Sonoran Desert (Desierto sonorense) is a region encompassing parts of southeastern California, southwestern Arizona, northeastern Baja California, northwestern Sonora, and the northern tip of Sinaloa, characterized by a dry subtropical desert climate, fault-block mountain ranges, ephemeral streams, and vegetation including giant saguaro cactus, supporting irrigated agriculture, limited grazing, and coastal fishing.
Zone
Interior
Common Name
Sonoran Desert
CEC Level III Code
10.2.2
CEC Level II Code
10.2 Warm Deserts
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Sonoran Desert, CEC 10.2.2 |
| Geographic Range | The Sonoran Desert region is located in southeastern California, southwestern Arizona, northeastern Baja California, northwestern Sonora, and the northern tip of Sinaloa. |
| Climate Snapshot | The Sonoran Desert ecoregion has a dry subtropical desert climate with very hot summers, mild winters, a mean annual temperature between 19°C and 25°C, and an average annual precipitation of 206 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | Similar to the Mojave Basin and Range, this ecoregion contains fault-block mountain ranges, scattered low mountains, alluvial fans, and alluvial valleys, with elevations ranging from sea level to over 1,400 masl. |
| Vegetation Cover | The vegetation is composed of desert types such as microphyllous scrubland and cactus, including giant saguaro cactus and palo verde, with subtropical and tropical influences in the central and southern parts of the subregion. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The Sonoran Desert is home to characteristic fauna such as desert bighorn sheep, coyote, bobcat, various reptiles like the desert tortoise and western diamondback rattlesnake, and birds including the elf owl and Gila woodpecker. |
Eco snapshot
The vegetation is composed of desert types such as microphyllous scrubland and cactus, including giant saguaro cactus and palo verde, with subtropical and tropical influences in the central and southern parts of the subregion.
The Sonoran Desert is home to characteristic fauna such as desert bighorn sheep, coyote, bobcat, various reptiles like the desert tortoise and western diamondback rattlesnake, and birds including the elf owl and Gila woodpecker.
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 nesting start | Plant/maintain early bloomers; avoid “spring cleanup” that removes shelter; keep a small shallow water dish available |
| Spring | Lots of flowers; nesting materials and undisturbed soil | Add a mix of native wildflowers and shrubs; leave some bare ground; keep blooms coming in clusters |
| Summer | Heat-resilient blooms; water; shade/shelter | Prioritize drought-adapted natives; water deeply but less often (site-dependent); add shade with shrubs/structures; keep water shallow and safe |
| Late summer/fall | “Bridge” blooms; fuel for next generation | Add late bloomers; keep some seed heads; reduce trimming; continue pesticide-free care |
| Winter or Dry Season | Shelter; minimal disturbance | Leave stems/leaves in place; avoid heavy pruning; plan next season’s plant additions |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early-blooming natives that take advantage of cooler conditions and seasonal moisture
Summer bridge: heat-tough bloomers (often shrubs/perennials) that keep nectar/pollen available through hot periods
Fall finisher: late-season flowers that extend resources when many landscapes go quiet
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.
