If you’re landscaping in Mesa, this is the only plant list you need.

The City of Mesa requires new landscape plans to use plants from the Phoenix Active Management Area Low-Water-Use / Drought-Tolerant Plant List (adopted by reference), supplemented by AMWUA's Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert. Mesa does not publish its own standalone matrix; this page combines both reference lists. 133 of Mesa's approved species are carried by Three Timbers — organized below using the same growth-form categories city zoning reviewers use.

Every plant below is clickable with current pricing. Free delivery across the Phoenix Valley on orders over $200.

About Mesa’s Approved Plant List

Jump to a Plant Category

• Approved Trees — 29 plants
• Approved Shrubs — 50 plants
• Approved Cacti, Agaves & Architectural Accents — 18 plants
• Approved Groundcovers & Perennials — 23 plants
• Approved Vines & Ornamental Grasses — 13 plants
• Planting & watering guide
• Want it installed for you?

Trees (29 approved)

Three Timbers picks — best of trees

All city-approved trees (29 species)

Shrubs (50 approved)

Three Timbers picks — best of shrubs

All city-approved shrubs (50 species)

Cacti, Agaves & Architectural Accents (18 approved)

Three Timbers picks — best of cacti, agaves & architectural accents

All city-approved cacti, agaves & architectural accents (18 species)

Groundcovers & Perennials (23 approved)

Three Timbers picks — best of groundcovers & perennials

All city-approved groundcovers & perennials (23 species)

Vines & Ornamental Grasses (13 approved)

Three Timbers picks — best of vines & ornamental grasses

All city-approved vines & ornamental grasses (13 species)

Planting & Watering Guide for the Phoenix Valley

Best time to plant

• Trees & shrubs: October through March. Avoid June, July, August.
• Cacti, agaves & ocotillo: April through October. They need warm soil to root in.
• Groundcovers & perennials: Spring (Feb–April) or fall (Sep–Nov).

Watering schedule

• Year 1, summer: Every 3–4 days, deep soak.
• Year 1, winter: Every 10–14 days, light watering.
• After year 1, established: Every 10–14 days in summer, every 3–4 weeks in winter. Cacti, agaves, ocotillo need far less.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all these plants approved everywhere in Mesa?

These are the species permitted under Mesa’s current landscape code. Specific overlay zones, HOA sub-rules, or right-of-way/median contexts may add restrictions. Always check with your Mesa zoning reviewer or submit your landscape plan for review before installing.

Does Three Timbers handle the city zoning submittal?

Yes — if you use our professional install service, we handle the city landscape-plan paperwork, plant list, and submittal for you.

How fast can you deliver to Mesa?

Same-day or next-day for orders received before 1pm. Free delivery on orders $200+ across the Phoenix Valley.

What’s included in the 30-day warranty?

Every tree, shrub, and flowering plant comes with a 30-day replacement guarantee. Cacti, agaves, aloes, ocotillo, and similar slow-growing succulents are warranted only at time of delivery.

Want your Mesa landscape installed for you?

Why Phoenix Valley homeowners choose Three Timbers

Three Timbers is the Phoenix Valley’s only online nursery with our own delivery and install crew. We carry 820+ desert-adapted species, cross-referenced to every major city and HOA approved plant palette — including Mesa’s. Browse the full master plant guide to compare across all Phoenix Valley cities and communities, or call 612-214-1955 for a same-day quote.