From late February through October, something is blooming in the Sonoran Desert nearly all year long. My favorite time to visit is spring, especially when a wet winter results in a “super bloom.” Here’s how to identify the orange, purple, red, and yellow Arizona wildflowers that cover the desert floor like a blanket and accent mountainsides.
I hate winter in the Midwest. I hate the cold. I hate being cold. And once the initial excitement of the first snow of the season has come and gone, I’m already counting the seconds until spring. And while I’m lucky to be able to occasionally thaw out at my sister’s house in Phoenix, I often miss the trees, grass, and other greenery that surround me at home in Kansas City.
Unless it’s spring.
There are few sights more breathtaking than the Sonoran Desert in spring. Majestic saguaro cacti and other prickly plants stand tall under a cerulean sky dotted with puffy, white clouds. At their feet is a cornucopia of colorful wildflowers.
To share the beauty of the desert in bloom with you, I’ve created this guide to Arizona wildflowers. It is designed to help you identify the most common flowers in Arizona blooming from Flagstaff to Tucson and every hillside and trail in between.
Sage Advice: Before you hit any of these trails in search of wildflowers, be sure to strap on smart footwear. Whether lacing on boots or sliding into hiking sandals, I am a big fan of Keen!
Have You Visited Arizona?
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When Do Wildflowers Bloom in Arizona?
Wildflower season in Arizona depends on where you are in the state as well as the species of plant. But generally speaking, wildflowers in Arizona begin to bloom in the early spring and continue to bloom throughout the summer and into the fall.
One of the earliest wildflowers to bloom in Arizona is the desert marigold, which can begin blooming as early as February, especially in southern Arizona’s Sonoran Desert. Other early bloomers to look for during spring wildflower season include desert flowers like the desert lupine, desert globemallow, and desert chicory.
As the spring progresses, wildflowers at higher elevations begin to bloom. This is a good time to visit places like the Coconino and Apache-Sitgreaves to see wildflowers like the Arizona lupine, Indian paintbrush, and purple coneflower. These wildflowers typically bloom from April to June.
In the summer, wildflowers in Arizona’s higher elevations continue to bloom. Some of the wildflowers that can be found in the summer include the desert sunflower, desert four-o’clock, and desert gaillardia. These wildflowers typically bloom from July to September.
Sage Advice: Because Arizona’s wildflower season can vary by location, based on weather conditions, and other factors, be sure to look online for the latest information on the wildflower blooming season.
Best Places to See Arizona Wildflowers
One of the best ways to see Arizona’s wildflowers is to hike one of the many nature trails that wind through the Sonoran Desert or drive through one of the Arizona state parks.
Here are some of the best places to view Arizona wildflowers.
Boyce Thompson Arboretum
Located about an hour east of Phoenix in Superior, Boyce Thompson is the oldest botanical garden in Arizona and one of the largest botanical gardens west of the Mississippi River.
Desert Botanical Garden
The Desert Botanical Garden is located in Papago Park, just ten minutes from Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport. So within minutes of touching down in the Grand Canyon State, you can surround yourself with the desert’s natural beauty.
Sage Advice: Here are more delightful things to do in Phoenix.
Peridot Mesa
Because the Peridot Mesa is located on the San Carlos Indian Reservation, a permit must be purchased to travel to the prime viewing location to see Arizona wildflowers. You can still see acres and acres of wildflowers simply by driving along US Highway 70 between Roper Lake and Superior, Arizona.
Saguaro National Park
Located in Tucson, the Saguaro National Park is full of majestic saguaro cacti surrounded by swaths of color added by blooming wildflowers.
San Tan Mountain Regional Park
The San Tan Mountain Regional Park is just south of the Phoenix suburb of Queen Creek. Use this map to assess the length and difficulty of each trail so you know before you go searching for the beautiful wildflowers of Arizona.
Tonto National Forest
At 2.8 million acres, Tonto National Forest is the fifth largest national forest in the US. It stretches from the Lost Dutchman State Park in the south to Flagstaff and beyond. This area of the Grand Canyon State offers amazing mountain views trimmed with ribbons of wildflowers.
In addition to hiking Arizona in search of wildflowers, consider exploring Arizona slot canyons. These narrow canyons formed in rock feature beautifully colored walls that twist and turn and are every bit as captivating as Arizona wildflowers.
Sage Advice: After admiring the beauty of Arizona’s wildflowers, relax with a wide range of amenities by staying at one of these Phoenix family resorts.
Identifying the Most Common Arizona Wildflowers
As you explore the beauty of the Sonoran Desert, you may want to identify the beautiful orange, yellow, purple, red, and other colorful wildflowers and desert plants you see. These are some of the most common wildflowers in Arizona organized by color.
