Last updated on October 15th, 2026 at 05:23 pm
Winter Plants in the Southwest. Well, it’s official! Fall is here, and before long, those chilly winter mornings will be knocking at our doors.
Of course, here in Las Cruces and throughout the Desert Southwest, winter doesn’t always arrive when the calendar says it should. We can still enjoy warm afternoons, beautiful sunshine, and pleasant gardening weather well into November and sometimes December.
But don’t let those warm afternoons fool you. Temperatures can drop quickly after sunset, and an unexpected hard freeze can damage plants that were doing just fine the day before.
The good news? You don’t have to give up gardening just because winter is approaching.
There are plenty of winter plants that can add color to your yard, patio, and garden containers throughout the cooler months.
Let’s look at some of the best choices for Southern New Mexico, Arizona, West Texas, and other mild-winter areas of the Southwest.
Best Winter Flowering Plants for the Southwest
Some gardeners assume that once summer annuals begin to fade, it’s time to put the gardening tools away until spring.
Not necessarily!
Several flowering plants actually prefer cooler weather. They struggle during our scorching summer afternoons but look wonderful when temperatures begin dropping.
Here are some excellent choices.
1. Pansies – Colorful Winter Favorites
Pansies are among my favorite winter plants for the Southwest.
They come in an assortment of colors, including purple, yellow, white, red, orange, and combinations of several colors.
Some have distinctive dark markings in the center that resemble little faces.
Pansies enjoy cool temperatures and can tolerate light freezes. During a particularly cold morning, you might notice their leaves and flowers drooping.
Don’t panic!
Once the sun warms things up, healthy plants will often perk right back up.
However, extended hard freezes can damage flowers or kill plants, especially those growing in exposed containers.
Pansy growing tips:
- Plant in full sun during winter.
- Use well-draining garden soil or potting mix.
- Water when the upper portion of the soil begins drying.
- Remove faded flowers to encourage more blooms.
- Protect containers during severe freezes.
Pansies look especially attractive in decorative pots near the front entrance of a Southwest home.
2. Violas – Small Flowers With Plenty of Color
Violas are closely related to pansies but usually have smaller flowers.
Don’t let their size fool you.
These little plants can produce an abundance of flowers during our cooler months.
Violas are excellent for hanging baskets, decorative containers, flower beds, and borders along walkways.
Many varieties tolerate cold weather quite well, although their flowers can still suffer during severe freezes.
One variety worth mentioning is the Johnny Jump-Up, known for its cheerful little flowers in shades of purple, yellow, and white.
Try planting several violas together for a colorful display.
They look especially nice around larger container plants.
Winter Plants in The Southwest
3. Snapdragons – Tall Winter Color
Snapdragons are another excellent choice for Southwest gardeners.
Their tall flower spikes provide a different look from the low-growing pansies and violas.
You’ll find snapdragons in pink, red, yellow, orange, white, and several two-toned combinations.
They enjoy cooler temperatures and often bloom beautifully during fall and spring.
In mild winters, established plants may continue flowering during warm spells.
However, prolonged freezing temperatures can damage the foliage and flowers.
Plant shorter snapdragons toward the front of your flower beds and taller varieties toward the back.
This creates a nice layered appearance.
4. Dianthus – A Colorful Cool-Weather Plant
Dianthus is another colorful plant that deserves a place in your winter garden.
Its flowers come in shades of pink, red, white, and combinations of these colors.
Some varieties produce a pleasant fragrance.
Dianthus prefers plenty of sunshine and soil that drains well.
Depending on the variety, it may grow as an annual, biennial, or perennial.
Here in Southern New Mexico, many Dianthus varieties perform very well during fall and spring.
During mild winters, they may continue blooming, especially when planted in protected locations.
Use them in flower beds, borders, or decorative containers.
5. Calendula – Bright Orange and Yellow Flowers
Calendula, sometimes called pot marigold, is another good choice for cool-weather gardening.
Its cheerful yellow and orange flowers resemble small daisies.
Calendula prefers cooler temperatures and can tolerate light frosts.
It is a wonderful plant for adding bright color to a winter garden when many summer annuals have finished blooming.
Give it plenty of sunlight and well-draining soil.
Remove old flowers regularly to encourage additional blooms.
An important reminder: Calendula is not the same plant as the common summer marigold, which is much more sensitive to freezing temperatures.
6. Sweet Alyssum – Small Flowers With a Sweet Fragrance
Sweet alyssum is a low-growing plant with clusters of tiny flowers.
