United States regional guide · NM
Permaculture in New Mexico
New Mexico’s high deserts, mountain ranges, mesas, and river valleys produce intense sun and large temperature swings. Elevation, scarce water, alkaline soils, and monsoon runoff guide plant choice and placement.
USDA span
4b–9b
Census region
West
Climate starting point
USDA hardiness zones in New Mexico
New Mexico includes USDA zones 4b–9b. Hardiness zones describe typical annual extreme minimum temperatures; within-state elevation, wind, water, soil, and urban heat can change what succeeds on a particular site.
Regional plant starting points
Plants to explore for a New Mexico design
These plants are useful starting points for researching a design in New Mexico. Confirm each choice against your exact zone, site conditions, local ecology, and management goals.
Honey Mesquite
Neltuma glandulosa
- Layer
- Sub-Canopy
- Type
- Deciduous Tree
Prickly Pear Tuna
Opuntia engelmannii
- Layer
- Shrub
- Type
- Perennial
Yucca Soap
Yucca glauca
- Layer
- Shrub
- Type
- Perennial
Arizona Walnut
Juglans major
- Layer
- Canopy
- Type
- Deciduous Tree
Pinyon Pine
Pinus edulis
- Layer
- Canopy
- Type
- Evergreen Tree
Jujube
Ziziphus jujuba
- Layer
- Canopy
- Type
- Deciduous Tree