July is the hottest month until the monsoon starts. Palms plant well now, since the soil is warm and palms root best from May through July. Yuccas and other tough desert plants also take a summer planting, and monsoon rain helps them along. 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 as well, but midsummer plantings sunburn more easily. Keep the sun side facing south and shade them for the first few weeks. After a storm of half an inch or more, skip one watering.
In July
- Give established trees a slow, deep soak instead of short, frequent runs.
- Turn the controller off for one cycle after half an inch of rain or more.
- A newly planted palm needs more water than an established one if the monsoon is weak.
- Keep shade cloth on new plants through the worst heat, clipped to poles a few feet above them.
Best choices to plant in July
Most plants can go in the ground in most months with the right care. These are the ones that do best when planted in July. "One of its best months" marks a top month to plant it.
Aloes, yuccas and other succulents for July 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
Palms for July planting
- Mexican Fan Palm, one of its best months
- Mediterranean Fan Palm, one of its best months
- Pygmy Date Palm, one of its best months
- Pineapple Palm, one of its best months
- Pindo Palm, one of its best months
Can you plant during monsoon season?
Yes. Palms, yuccas and other desert plants handle summer planting, and the rain helps them root. Shade and water new plants closely at first.
Is July a good time to plant palm trees?
Yes. July is one of the best months for palms, because the soil is above 65 degrees and roots grow fast.
Should I water after a monsoon storm?
Skip one watering after half an inch of rain or more. Set the drip by what actually fell in your yard.
Sedona, the Verde Valley and Globe (about 3,000 to 4,500 feet)
Best choices to plant in July
These plants we carry do well planted in July at this elevation. "One of its best months" marks a top month to plant it.
Palms for July planting
- Mexican Fan Palm, one of its best months
- Mediterranean Fan Palm, one of its best months
- Pygmy Date Palm, one of its best months
- Pineapple Palm, one of its best months
- Pindo Palm, one of its best months
Prescott, Chino Valley and Payson (about 4,500 to 6,000 feet)
The summer rains make July and August a good second planting season in the high desert. Warm, moist soil helps trees, shrubs and fruit trees root. Keep deep watering until the rains start, then turn the timer down.
Best choices to plant in July
These plants we carry do well planted in July at this elevation. "One of its best months" marks a top month to plant it.
Trees for July planting
- Fruitless Olive Tree
- Hong Kong Orchid Tree
- Southern Live Oak
- Texas Mountain Laurel
- Evergreen Elm
- Ironwood
Shrubs for July planting
Cactus for July planting
Agaves for July planting
Aloes, yuccas and other succulents for July planting
Palms for July planting
Perennials and groundcovers for July planting
Vines for July 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 July planting
Ornamental grasses for July planting
Flagstaff and Show Low (6,000 feet and up)
The summer rains usually start in the first week of July, and they are the time to plant natives, trees and shrubs. Once the rains arrive, cut back on watering.
Best choices to plant in July
These plants we carry do well planted in July at this elevation. "One of its best months" marks a top month to plant it.
Trees for July planting
- Fruitless Olive Tree
- Hong Kong Orchid Tree
- Southern Live Oak
- Texas Mountain Laurel
- Evergreen Elm
- Ironwood
Shrubs for July planting
Cactus for July planting
Agaves for July planting
Aloes, yuccas and other succulents for July planting
Palms for July planting
Perennials and groundcovers for July planting
Vines for July 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 July planting
Ornamental grasses for July 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)
The summer rains make July and August a good second planting season in the high desert. Warm, moist soil helps trees, shrubs and fruit trees root. Keep deep watering until the rains start, then turn the timer down.
Flagstaff and Show Low (6,000 feet and up)
The summer rains usually start in the first week of July, and they are the time to plant natives, trees and shrubs. Once the rains arrive, cut back on watering.
Planning ahead or catching up? See what to plant in June and what to plant in August.
Just planted? See how to water new plants in Phoenix.