial sun
- Water needs: Medium, drought tolerant
- Soil: Well-drained soil, prefers sandy loams
- Mature height: 2 feet
Prairie flax (Linum lewisii)
Prairie flax grows well in all four regions. However, because this perennial is more at home in the mountains, it requires some shade and additional irrigation when grown in lower elevations.
The plant looks like it is a plant container and a plant arrangement as the lower parts of prairie flax grow in a vase shape and the beautiful sky-blue flowers blossom at the top. The lovely petals bloom in late spring and last until mid-summer. Prairie flax not only adds color to your yard with its blooms but also with the variegated butterflies it attracts.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zones: 3-9
- Duration: Perennial
- Sun: Full to partial sun
- Water Needs: Moderate
- Soil: Chalk, loam, sandy; moist but well-drained
- Mature Height: 18 to 24 inches
Native grasses for Albuquerque
Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans)
Indiangrass thrives in all areas of central Mexico. In the summer, this bunchgrass produces flower stalks up to 6 feet high. Feather-like, brownish seed heads develop at the tips of the blades and bend as the wind blows. The leaves turn a bronze color in the fall.
For best results, cut this perennial down to four inches in the winter. Indiangrass requires monthly watering during the growing season when located in clay soil. In sandy soil, only weekly watering is required.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zones: 3-9
- Life cycle: Perennial
- Sun: Full sun or partial shade
- Water needs: Moderate
- Soil: Sand, clay, must be well-drained
- Mature height: 2-4 feet tall; 2-4 feet wide
Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
Little bluestem is a good option for homeowners in all four regions of the Albuquerque area. This perennial adapts to a wide variety of soil types and tolerates drought. It needs watering only about two to four times a month in the summer, but when you water it, irrigate little bluestem deeply.
This warm-season bunchgrass’s blades are green or bluish-green and take on hints of purple and orange in late summer. The leaves eventually turn a pinkish color that persists all winter. Little bluestem attracts birds and butterflies and keeps your yard filled with wildlife into the winter, as birds devour the silver seed heads that appear in late summer.
Use this low-maintenance ornamental grass as ground cover. For best results, cut dead leaves down to 6 inches near the end of winter.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zones: 3 to 9
- Duration: Perennial
- Sun: Full sun
- Water needs: Low
- Soil: Dry to moist, well-drained soils
- Mature height: 2 to 4 feet
Native cactus for Albuquerque
Soaptree yucca (Yucca elata)
Soaptree yuca is New Mexico’s state flower. It grows best in West Mesa, the Valley, and the Heights.
This tree is quite a sight, with spiked leaves that grow in a circle at the top. Flower stalks appear in the summer and stick out beyond the leaves. White flowers cluster at the ends of the stalks.
Hummingbirds and wildlife flock to this plant. But be aware that soaptree yucca is poisonous to dogs, cats, and horses.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zones: 6-11
- Duration: Evergreen perennial
- Sunlight needs: Full sun
- Water needs: Drought-tolerant; do not require water outside of natural rainfall
- Soil preferences: Well-drained loam or sand
- Mature size: 5-20 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide
Albuquerque native plant FAQs
Where can I find pre-grown plants or seeds?
Local nurseries and home improvement stores are a good place to purchase pre-grown plants. Be mindful that while pre-grown plants are less work, seeded plants will adapt to your yard better than their pre-grown counterparts. You can buy seeds from online stores like Amazon and Home Depot.
Why should I choose native plants?
Native plants are typically more low maintenance than non-native plants because native varieties have adapted to the local climate. As a result, they need less watering and few to no herbicide treatments because they’re resistant to local insects and diseases. Furthermore, native species are beneficial to the ecosystem because they provide food and habitat to area insects and wildlife.
For more native floras, check out our article, New Mexico Native Plants for Your Landscape.
What is the best grass for New Mexico Lawns?
Your landscape is not complete without a healthy and lush lawn to complement your flowers, shrubs, trees, and other plants. Since most of the state is in the transition zone, the best grasses for New Mexico include cool-season and warm-season varieties. Cool-season grasses include perennial ryegrass and tall fescue. St. Augustinegrass and Bermudagrass are some of the best warm-season grasses.
Lawn Love’s guide, The Best Grass for New Mexico Lawns, helps you select the best grass for your landscape.
Once you’ve decided on a turf type, get started creating a lush and green lawn with our article, When to Plant Grass in New Mexico.
Where to get help with your Albuquerque landscaping
The widely varying soil conditions and precipitation in the Albuquerque area can make choosing plants that will thrive a challenge. Homeowners also need to select varieties that grow well at an elevation of over 5,300 feet.
Lawn Love can connect you with landscaping and lawn care pros familiar with the New Mexico planting zones and other determinants that help ensure your plants thrive.
Main Image Credit: Andreas Rockstein | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0
