January in Arizona: What You Should Be Planting Right Now (And What to Avoid)

January may feel quiet in the garden, but in Arizona, it’s actually one of the best months to plant—if you know what to choose.

With cooler temperatures, mild soil conditions, and fewer pests, January offers a prime window to establish the right plants before spring growth kicks in. The key is knowing what thrives now and what needs to wait.

Here’s your Arizona-specific January planting guide.

🌿 What You Should Be Planting in January

🥬 Cool-Season Vegetables

These crops love Arizona’s winter weather and grow beautifully when planted in January:

• Lettuce & leafy greens

• Spinach & kale

• Broccoli & cauliflower

• Carrots & beets

• Peas & radishes

💡 Tip: Winter veggies grow slower, but they’re sweeter and more tender.

🌼 Winter Flowers & Color

Yes—your garden can still have color in January:

• Pansies

• Snapdragons

• Alyssum

• Calendula

• Violas

These flowers handle chilly nights and bounce back quickly after mild frost.

Pansies add cheerful winter color to Arizona gardens and thrive in cool temperatures.

Snapdragons bring height, texture, and vibrant color to Arizona landscapes during the winter season.

Alyssum creates a soft, low-growing carpet of blooms and performs beautifully in Arizona’s winter

Calendula thrives in cool Arizona weather, offering bright blooms that last through winter.

Violas deliver long-lasting winter color and resilience in Arizona landscapes.

🌵 Native & Desert-Adapted Plants

January is excellent for planting many Arizona-friendly plants because roots establish without heat stress:

• Agave

• Aloe

• Brittlebush

• Penstemon

• Texas sage

Cool weather helps roots grow deeper before summer arrives.

Agave adds bold structure and year-round interest to Arizona landscapes with minimal water and maint

Aloe thrives in Arizona winters and adds sculptural beauty while staying drought-tolerant and easy t

Brittlebush brings soft texture to desert landscapes and bursts with yellow blooms as temperatures w

Penstemon is a colorful, pollinator-friendly plant that performs well in Arizona’s cool winter month

Texas sage is a hardy Arizona favorite, known for its silver foliage and resilience through winter a

🚫 What to Avoid Planting Right Now

Some plants struggle if planted too early in winter:

• Tomatoes, peppers, basil

• Hibiscus & tropicals

• Warm-season annuals

• Frost-sensitive succulents

Planting these now often leads to cold damage or stunted growth. Patience pays off.

❄️ Winter Planting Tips for Arizona

• Water less frequently, but deeply

• Watch overnight lows before planting tender plants

• Mulch to protect roots from temperature swings

• Avoid fertilizing heavily until spring

🌱 Why Local Nursery Plants Perform Better

Plants grown locally are already acclimated to Arizona’s climate and soil. They experience less shock, establish faster, and outperform big-box store plants—especially in winter.

If you’re unsure what to plant, our team is always happy to help you choose the right plants for your yard and timing.

Contact us today or visit us at 12025 N.Saguaro Blvd. Fountain Hills, AZ.