Why use Mojave Desert Natives?
What a Beauty!
Not only do cacti and yuccas have wonderfully sculptural forms, they also possess some of the largest, most beautiful flowers. These flowers bloom every year and come in a range of vivid colors, from bright magenta to chartreuse. Check out our photos we've taken of cacti and yuccas right here in the Las Vegas valley.
Patio Plants
Even if all you have is a patio and some sun, many native cacti that will thrive in pots.
Unique Showcase Plants
Mojave Desert plants, particularly those native around Las Vegas, are hard to find in the landscape trade. In a town where the landscape palette can be limited, these plants are unusual and interesting additions to any yard. They are also a conversation starter that comes with its own story!
Larger Specimens
Any sizable native cacti or yucca that you do find in the trade is most likely salvaged - dug up from wild populations. This is because these cacti and yuccas can be quite old, and some, if grown from seed in a nursery, won't reach maturity in the lifetime of a landscape. The Cottontop Barrel Cactus is particularly slow-growing, and large specimens can be well over two hundred years old!
Patio Plants
Even if all you have is a patio and some sun, many native cacti that will thrive in pots.
Unique Showcase Plants
Mojave Desert plants, particularly those native around Las Vegas, are hard to find in the landscape trade. In a town where the landscape palette can be limited, these plants are unusual and interesting additions to any yard. They are also a conversation starter that comes with its own story!
Larger Specimens
Any sizable native cacti or yucca that you do find in the trade is most likely salvaged - dug up from wild populations. This is because these cacti and yuccas can be quite old, and some, if grown from seed in a nursery, won't reach maturity in the lifetime of a landscape. The Cottontop Barrel Cactus is particularly slow-growing, and large specimens can be well over two hundred years old!
Development
Even with the economic downturn, Las Vegas land is still continuously being developed on the outskirts of town. Development usually means bulldozing any residing plant life.
Desert Dwellers
All cacti and yuccas on this website are native to the Las Vegas area. Consequently, they will prosper in typical valley hot or cold temperatures (115 F in summers and down into the 30s in the winter), and some will tolerate an even wider range. These plants grow naturally in the low fertility of our desert soil and live under perpetual drought and harsh sun. What this means is that if you live in Las Vegas or a similar desert, there is no need to amend soil and irrigation is minimal.
In addition, landscaping with natives helps give the valley a sense of place - it roots us in our heritage.
In addition, landscaping with natives helps give the valley a sense of place - it roots us in our heritage.
Cactus and Yucca Poaching
Yes, cactus and yucca poaching exists, and many plants are dug up unethically from natural areas not slated for development, sometimes even within National Parks! Many people don't know that it is ILLEGAL to dig up cacti and yuccas from the wild without obtaining proper permits from the Nevada Division of Forestry along with the landowner's permission. If you do purchase a salvaged native, please make sure there is a yellow tag attached - this tag means that the plant was legally harvested.
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