Arizona Bulb Planting Guide: Low Desert Flowering Bulbs
“Arizona Bulb Planting Guide: A Visual Guide for Low-Desert Bulbs” is designed to help gardeners choose and grow bulbs successfully in the low desert of Arizona. Timing is key when planting bulbs in the desert.
Use this Arizona Bulb Planting Guide to learn when to plant, whether to chill bulbs beforehand, and how to give each type the best chance of thriving. While some bulbs can naturalize and return each year, others are best grown as annuals in this climate.
Flowering bulbs bring seasonal beauty, structure, and color to gardens and containers. Whether you’re planting spring-blooming daffodils and freesia or summer standouts like calla lilies and cannas, bulbs can offer dependable blooms year after year—or a stunning one-season show in the low desert’s unique climate.
For detailed tips on timing, soil preparation, and caring for bulbs in our climate, visit the Arizona Bulb Growing Guide: How to Grow Bulbs in the Low Desert. And if you want to enjoy flowering bulbs on your patio or in small spaces, check out this guide to growing bulbs in containers in hot climates.
The low desert includes elevations below 3,500 ft in the Southwest, such as the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas.
Click on a bulb name to go directly to that bulb in the Arizona Bulb Planting Guide
A Note About “Bulbs”
Although this is called a bulb planting guide, it includes a variety of underground plant structures, not just true bulbs. These include:
- True bulbs (like tulips and daffodils)
- Corms (like ranunculus and freesia)
- Rhizomes (like iris and canna lilies)
- Tubers (like dahlias)
While technically different, they’re all planted and cared for in similar ways in the low desert, so they’re grouped together here for simplicity.
Allium
When to plant Allium in Arizona:
Plant bulbs outside: October – November
How to grow Allium:
- Grows best from bulb
- Days from seed to bloom: 120 -150 days
- Months in bloom: March – May
- Good to know: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Allow foliage to die back naturally to feed the bulb. Great for pollinators and striking in garden borders.
Amaryllis
When to plant Amaryllis in Arizona:
Plant bulbs outside: March and October – November
How to grow Amaryllis:
- Grows best from bulbs
- Days from seed to bloom: 40 – 70
- Months in bloom: November – March
- Good to know: Tender perennial. Often grown indoors in pots. Needs bright, indirect light. After blooming, allow leaves to grow and feed the bulb for next season. Can be stored dormant and rebloomed yearly.
Anemone
When to plant Anemone in Arizona:
Plant corms outside: October – November
How to grow Anemone:
- Grows best from corms – soak corms for 2-3 hours before planting
- Days from seed to bloom: 80 – 100
- Months in bloom: February – April
- Good to know: Cool-season bloomer. Prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Great for cut flowers. Plant successively every few weeks for extended blooms. Dies back in summer heat but corms can be dug up and stored or left to attempt to naturalize.
Read this article for more information about how to grow anemones.
Calla Lily
When to plant Calla Lily in Arizona:
Plant rhizomes outside: October – November
How to grow Calla Lily:
- Grows best from rhizomes
- Days from seed to bloom: 60 – 90
- Months in bloom: May – July
- Good to know: Tender perennial. Prefers partial shade in hot climates and moist, well-drained soil. Can be grown in containers.
Canna
When to plant Canna:
Plant rhizomes outside: March
How to grow Canna:
- Grows best from rhizomes
- Days from seed to bloom: 90 – 100
- Months in bloom: May – October
- Good to know: Warm-season perennial. Thrives in full sun and rich, moist soil. Great for tropical-looking gardens. Can be grown in containers. Cut back after frost; rhizomes may overwinter in mild areas.
Dahlia
When to plant Dahlia:
Plant tubers outside: February – April
How to grow Dahlia:
- Grows best from tubers
- Days from seed to bloom: 90 – 100
- Months in bloom: July – October
- Good to know: Warm-season perennial grown as an annual in many areas. Thrives in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Excellent for cut flowers and garden borders. Lift and store tubers after frost in colder climates.
Daffodil
When to plant Daffodil in Arizona:
Plant bulbs: October – November
How to grow Daffodil:
- Grows best from bulbs
- Days from seed to bloom: 90 – 120
- Months in bloom: February – April
- Good to know: Cool-season perennial. Prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Allow foliage to die back naturally to feed bulbs for next year. Deer and rodent-resistant. May naturalize.
Freesia
When to plant Freesia in Arizona:
Plant bulbs outside: October – November
How to grow Freesia:
- Grows best from bulbs
- Days from seed to bloom: 100 – 120
- Good to know: Fragrant. Prefers full morning sun and afternoon shade. Needs cool nights to thrive. Can be grown indoors. Toxic to pets if ingested. Excellent for cut flowers.