Orange Arizona Wildflowers
Globemallow
As we hiked several trails at the destinations listed above, my sister and I thought these orange flowers were related to sage or oregano. After all, they grow in clusters that reach about three feet tall and the small orange blossoms of these wildflowers are surrounded by green leaves that look like those herbs. But, we were wrong. Globemallows typically thrive after a forest fire and provide food and shelter to animals like the desert tortoise.
Related Article: Why Forest Fires (Although Terrifying) Are Actually Good for the Environment
Poppies
Ranging in color from lemon yellow to butterscotch orange, golden poppies are the state flower of California. Sure, you can travel to the Antelope Valley north of Los Angeles to see acres upon acres of these beauties in bloom, but why fight the crowds when you can have these beautiful orange wildflowers all to yourself in Arizona?
Purple Arizona Wildflowers
Lupine
In one variety or another, lupines are widely distributed around the world from North America to South America and from North Africa to the Mediterranean countries of Europe. In the desert of the Southwest, you can see their flowery purple stalks nearly everywhere since they are one of the three most common wildflowers of Arizona.
Phlox
Like many Arizona wildflowers, phlox blossoms can vary in color. Look for a grouping of five petals ranging from snow white to bubblegum pink.
Sage Advice: Native to the American Southwest, watch for phlox from Arizona to Utah and from San Diego to San Antonio.
Red Arizona Wildflowers
Chuparosa
The chuparosa’s long, slender crimson flowers make it easy to identify against a background of desert hues. Hummingbirds love the sweet nectar at the center of its amazing blooms giving this red wildflower the nickname “hummingbird bush.”
Yellow Arizona Wildflowers
Bladderpod
While bladderpods can be found in several colors, the most common shade blooming in Arizona right now is a bright, sunny yellow. Look for these yellow flowers blanketing the desert floor as if Mother Nature spilled a ton of lemon jelly beans on her desert-themed living room floor.
Brittlebush
A member of the sunflower family, brittlebush is a dainty desert cousin to the state flower of my home state. And, you don’t need a PhD in botany or a DNA kit to see the resemblance. To identify these yellow wildflowers in Arizona, look for petite scallop-edged petals with a cluster of small round seed-like pods in the center.
Desert Marigold
The desert marigold is a yellow flower that’s part of the aster family. Officially known as baileya, this hearty bloom can be found growing in sandy or gravelly soil throughout Southern Arizona.
Evening Primrose
As suggested by its name, these yellow Arizona wildflowers are as nocturnal as a vampire, but without the fangs. Evening primrose’s daffodil-colored petals open in the evening and close the following morning.
Poppies
It’s hard to step outside and not see poppies blooming in Arizona. I didn’t see any red poppies (which are quite common in California), but red and yellow poppies are literally everywhere in the 48th state.
Protecting Wildflowers
When searching for beautiful blooms in the Grand Canyon State, be sure to do your part to protect wildflowers. They are an important part of the ecosystem, and abusing wildflowers can destroy the natural landscape and harm the creatures that depend on them.
Be sure to keep the following in mind:
- Don’t trample the wildflowers. Whether hiking in the backcountry or visiting a botanical garden, be sure to stay on the designated path so you don’t step on the wildflowers.
- Don’t pick wildflowers or collect their seeds. In Arizona, it is illegal to remove native plants from public lands, and those who are caught don’t just get a scolding. Destroying or removing a native plant is a class-four felony, a crime that is on par with kidnapping, credit card fraud, and arson.
- Plant with a conscience. Be sure to purchase wildflowers from vendors that obtain their seeds and seedlings legally.
What Are Your Favorite Arizona Wildflowers?
Do you prefer orange, purple, yellow, red, or another color of wildflowers? Where do you like to search for wildflowers in Arizona? Is there a common Arizona wildflower missing from this list? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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Are we too late to see the wildflower bloom if we come the first week of May 2023?
Hmmmmmm… You’ll likely be past the prime viewing window. But depending on how quickly the temperatures warm up and how much rain falls, you may still see some color in the desert.
Hi. I was wondering if you could offer any suggestions for places to visit and hike with wildflowers still blooming mid April (14-23)? We had a trip planned to California but had to cancel due to the weather. I was thinking of flying into Phoenix and going from there.
Thank you,
Peter
Hi Peter! Based on all the rain that fell this past winter, and the superbloom taking place now, I think you should be able to see lots of wildflowers in Arizona in mid-April. While I don’t have a crystal ball (wouldn’t that be nice), I think you should see plenty of blooms in mid-April in the parks surrounding Phoenix. I would start at South Mountain where the north-facing slopes are typically full of blooms from March to May. You should also be able to see wildflowers at Lost Dutchman State Park and San Tan Mountain Regional Park. And, the Desert Botanical Garden is sure to be lovely that time of year. Hope that helps, and have so much fun on your trip!
I had no idea that Arizona had so many beautiful wildflowers. I especially love the orange-colored poppies. Thanks for a great guide!
I think there are few spots more beautiful than the desert in bloom!
