Why Your Arizona Plants Look “Dead” in January — And Why That’s Totally Normal

VerdeValleyNursery
Jan 23
2 min read

Every January, we hear the same concern:

“Did my plants die?”

If your landscape looks dull, bare, or lifeless right now—don’t panic. In most cases, your plants are simply dormant, not dead.

Understanding winter dormancy can save you time, money, and perfectly healthy plants.

🌱 What Is Plant Dormancy?

Dormancy is a natural survival response. When temperatures drop and daylight shortens, many plants slow growth to conserve energy.

In Arizona, dormancy can look dramatic because our winters are dry and our plants are adapted to extreme conditions.

🌵 Common Arizona Plants That Go Dormant

Many popular landscape plants look rough in January but rebound beautifully in spring:

Bougainvillea
Lantana
Desert milkweed
Fig trees
Bermuda grass

Bare branches and leaf drop are completely normal.

Dormant lantana plant with bare stems and minimal foliage in an Arizona winter landscape with gravel ground cover and natural sunlight. — **Dormant lantana in winter is normal in Arizona and will leaf out again as temperatures warm in spring.**

❄️ Dormancy vs. Frost Damage: How to Tell the Difference

Dormant plants:

Branches are flexible, not brittle
Inner stems remain green
No mushy or blackened tissue

Frost-damaged plants:

Black or brown leaf tips
Soft, collapsed stems
Damage after freezing nights

💡 Tip: Wait until temperatures warm before pruning. Many plants recover on their own.

Frost damage on Arizona plants often appears after freezing nights and may recover as temperatures rise.

✂️ What Not to Do in January

Don’t prune aggressively yet
Don’t remove plants too early
Don’t overwater trying to “revive” them
Don’t fertilize dormant plants

Winter patience is key.

🌞 When Will Growth Return?

As daytime temperatures rise in late February and March, dormant plants will leaf out and regrow naturally. Arizona plants are tougher than they look.

If you’re unsure whether a plant is dormant or damaged, bring in photos—or stop by the nursery at 12025 N. Saguaro Blvd. Fountain Hills, AZ for guidance.