August is still hot, but the monsoon brings more humid air and some afternoon storms. Palms, yuccas and hesperaloe do best planted now. You can plant most other things in summer too, with more work. Shade new plants with 30 to 40 percent shade cloth and water them every day or two at first. Cactus and agave can go in this month with the same sunburn care. It is also a good month to pick the trees you want for fall and check how big they get. Hold off on heavy pruning, since cutting off a lot of leaves now can sunburn the inside of a plant. Mesquite and palo verde are the exception and can be pruned in summer. Rain totals vary from yard to yard, so set the drip by what your own yard got.
In August
- Clean up storm-broken limbs, cutting back to a side branch or the trunk.
- If the monsoon skipped your yard, give trees and big cactus a deep soak.
- Skip one watering after half an inch of rain or more.
- Choose fall trees now, by mature size, so they can go in during October.
Best choices to plant in August
Most plants can go in the ground in most months with the right care. These are the ones that do best when planted in August. "One of its best months" marks a top month to plant it.
Aloes, yuccas and other succulents for August planting
- Beaked Yucca
- Desert Spoon
- Soaptree Yucca
- Pale Leaf Yucca
- Soft Leaf Yucca
- Banana Yucca
- Green Desert Spoon
- Desert Dusk
- Blue Yucca
- Yellow Yucca
- Adam's Needle Yucca
- Brakelights Hesperaloe
- Color Guard Yucca
- Giant Hesperaloe
- Little Giant Hesperaloe
- Mexican Tree Yucca
Palms for August planting
What can I plant in August in Phoenix?
Palms, yuccas and tough succulents do best. Other plants can go in with shade and extra water, and trees do best if you wait for October.
Can I prune in August?
Light cleanup and storm damage are fine. Heavy pruning now can lead to sunburn. Mesquite and palo verde can be pruned in summer.
When does fall planting start in Phoenix?
Late September, as nights cool. October is the best month.
Sedona, the Verde Valley and Globe (about 3,000 to 4,500 feet)
Best choices to plant in August
These plants we carry do well planted in August at this elevation. "One of its best months" marks a top month to plant it.
Palms for August planting
Prescott, Chino Valley and Payson (about 4,500 to 6,000 feet)
August is still a good month to plant while the summer rains keep the soil moist. If the rains are weak, keep up deep watering.
Best choices to plant in August
These plants we carry do well planted in August at this elevation. "One of its best months" marks a top month to plant it.
Trees for August planting
- Fruitless Olive Tree
- Hong Kong Orchid Tree
- Southern Live Oak
- Texas Mountain Laurel
- Evergreen Elm
- Ironwood
Shrubs for August planting
Cactus for August planting
Agaves for August planting
Aloes, yuccas and other succulents for August planting
Palms for August planting
Perennials and groundcovers for August planting
Vines for August planting
- Cat Claw Vine
- Star Jasmine - Staked
- Tangerine Beauty Cross Vine
- Barbara Karst Bougainvillea Espalier
- Lady Banks Rose - Yellow
- Creeping fig staked
Fruit and citrus trees for August planting
Ornamental grasses for August planting
Flagstaff and Show Low (6,000 feet and up)
August is still a good planting month in the mountains while the summer rains last. The first frost usually comes in mid to late September, so leave frost-tender plants until next year.
Best choices to plant in August
These plants we carry do well planted in August at this elevation. "One of its best months" marks a top month to plant it.
Trees for August planting
Shrubs for August planting
Cactus for August planting
Agaves for August planting
Aloes, yuccas and other succulents for August planting
Perennials and groundcovers for August planting
Ornamental grasses for August planting
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.
Prescott, Chino Valley and Payson (about 4,500 to 6,000 feet)
August is still a good month to plant while the summer rains keep the soil moist. If the rains are weak, keep up deep watering.
Flagstaff and Show Low (6,000 feet and up)
August is still a good planting month in the mountains while the summer rains last. The first frost usually comes in mid to late September, so leave frost-tender plants until next year.
Planning ahead or catching up? See what to plant in July and what to plant in September.
Just planted? See how to water new plants in Phoenix.