October is the best month to plant trees and shrubs in the Valley. The soil is still warm from summer and the air is cooling, so roots grow well. A plant set out now gets six months or more of root growth before the first 100 degree day. Shade trees, shrubs, perennials and groundcovers all plant well now, and so do cactus and agave while the soil stays warm. Spring is the ideal time for frost-tender plants like bougainvillea and lantana. October planting still gives them several weeks of warm soil to grow roots before frost season starts around Thanksgiving. Cover young frost-tender plants on freeze nights. New plants need water every 3 to 4 days at first, then less as roots spread. Water established plants less often once days drop into the low 90s.
In October
- Plant trees early in the month to get the most root time before the first frost.
- Plant no deeper than the plant sat in its pot, and backfill with the soil you dug out.
- Buy frost cloth now, because freeze warnings can start at the end of November.
- Change how often the drip runs, not how long it runs.
Best choices to plant in October
Most plants can go in the ground in most months with the right care. These are the ones that do best when planted in October. "One of its best months" marks a top month to plant it.
Trees for October planting
- Fruitless Olive Tree, one of its best months
- Hong Kong Orchid Tree, one of its best months
- Southern Live Oak, one of its best months
- Texas Mountain Laurel, one of its best months
Shrubs for October planting
- Green Hopseed, one of its best months
- Orange Jubilee Bush, one of its best months
- Orange Jubilee Staked, one of its best months
- Purple Hopseed, one of its best months
- White Iceberg Rose, one of its best months
- Yellow Bells, one of its best months
- Red Bird of Paradise
- Firecracker Plant (Coral Fountain)
Cactus for October planting
Agaves for October planting
Aloes, yuccas and other succulents for October planting
Perennials and groundcovers for October planting
- Rosemary 'Tuscan Blue', one of its best months
Vines for October planting
- Cat Claw Vine, one of its best months
Fruit and citrus trees for October planting
Is October a good time to plant trees in Phoenix?
Yes, it is the best time. Warm soil and cooler air let roots grow all fall and winter before the tree's first summer.
Can I plant citrus in October?
Yes. October is a good month for citrus. Cover young trees on frost nights in their first winter.
Can I plant bougainvillea in the fall?
Yes. Spring is the ideal time, but fall planting still gives it weeks of root growth before frost. Cover it on freeze nights its first winter.
How often should I water a new plant in fall?
Every 3 to 4 days for the first two weeks, then every 10 to 14 days by the second month.
Sedona, the Verde Valley and Globe (about 3,000 to 4,500 feet)
October is one of the best months to plant, and a good one for evergreens. The first frost comes from late October to mid November, so frost-tender plants are better planted in spring.
Best choices to plant in October
These plants we carry do well planted in October at this elevation. "One of its best months" marks a top month to plant it.
Trees for October planting
- Southern Live Oak, one of its best months
- Texas Mountain Laurel, one of its best months
- Evergreen Elm, one of its best months
- Mastic Tree, one of its best months
- Native Mesquite, one of its best months
- Italian Cypress, one of its best months
Shrubs for October planting
- White Iceberg Rose, one of its best months
- Photinia, one of its best months
- Dwarf Yaupon Holly, one of its best months
- Creosote, one of its best months
- Heavenly Cloud Sage, one of its best months
- Spanish Lavender, one of its best months
Cactus for October planting
- Staghorn Cholla
- Chenille Prickly Pear
- Teddy Bear Cholla
- Beaverita Prickly Pear
- Beavertail Prickly Pear
- Spineless Prickly Pear
Agaves for October planting
- Queen Victoria Agave
- Murphey's Agave
- Center Stripe Agave
- Desert Rose Agave (Parasana)
- Garcia Mendoza's Agave
- Havard's Century Plant
Aloes, yuccas and other succulents for October planting
Perennials and groundcovers for October planting
- Blackfoot Daisy, one of its best months
- Russian Sage, one of its best months
- Gaura pink, one of its best months
- Mexican Blue Sage, one of its best months
- Damianita, one of its best months
- Angelita Daisy, one of its best months
Vines for October planting
- Tangerine Beauty Cross Vine, one of its best months
- Lady Banks Rose - Yellow, one of its best months
- Lady Banks Rose - Yellow Espalier, one of its best months
- Pyracantha Espalier, one of its best months
- Lady Banks Rose - White, one of its best months
- Hacienda Creeper, one of its best months
Fruit and citrus trees for October planting
Ornamental grasses for October planting
- Regal Mist (Pink Muhly Grass), one of its best months
- Giant Lily Turf, one of its best months
- Deer Grass, one of its best months
- Mexican Thread Grass, one of its best months
- Purple Fountain Grass, one of its best months
- Autumn Glow, one of its best months
Prescott, Chino Valley and Payson (about 4,500 to 6,000 feet)
October is one of the best months to plant hardy trees and shrubs. The first frost comes around mid October, so leave frost-tender plants and most cactus until next spring. As it cools, water less often but give the same amount each time.
Best choices to plant in October
These plants we carry do well planted in October at this elevation. "One of its best months" marks a top month to plant it.
Trees for October planting
- Evergreen Elm, one of its best months
- Chitalpa, one of its best months
- Bubbalicious Desert Willow, one of its best months
- Raywood Ash, one of its best months
- Canyon Hackberry, one of its best months
- Arizona Cypress, one of its best months
Shrubs for October planting
- White Iceberg Rose, one of its best months
- Japanese Boxwood, one of its best months
- Pink Iceberg Rose, one of its best months
- Butterfly Bush, one of its best months
- Powis Castle, one of its best months
- Boxleaf Euonymus, one of its best months
Perennials and groundcovers for October planting
- Russian Sage, one of its best months
- Gaura pink, one of its best months
- Trailing Germander, one of its best months
Ornamental grasses for October planting
Flagstaff and Show Low (6,000 feet and up)
Finish planting hardy trees, shrubs and perennials by early October. After that, wait until 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)
October is one of the best months to plant, and a good one for evergreens. The first frost comes from late October to mid November, so frost-tender plants are better planted in spring.
Prescott, Chino Valley and Payson (about 4,500 to 6,000 feet)
October is one of the best months to plant hardy trees and shrubs. The first frost comes around mid October, so leave frost-tender plants and most cactus until next spring. As it cools, water less often but give the same amount each time.
Flagstaff and Show Low (6,000 feet and up)
Finish planting hardy trees, shrubs and perennials by early October. After that, wait until May.
Planning ahead or catching up? See what to plant in September and what to plant in November.
Just planted? See how to water new plants in Phoenix.