White is a popular color, but pink and purple varieties are also available.
This plant makes an excellent border along sidewalks, flower beds, and decorative containers.
It prefers cooler temperatures and may bloom throughout much of a mild Southwest winter.
Sweet alyssum can handle light frost, but severe cold may damage it.
Try combining white alyssum with purple pansies or yellow violas for an attractive winter display.
Ornamental Kale and Cabbage for Winter Color
Not every winter plant needs flowers to look attractive.
Ornamental kale and cabbage provide beautiful foliage in shades of purple, pink, white, and green.
As the weather gets cooler, their colors often become more noticeable.
These plants look wonderful in decorative pots or grouped together in flower beds.
Unlike traditional flowering annuals, ornamental kale and cabbage are grown mainly for their colorful leaves.
They can tolerate fairly cold temperatures, although severe freezes may eventually cause damage.
They are especially attractive when planted with pansies, violas, or snapdragons.
Can You Grow Vegetables During Winter in the Southwest?
Absolutely!
Many vegetables actually prefer cooler temperatures over our intense summer heat.
The secret is choosing the right plants and getting them established before the coldest part of winter.
Here are several vegetables worth trying:
- Spinach: A good cool-season vegetable that can handle light freezing temperatures.
- Kale: One of the more cold-tolerant leafy vegetables.
- Leaf lettuce: Performs well during cooler weather but benefits from protection during hard freezes.
- Broccoli: Prefers cooler growing conditions and is best planted early enough to mature before severe cold.
- Cabbage: An excellent fall and cool-season vegetable.
- Carrots: Can grow during cooler months, although growth slows considerably in cold soil.
- Radishes: Fast-growing vegetables that are useful for fall and early spring gardens.
- Onions and garlic: Good choices for fall planting and overwintering.
Here in Las Cruces, many gardeners begin planting cool-season vegetables during September and October.
Waiting until December to plant everything can be disappointing because shorter days and cold soil slow plant growth.
If temperatures become unusually cold, use frost cloth, row covers, or a small cold frame to help protect your vegetables.
How to Protect Winter Plants From Freezing Temperatures
One of the biggest challenges with winter gardening in the Southwest is our changing temperatures.
We might enjoy an afternoon in the upper 60s, followed by temperatures below freezing that same night.
That’s quite a change!
Here are a few things you can do to help your plants survive those cold winter nights.
Use Frost Cloth
Frost cloth can help protect plants when temperatures drop below freezing.
Place it over your plants before sunset so it can help retain warmth from the soil.
Secure the edges to prevent cold winds from blowing underneath.
For the best protection, support the cloth above sensitive foliage when possible.
Avoid placing plastic directly against plant leaves because it can cause damage during freezing temperatures.
Move Container Plants
One advantage of growing winter plants in containers is that you can move them.
When severe freezing temperatures are predicted, place your pots in a protected patio, garage, or another suitable sheltered area.
Move them back into the sunshine when the weather improves.
Remember, roots growing in containers are more exposed to cold than roots growing in the ground.
Plant Near a Protected Wall
Many Las Cruces homes have attractive stucco walls, courtyards, or rock fences.
These areas can provide some protection from cold winter winds.
South-facing walls may also absorb warmth during the day and release some of that heat after sunset.
However, avoid placing plants so close to a wall that they receive poor air circulation or excessive reflected heat.
A protected courtyard can sometimes make a noticeable difference during a cold winter night.
Watering Winter Plants in the Desert Southwest
One common mistake is assuming that outdoor plants no longer need water during winter.
Not true!
Our Southwest climate is dry, even during the cooler months.
Plants continue losing moisture through their leaves and roots, although they generally need less water than during summer.
The key is to water according to soil moisture rather than following the same schedule throughout the year.
For container plants, insert your finger into the potting mix.
If the upper inch feels dry, check a little deeper before watering.
If the soil is still moist, give it another day or two.
Avoid keeping the soil constantly wet because cold, soggy conditions can encourage root rot.
For established trees and shrubs, water deeply when the root zone becomes dry, adjusting for rainfall, soil type, and the plant’s needs.
Watering during the warmer part of the day is generally preferable when freezing temperatures are expected.
Should You Fertilize Plants During Winter?
Most winter plants don’t need heavy fertilization.
As temperatures drop and daylight hours become shorter, plant growth naturally slows.
Pansies, violas, and other actively growing cool-season annuals may benefit from light feeding when needed.
