April is the last easy month to plant before summer. Valley nurseries say the planting window closes as highs climb toward 105 to 110, usually late April into May. April is the best month for frost-tender plants like bougainvillea and lantana, and a good month for citrus. Cactus and agave root quickly in the warm soil. Trees do best in fall, and one planted late in April gets only weeks before summer. If you plant a tree, plant it early in the month. Plants need more water as it warms. A new plant needs water every few days at first, and every day or two once summer heat sets in.
In April
- Paint sun-exposed trunks on young trees and citrus with white latex paint thinned with water, so the bark does not burn.
- Spread 3 to 4 inches of mulch around trees and shrubs, a few inches off the trunk.
- Have 30 to 40 percent shade cloth ready for new plants on the first hot days.
- Get trees in during the first half of the month.
Best choices to plant in April
Most plants can go in the ground in most months with the right care. These are the ones that do best when planted in April. "One of its best months" marks a top month to plant it.
Trees for April planting
- Chilean Mesquite, one of its best months
- Desert Museum Palo Verde, one of its best months
- White Oleander Tree
Shrubs for April planting
- Firecracker Plant (Coral Fountain), one of its best months
- Green Hopseed
- Orange Jubilee Bush
- Orange Jubilee Staked
- Purple Hopseed
- White Iceberg Rose
- Yellow Bells
Cactus for April planting
- Spiral Cereus, one of its best months
- San Pedro, one of its best months
- Crested Blue Myrtle, one of its best months
Agaves for April planting
- Blue Glow Agave, one of its best months
Aloes, yuccas and other succulents for April planting
- Firestick Euphorbia, one of its best months
Palms for April planting
Perennials and groundcovers for April planting
Vines for April planting
Fruit and citrus trees for April planting
Is April too late to plant in Phoenix?
No. Bougainvillea, lantana, citrus, cactus and agave all plant well now. Trees do best early in the month, and fall is better still.
When is the best time to plant bougainvillea in Phoenix?
April is the classic month. It is frost tender, so spring planting gives it the warm season to root before winter.
Can I plant citrus in April?
Yes. April is still a good month for citrus. Paint any sun-exposed trunk white so the bark does not sunburn.
Sedona, the Verde Valley and Globe (about 3,000 to 4,500 feet)
April is still a good month for trees and shrubs, and one of the best for cactus. Frost can come until about mid April, and into early May some years. Plant frost-tender plants once that has passed.
Best choices to plant in April
These plants we carry do well planted in April at this elevation. "One of its best months" marks a top month to plant it.
Trees for April planting
Shrubs for April planting
Cactus for April planting
- Staghorn Cholla, one of its best months
- Chenille Prickly Pear, one of its best months
- Teddy Bear Cholla, one of its best months
- Beaverita Prickly Pear, one of its best months
- Beavertail Prickly Pear, one of its best months
- Spineless Prickly Pear, one of its best months
Agaves for April planting
- Queen Victoria Agave, one of its best months
- Murphey's Agave, one of its best months
- Center Stripe Agave, one of its best months
- Desert Rose Agave (Parasana), one of its best months
- Garcia Mendoza's Agave, one of its best months
- Havard's Century Plant, one of its best months
Aloes, yuccas and other succulents for April planting
- Beaked Yucca, one of its best months
- Red Yucca, one of its best months
- Gopher Plant, one of its best months
- Desert Spoon, one of its best months
- Ocotillo, one of its best months
- Candelilla, one of its best months
Perennials and groundcovers for April planting
Vines for April planting
- Tangerine Beauty Cross Vine
- Lady Banks Rose - Yellow
- Lady Banks Rose - Yellow Espalier
- Pyracantha Espalier
- Lady Banks Rose - White
- Hacienda Creeper
Ornamental grasses for April planting
Prescott, Chino Valley and Payson (about 4,500 to 6,000 feet)
April is still a good month for shrubs and perennials. Frost can come until early to mid May, so frost-tender plants and most cactus should wait until May.
Best choices to plant in April
These plants we carry do well planted in April at this elevation. "One of its best months" marks a top month to plant it.
Shrubs for April planting
Perennials and groundcovers for April planting
Flagstaff and Show Low (6,000 feet and up)
Frost can come until late May to late June in most mountain towns, so it is too early for frost-tender plants. Hardy trees and shrubs can go in starting in May.
Higher and cooler parts of Arizona this month
Towns above the Valley get colder winters, so planting times shift. Here is what changes this month.
Sedona, the Verde Valley and Globe (about 3,000 to 4,500 feet)
April is still a good month for trees and shrubs, and one of the best for cactus. Frost can come until about mid April, and into early May some years. Plant frost-tender plants once that has passed.
Prescott, Chino Valley and Payson (about 4,500 to 6,000 feet)
April is still a good month for shrubs and perennials. Frost can come until early to mid May, so frost-tender plants and most cactus should wait until May.
Flagstaff and Show Low (6,000 feet and up)
Frost can come until late May to late June in most mountain towns, so it is too early for frost-tender plants. Hardy trees and shrubs can go in starting in May.
Planning ahead or catching up? See what to plant in March and what to plant in May.
Just planted? See how to water new plants in Phoenix.