I love Arizona and wildflowers, so I plan to visit this state during the spring. I was once in Saguaro,at the end of flowering cacti, and the flowers were great. I plan to visit Tonto National Forest and Boyce Thompson Arboretum. It’s great to know that it is so large.
I always have California Poppies in my garden but have never seen them growing wild
Aren’t they gorgeous?
I won’t make it to Arizona this year for wildflowers, but I hope to see them in Southern California. Love all your photos–so beautiful!
This is such a happy, colourful article. Thanks for the smiles. My dad lives in Arizona, but somehow I don’t recall wildflowers. I guess I visit at the wrong time. BTW – that photos of the hummingbird is really impressive.
I love Arizona but always seem to be there in the fall. Wish I could see this. Your photos are beautiful!
I’ve never visited Arizona, but just love these wildflowers. The colours are so vibrant. I imagine it was extra special seeing them after the ‘super-bloom’. Love the photos, they’ve inspired me to put this on my list!
I absolutely LOVE the desert in bloom!
Beautiful flowers. I know about Hill Country in TX, but didn’t know that Arizona has such wonderful spring flowers. I spent 3 weeks on a road trip in AZ but it was winter. I love the photo with the hummingbird.
What?! We live in Arizona and I’ve only seen half of these flowers before. I need to find the rest of these. What areas were you in?
Most of these photos were taken in and around the greater Phoenix area. We’ve also hiked in Tucson over the years, but I’m pretty sure these were from further north. It helped that there was a superbloom. It was hard to take a bad shot!
Beautiful photographs! I’ve yet to visit Arizona but sounds like spring would be the perfect time to go to witness the beauty of the desert in super bloom. Those vibrant wildflowers add such a splash of color on the desert landscape. Great to learn about the best places to view these wildflowers and thanks for the information regarding the permit requirement for Peridot Mesa.
Spring is absolutely the best time to visit the American desert!
All of these are beautiful and it’s awesome that you included all the names too. I love visiting flower fields or even just looking at random blooms I find along my travels, but often times I don’t know their names 🙁 I’m also planning to map my 2020 travels around flowers around the world so Arizona will definitely be on my list now thanks to you!
You’ll definitely want to add the wildflowers of the American Southwest to your travels then!
I had no idea that there were so many kinds of wildflowers! This is such a great topic to pick and I know just the person to share this information with. Your pictures are lovely too. I love the first one.
Thanks! It was such gorgeous scenery to photograph! (And I love how willing my youngest niece was to hop into a few pics!)
It is far too often that when we are out and surrounded by such majestic landscapes we don’t pay attention to the finer details, and in this case, the wildflowers. How pretty to capture each one and their name. I especially like the poppies. But wildflowers clumped together with the various colours is what really makes them special.
We were in Arizona in October. And I must admit I was amazed at how green it was. And how many flowers we did see. But we were certainly sorry we missed the super bloom. I am sorry we did not see poppies. So beautiful!
While I love the weather in Arizona, I miss the lush green scenery I have at home. And that’s why there’s nothing more amazing than the desert in bloom in the spring!
Arizona is beautiful anytime of the year. It is in the eye of the beholder. But wildflowers do bring a special splash of color. Being from California now, if the only place you are looking for California poppies is in Antelope Valley, you are completely missing amazing displays that don’t pack in the crowds — Anza Borrego desert for one or up in Northern California near Table Mountain. I especially love it when the cactus bloom in Arizona. That to me is magic!
I agree that there is nothing more breathtakingly beautiful than the desert in bloom! (And thanks for the additional recommendations on where to see poppies in California!)
Really interesting post, I didn’t know that orange poppies exist, till now only seen red ones
They do, and they’re gorgeous! 🙂
We were away this year for the massive bloom in California, but like in Arizona, the photos are simply stunning! Indeed, we love our California poppies, they have a way to brighten your day! It’s interesting (though totally makes sense) how the wildflower season varies depending on the state. We hiked Glacier NP one year in July and were surprised to still see local wildflowers boomng!
What a colorful article! I love flowers – as long as they are not in my apartment. Wildflowers in particular are simply beautiful. Unfortunately, I just have no idea what their names are.
This is so informative! Never knew there were so many different types of Arizona wildflowers. Also your photos are so stunning!
Thank you! It was easy to take great photos of such gorgeous scenery!
Such great pictures. I never really thought of Arizona as being pretty, but you changed my mind. You should do an article on Kansas Wildflowers and Native Plants. There are a number of great native prairies nearby. Have you done the prairie paths near Manhattan KS / Kansas State University?
Thanks! Arizona is its most beautiful when it’s blooming in the spring (if you ask this Midwesterner)! I did a similar article about the wildflowers of Northeast Kansas https://everydaywanderer.com/kansas-wildflowers but nothing more specific other than mentions of the gorgeous Tallgrass Prairie Reserve near KSU. Great idea for next time I’m out that way. Thanks!