If you live in a desert town like Albuquerque or Phoenix, you may be interested in trying your hand at growing some desert plants this spring. Not only can they add a touch of color to your home or yard, they can be a fun way to experiment with a more exotic type of plant. Even if you don’t live in a desert city, these can be a fun way to branch out into desert plants. Not all of these plants will thrive in all climates, so be sure to check the suitability of your growing zone or consider just the indoor-only varieties.

Century Plant

The Century Plant, or Agave Americana, is an outdoor plant that is known for its striking rosettes and thick, succulent leaves. The Century Plant adds a lot of personality and interest to an outdoor garden and is low maintenance for easy gardening. It is a true desert plant as it thrives the best in hot, dry, arid climates.

Beaked Yucca

The Beaked Yucca, also called the Yucca Rostrata, is another dramatic desert outdoor plant. It has a slender tall truck and stunning blue-green foliage. It is a great centerpiece of a garden as it is so eye-catching. It is a slow grower, with minimal care needs once it is established. This is an exceptionally drought-tolerant plant, ideal for desert summers.

Golden Barrel Cactus

The Golden Barrel Cactus, or Echinocactus Grusonii, is characterized by a spherical shape and golden yellow spines. It is another striking addition to an outdoor garden or walkway, though it will require a well-draining soul and ample sunlight to thrive.

Aloe Vera

For gardeners who don’t have as much outdoor space or who live in climates where a cactus or yucca wouldn’t thrive, consider the Aloe Vera plant. This popular plant not only thrives indoors, but it has a number of medicinal properties you may be able to benefit from. Place these plants on a sunny windowsill with only an occasional watering and watch them thrive.

Zebra Plant

The Zebra Plant, or Haworthia Fasciata, is another great indoor plant for those looking for a desert aesthetic to bring indoors. This plant has distinctive white-striped leaves arranged in a fun rosette pattern. These elegant plants are low maintenance but do prefer to be in bright, indirect light, and well-draining soil.

African Milk Tree

The African Milk Tree, or Euphorbia Trigona, is another exotic, desert-like plant that can be grown indoors. This upright plant strikes a bold silhouette and can make for a more distinct point of interest in indoor decorating. It thrives in bright indirect light, and should only be watered occasionally.

Caring for Exotic Desert Plants

Regardless of whether you are growing desert plants indoors or outdoors, there are guidelines to encouraging your plants to flourish. For the specific growing tips of any plant be sure to research and understand the needs of your individual plants. Every plant will have varying watering, light, and soil needs to thrive. So whether you have a 3 bedroom apartments in Albuquerque or a flat in New York, you can enjoy the joy of growing exotic desert plants in your home.