A balanced fertilizer used according to its label is usually sufficient.
Avoid overfertilizing, particularly when the weather is very cold.
Too much fertilizer can damage roots and encourage soft new growth that may be more vulnerable to freezing temperatures.
If your plants have healthy green foliage and are producing flowers, there may be no reason to fertilize.
Removing Spent Flowers During Winter
Want to keep your pansies, violas, and dianthus looking their best?
Remove the old flowers.
This simple gardening task is called deadheading.
When flowers finish blooming, many plants begin directing energy toward seed production.
Removing spent blossoms can encourage certain annuals to continue producing flowers.
Pinch or snip off the faded flowers and their stems.
Also remove yellowing or badly damaged foliage when appropriate.
You don’t need to spend hours doing this.
A few minutes while enjoying your morning coffee can make a noticeable difference in how your winter flowers look.
Winter Container Gardening Ideas
One of the easiest ways to enjoy winter flowers is to grow them in decorative containers.
You don’t need a large yard or an elaborate landscape.
A few colorful pots near your front entrance can completely change the appearance of your home.
Here are three combinations worth trying.
Container idea #1: Purple and Yellow
Combine purple pansies with yellow violas in a wide decorative container.
Container idea #2: Color and Height
Plant snapdragons toward the center or back of a large pot, with pansies around the edges.
Container idea #3: Winter Foliage
Place ornamental kale or cabbage in the center, surrounded by white alyssum.
Always use containers with drainage holes and a good-quality potting mix.
Avoid using heavy native desert soil in containers because it can compact and restrict drainage.
Common Winter Gardening Mistakes
Even experienced Southwest gardeners occasionally make mistakes during the cooler months.
Here are a few to avoid.
- Overwatering: Cold, wet soil can damage roots.
- Ignoring freeze warnings: Even cold-hardy plants have their limits.
- Planting too late: Plants need time to establish roots before severe cold arrives.
- Using containers without drainage: Waterlogged soil is especially troublesome during winter.
- Overfertilizing: Most plants grow more slowly during cold weather.
- Forgetting winter sunshine: Many flowering annuals still need several hours of sunlight to bloom well.
Frequently Asked Questions About Winter Plants in the Southwest
What flowers bloom during winter in Las Cruces?
Pansies and violas are among the most dependable choices. Snapdragons, dianthus, calendula, and sweet alyssum may also provide color during mild periods, depending on their location and the severity of the winter.
Can pansies survive freezing temperatures?
Yes. Established pansies can tolerate light freezes and sometimes considerably colder temperatures. However, prolonged hard freezes may damage or kill plants, especially those in containers.
When should I plant winter flowers in Southern New Mexico?
October and November are generally good months for planting cool-season flowers in the Las Cruces area. The goal is to give the plants time to establish before colder winter weather arrives.
How often should I water winter flowers?
It depends on soil moisture, container size, sunlight, and weather conditions. Check the soil regularly and water when needed rather than following a fixed schedule.
Is winter a good time to plant trees and shrubs?
It can be, particularly during mild weather when the soil is workable. Many hardy trees and shrubs benefit from establishing roots during the cooler months. Avoid planting during severe freezes and choose species suited to your local climate.
Final Thoughts on Winter Plants in the Southwest
Winter doesn’t have to mean the end of gardening.
Here in Las Cruces and throughout the Desert Southwest, we have plenty of opportunities to enjoy colorful flowers, attractive foliage, and even a few fresh vegetables during the cooler months.
Pansies, violas, dianthus, snapdragons, ornamental kale, and other cool-weather plants can help keep your landscape looking attractive long after summer flowers have faded.
The important things to remember are proper watering, good drainage, enough sunlight, and protection when severe freezing temperatures arrive.
And don’t forget to enjoy the cooler weather!
After spending several months working outdoors in our intense Southwest heat, those pleasant winter afternoons can be some of the best times to work in the garden.
Learn more about growing zones at NMSU.edu
Happy gardening from Guzman’s Garden Centers in Las Cruces, New Mexico!
By Paul Guzman — With contributing expertise from Gary Guzman, Owner of Guzman’s Garden Centers.
By Gary Guzman
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Paul Guzman is a lifelong Southwest gardener and gardening writer with decades of experience helping homeowners grow beautiful landscapes in the desert Southwest. He writes for Guzman’s Garden Centers in Las Cruces, New Mexico, with contributing expertise from Gary Guzman, owner of Guzman’s Garden Centers. If you have any questions or enjoyed this post, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
