Desert MilkweedArizona's Essential Monarch Butterfly & Pollinator Plant Desert Milkweed (Asclepias subulata) is the most important native host plant for monarch butterflies in the Phoenix Valley and one of the toughest drought tolerant perennials you can grow. Its rush like stems and fragrant creamy white flower clusters support monarch caterpillars, queen butterflies, and dozens of native pollinators. Whether you're building a certified Scottsdale pollinator

2 feet for individual specimens that will clump over time

desert rock

Bloom may ease in peak 110°F heat

Golden-Tooth Aloe Season-by-Season in Phoenix

Desert Bird of Paradise matures around 3 to 6 feet wide

Smooth Edge Agave: similar blue-grey coloring with softer edges

blue-green leaves year-round Bloom Creamy white fragrant bell-shaped flowers in spring–summer Spanish Dagger Uses in Phoenix Landscapes

Water basin — build a 3–4 inch ring around the base to direct water to the root zone

many specimens require no supplemental irrigation outside of summer

Cold-hardy to roughly 20°F

Flame Grapefruit: adds ruby-red winter grapefruit to the collection

Plant a symmetrical row along a modern block wall or pool feature