Chihuahuan Desert (Desierto chihuahuense) is a desert ecoregion beginning in north central New Mexico, extending through West Texas, and more than 500 miles south into Mexico, characterized by a dry desert to steppe climate, predominantly desert grassland and arid shrubland vegetative cover, and internal drainage outside of major rivers.
Zone
Interior
Common Name
Chihuahuan Desert
CEC Level III Code
10.2.4
CEC Level II Code
10.2 Warm Deserts
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Chihuahuan Desert |
| Geographic Range | The Chihuahuan Desert is a desert ecoregion beginning in north central New Mexico, extending through West Texas, and continuing more than 500 miles south into Mexico, including parts of Arizona, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo León, Sonora, and Zacatecas. |
| Climate Snapshot | The Chihuahuan Desert has a dry desert to steppe climate with hot summers, mild winters, mean annual temperatures ranging from 17 to 20 °C, and most precipitation occurring in the summer. |
| Terrain Profile | The Chihuahuan Desert is characterized by broad basins and valleys bordered by sloping alluvial fans and terraces, with isolated mesas and mountains that continue the basin and range terrain. |
| Vegetation Cover | Vegetative cover is predominantly desert grassland and arid shrubland, with high elevation islands of oak, juniper, and pinyon pine woodland. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The Chihuahuan Desert is characterized by great diversity and endemism, supporting species like desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, coyote, bobcat, and the Texas horned lizard. |
Eco snapshot
Vegetative cover is predominantly desert grassland and arid shrubland, with high elevation islands of oak, juniper, and pinyon pine woodland.
The Chihuahuan Desert is characterized by great diversity and endemism, supporting species like desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, coyote, bobcat, and the Texas horned lizard.
Seasonal timing
Yearly needs
What pollinators need throughout the year, and what to do about it.
| Season | What pollinators need most | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Late winter/early spring | Early nectar/pollen; safe shelter as temperatures swing | Add early-blooming natives; leave some leaf litter/plant stems until it’s consistently warm; provide a shallow water dish with stones for landing |
| Spring | Steady bloom; nesting sites (bare soil, stems) | Plant/maintain a mix of spring bloomers; keep some open soil; avoid mulch everywhere—leave “nesting lanes” |
| Summer | Heat-resilient flowers; water access; shade/shelter | Prioritize drought-adapted bloomers; water deeply to keep key plants flowering; add a small shaded area (rocks/logs/brush) |
| Late summer/fall | “Bridge” blooms to carry pollinators into cooler months | Plant late bloomers; avoid deadheading everything—some seed heads and stems become habitat |
| Winter or Dry Season | Shelter; undisturbed nesting; minimal disturbance | Don’t over-tidy; leave stems, rocks, and some natural debris; plan next season’s bloom sequence |
Keystone plants
Mix early, mid, and late bloomers so pollinators always find food.
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early bloomers that wake up pollinators and start the season strong.
Summer bridge: heat-tough flowers that keep nectar/pollen available through hot, dry stretches.
Fall finisher: late bloomers that provide crucial fuel before colder or drier periods.
What You Can Do
Turn this knowledge into action. Whether you plant a single pot or a whole garden, you are building a vital bridge for local biodiversity.
Join the movement to restore our shared habitats.
Native plants
Agaves are bold, sculptural succulents that store water in thick leaves and thrive in bright, dry spots. Their flowers can be a big seasonal draw for pollinators when plants are mature and in bloom.
Creosote bush (genus Larrea) is a tough, sun-loving shrub known for its small yellow flowers and resin-scented leaves. It’s best for dry, open spaces where you want a low-water plant that can still offer nectar and pollen when in bloom.
Desert mallows (globe mallows) are tough, sun-loving plants in the genus Sphaeralcea that bring warm-colored blooms and easy pollinator value to dry, low-fuss gardens and containers.
Desert marigolds are sunny, daisy-like wildflowers in the genus Baileya that bring bright color and steady nectar to warm, open garden spots.
Mesquites are tough, drought-adapted trees in the genus Prosopis that can add shade and seasonal flowers to dry landscapes while offering nectar and pollen for a range of pollinators.
Ocotillo is a dramatic desert shrub in the genus Fouquieria, known for tall, wand-like stems and bright flower clusters that can be a valuable nectar stop when in bloom.
Organ pipe & relatives are columnar cacti in the genus Stenocereus, grown for their bold, upright stems and showy blooms that can offer nectar and pollen when flowers are open.
Penstemons (beardtongues) are hardy, flower-filled wildflowers that bring bright color and steady nectar to gardens and containers, especially in sunny spots with well-drained soil.
Phacelias are easygoing wildflowers in the genus Phacelia, known for their nectar-rich blooms that can bring lots of pollinator activity to gardens, schoolyards, and even containers.
Prickly pears are tough, sun-loving cacti (genus Opuntia) with bright blooms that can offer nectar and pollen when in flower. They’re best for warm, bright spots and gardeners who want a low-water plant with big character.
Prickly poppies (genus Argemone) are bold, spiny wildflowers with papery blooms that can add bright color and nectar to sunny, low-fuss garden spots.
Saguaros are iconic desert cacti that grow slowly, live a long time, and offer seasonal flowers that can support pollinators when grown in the right conditions.
Wild buckwheats (genus Eriogonum) are tough, long-blooming western native wildflowers that can turn dry, sunny spots into reliable pollinator stops.
Yucca is a group of bold, architectural plants with spiky leaves and tall flower stalks that can add structure to sunny gardens and containers. Many yuccas are tough once established and can be a low-fuss way to offer nectar to visiting pollinators when in bloom.
Pollinators
Adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms; their presence is a sign of diverse, functioning habitats.
Bumble bees are important pollinators of many wildflowers and garden plants, helping ecosystems and food crops reproduce.
Adults can move pollen between blooms, and their presence can signal how healthy local plant communities are.
They move pollen between flowers while feeding, helping wild plants and many garden plants set seed and fruit.
Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen, and many species’ larvae help keep plant-eating pests in check.
They can move pollen between flowers while feeding on nectar, especially for blooms that open or scent up in the evening.
They move pollen between flowers while feeding, helping many plants reproduce.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
They move pollen between flowers as they feed, supporting seed and fruit set in many wild plants and some crops.
They move pollen between flowers over long distances, helping some plants set fruit and seed.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
They move pollen between flowers over long distances and help many plants set fruit and seed.
They can move pollen while drinking nectar, and they also help control many plant-eating insects.
Many small moths move pollen while feeding on nectar, supporting wild plants and garden blooms—especially in the evening and at night.
Many adults visit flowers and can move pollen between blooms, while also helping control some garden pests.
Many adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms while feeding.
They help move pollen between flowers in gardens, parks, and natural areas, supporting seed and fruit production.