Gladiolus
When to plant Gladiolus in Arizona:
Plant corms outside: November – January
How to grow Gladiolus:
- Grows best from corms
- Days from seed to bloom: 70 – 100
- Good to know: Water deeply but infrequently. Can struggle in extreme summer heat—plant early to avoid peak temps.
Grape Hyacinth
When to plant Grape Hyacinth in Arizona:
Plant bulbs outside: October
How to grow Grape Hyacinth:
- Grows best from bulbs
- Days from seed to bloom: 90 – 120
- Months in bloom: February – March
- Good to know: Requires winter chill—chill bulbs in fridge for 6–8 weeks before planting if needed.
Hyacinth
When to plant Hyacinth in Arizona:
Plant bulbs outside: January – February
How to grow Hyacinth:
- Grows best from bulbs
- Days from seed to bloom: 90 – 110
- Months in bloom: February – March
- Good to know: Treat as annual in warm climates like the low desert. Prefers full sun to part shade. Very fragrant. Great in containers. May irritate skin—wear gloves when handling bulbs.
Iris
When to plant Iris in Arizona:
Plant rhizomes outside: October – November
How to grow Iris:
- Grows best from rhizomes
- Days from seed to bloom: 150 – 200
- Months in bloom: March – April
- Good to know: Water deeply but infrequently once established. Allow rhizomes to be partially exposed—don’t bury deeply. Divide clumps every 3–4 years for best flowering. Drought-tolerant.
Rain Lily
When to plant Rain Lilies in Arizona:
Plant bulbs outside: March – June
How to grow Rain Lilies:
- Grows best from bulbs
- Days from seed to bloom: 60 – 90
- Months in bloom: July – September
- Good to know: Blooms after rain. Prefers full sun to light shade. Tolerates heat and drought. Great in borders or containers. Dormant in dry spells. Toxic if ingested. Low-maintenance.
Ranunculus
When to plant Ranunculus in Arizona:
Plant corms outside: October – November and February – March
How to grow Ranunculus:
- Grows best from corms – (Presprout corms if planting in February – March)
- Days from planting to bloom: 90-120
- Months in bloom: February – May
- Good to know: Plant the corms 6” apart and 2” deep with the claw side down. Excellent cut flower. Typically flowers for 4 to 6 weeks.
Read this article for more information about how to grow ranunculus.
Saffron Crocus
When to plant Saffron Crocus in Arizona:
Plant corms outside: September 15 – October
How to grow Saffron Crocus:
- Grows best from corms
- Days from seed to bloom: 40 – 60
- Months in bloom: October – November
- Good to know: Harvest saffron threads from flowers within 1–2 days of opening. Requires full sun and well-drained soil. Very drought-tolerant. Goes dormant in summer. Plant 3–4 inches deep.
Read this article for more information on how to grow saffron crocus.
Tulip
When to plant Tulips in Arizona:
Plant bulbs outside: November – December
How to grow Tulips:
- Grows best from bulbs
- Days from seed to bloom: 90 – 110
- Months in bloom: February – March
- Good to know: Plant in full sun. Treat as annuals in warm climates. Great in containers or beds. Allow foliage to die back naturally. Toxic if ingested.
Read this article for more information on how to grow tulips.
Helpful resources for growing flowering bulbs in the low desert:
Want to give your bulbs the best chance to bloom in the desert? These resources offer helpful guidance for successful planting, care, and planning:
- Flower Gardening Basics
Ideal for beginners. This article includes information on soil preparation, light requirements, and watering, all essential for bulb success. - Low Desert Flower Planting Guide
Use the Arizona Bulb Planting Guide in conjunction to time companion plantings and understand what other plants grow well seasonally. - 10 Cool-Season Flowers That Love Mild Winters
Many spring-blooming bulbs are planted in fall. This guide offers complementary cool-season ideas. - Order Bulbs for Fall Planting
A must-read before ordering! Includes recommended bulb types and instructions on when and how to order in the desert. - Perpetual Flower Planting Calendar
This resource can help with timing, especially for bulbs planted annually. - Flower Planting Guide
A great complement to the Arizona Bulb Planting Guide, especially for spacing and growing tips for mixed beds.
Explore More Planting Guides for the Low Desert
Looking for more help planning your Arizona garden? These visual guides are designed specifically for low desert gardeners:
- Arizona Annual Flowers Planting Guide – Learn when and how to plant colorful blooms that thrive in our unique climate.
- Arizona Fruit Planting Guide – A visual guide to help you grow everything from citrus to berries.
- Arizona Herb Planting Guide – Discover how to grow flavor-packed herbs year-round.
- Arizona Vine Planting Guide – Add vertical interest and shade with flowering and edible vines.
- Arizona Vegetable Planting Guide – Find the best planting times and tips for nearly 75 vegetables.
Each guide includes detailed planting tips, spacing information, and seasonal advice tailored for growing in Arizona’s low desert.
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