What Flowers are Good To Plant in Arizona in September

September may be the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness but it is a great time with slightly cooler weather to get into the garden and plant some flowers that thrive in Arizona’s climate. Read on to learn more!

Planting the right flowers in Arizona during September, especially in areas like the Phoenix Valley, can set you up for vibrant, long-lasting blooms through the fall and even into spring. Here’s a breakdown of great options to consider:

Best Flowers to Plant in Arizona in September

1. Cool-Season Annuals & Transplants

These flowers thrive as the intense summer heat subsides:

• Snapdragons, Petunias, Geraniums, Gazania, Alyssum, Dianthus, Violas, Lobelia, Marigolds
  These are among the easiest fall flowers to grow in Arizona, with planting windows ranging from mid-September to December depending on the variety. They bloom well into winter and early spring.Growing In The Garden

• Petunias, Geraniums, and Snapdragons are especially recommended for Arizona’s cooler months—Petunias should be planted between September and December, Geraniums from September to late winter, and Snapdragons vary but are often planted in fall.littlejohnslawns.com

2. Fall & Winter Flowers (Nursery Recommendations)

Local Arizona nurseries, like SummerWinds, suggest:

• African Violets, Bacopa, Bougainvillea, Calibrachoa, Dianthus, Gaillardia (Blanketflower), Geraniums, Hibiscus, Impatiens, Jasmine, Lantana, Lavender, Osteospermum, Petunias, Snapdragons
  These are highly available in-store for fall planting and suited to Arizona’s transitional season.Country Living+13SummerWinds Nursery+13SummerWinds Nursery+13

3. Perennials & Pollinator-friendly Varieties

Planting these now gives them time to establish for next year’s blooms:

• Yarrow, Butterfly Milkweed, Catmint, Salvia, Tickseed, Veronica, Wild Bergamot – all drought-tolerant and supportive of pollinators.Growing In The GardenReal Simple

• Blanketflowers (Gaillardia) bloom through fall and are hardy perennials.SummerWinds Nursery+15Gardening Know How+15Desert Gardening 101+15

4. Native & Desert-adapted Plants

These bring resilience, low water needs, and ecological benefits:

• Isocoma tenuisecta – blooms from September through November.Wikipedia+2Gardening Know How+2

• Melampodium (plains blackfoot daisy) – flowers spring to fall, ideal for long-lasting color.Wikipedia

• Glandularia gooddingii, Senna covesii – also offer extended bloom periods into fall.Wikipedia

• Desert Zinnia (Zinnia acerosa) – a native, low-water perennial that blooms long and attracts butterflies.Wikipedia

• Agastache cana (Texas hummingbird mint) – blooms from early summer into late September, draws hummingbirds.SummerWinds Nursery+15Wikipedia+15Country Living+15

Summary Table

Tips for Planting in September

• Timing matters: For annuals like snapdragons, wait until mid-September when heat subsides to avoid heat stress.Growing In The Garden+7Growing In The Garden+7littlejohnslawns.com+7SummerWinds NurseryThe Sun+13Real Simple+13Gardening Know How+13Wikipedia+2SummerWinds Nursery+2

• Local availability: Check with Arizona nurseries—they often stock Petunias, Geraniums, Snapdragons, Lantana, and more in early fall.SummerWinds Nursery

• Perennials & natives: Plant now to give roots a head start over winter—blooms will follow next spring.