Phoenix Rio Salado Approved Plants
Phoenix Rio Salado Approved Plants
Every plant below works within Phoenix’s Rio Salado overlay standards — drought-tolerant, Sonoran-native, and riparian-compatible for lots along the Salt River corridor. All available from Three Timbers with free delivery across the Phoenix Valley.
on orders $200+ in the Phoenix Valley
trees, shrubs & flowering plants
we handle the HOA submittal too
Call or text 612-214-1955
If you’re landscaping along Phoenix’s Rio Salado corridor, start here.
The City of Phoenix maintains a Rio Salado Approved Plant List for the overlay area along the Salt River (zips 85040, 85041, 85042, 85043). The list emphasizes Sonoran Desert natives and riparian-compatible species that reinforce the Rio Salado restoration. We pulled the City’s plant palette and matched it to our in-stock catalog so you can shop without second-guessing compliance.
Every plant below is clickable with current pricing. Free delivery across the Phoenix Valley on orders over $200.
About This Plant List
| Overlay area | Phoenix Rio Salado overlay — Salt River corridor, central/south Phoenix |
| Zip codes | 85040, 85041, 85042, 85043 |
| Jurisdiction | City of Phoenix Planning & Development |
| Source document | Phoenix Rio Salado Approved Plant List (revised 11-16-22), City of Phoenix Planning & Development. Cross-referenced with the ADWR Phoenix AMA Low Water Use Plant List for riparian-zone species. |
| Landscape theme | Sonoran Desert natives, riparian/mesic-tolerant species, low-water trees, screening shrubs, and architectural accents suited to the Salt River corridor. |
| Three Timbers carries | Species below — all cross-matched to our in-stock catalog with current pricing. |
The overlay favors native and riparian species that reinforce the Salt River restoration. Avoid high-water lawns, invasive species, and anything flagged on the City’s prohibited list (tamarisk, giant reed, fountain grass). All plants below are overlay-compatible.
Jump to a Plant Category
- Approved Trees — 17 plants
- Approved Shrubs — 17 plants
- Approved Cacti, Agaves & Architectural Accents — 16 plants
- Approved Groundcovers & Perennials — 9 plants
- Approved Vines & Ornamental Grasses — 5 plants
- Planting & watering guide
- Want it installed for you?
Trees (17 approved)
Three Timbers picks — best of trees
All approved trees (17 species)
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Starting Price | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fremont Cottonwood | Populus fremontii | From $74.10 | Shop → |
| Blue Palo Verde | Parkinsonia florida | From $28.16 | Shop → |
| Foothill Palo Verde | Parkinsonia microphylla | From $28.16 | Shop → |
| Velvet Mesquite | Prosopis velutina | From $28.16 | Shop → |
| Honey Mesquite | Prosopis glandulosa | From $28.16 | Shop → |
| Screwbean Mesquite | Prosopis pubescens | From $86.24 | Shop → |
| Ironwood | Olneya tesota | From $31.68 | Shop → |
| Sweet Acacia | Acacia farnesiana | From $28.16 | Shop → |
| Catclaw Acacia | Acacia greggii | From $8.98 | Shop → |
| Desert Willow | Chilopsis linearis | From $28.16 | Shop → |
| Netleaf Hackberry | Celtis reticulata | From $28.16 | Shop → |
| Desert Hackberry | Celtis pallida | From $28.16 | Shop → |
| Arizona Ash | Fraxinus velutina | From $28.16 | Shop → |
| Arizona Sycamore | Platanus wrightii | From $83.60 | Shop → |
| Palo Brea | Parkinsonia praecox | From $28.16 | Shop → |
| Texas Ebony | Ebenopsis ebano | From $31.68 | Shop → |
| Texas Mountain Laurel | Sophora secundiflora | From $31.68 | Shop → |
Shrubs (17 approved)
Three Timbers picks — best of shrubs
All approved shrubs (17 species)
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Starting Price | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brittlebush | Encelia farinosa | From $5.54 | Shop → |
| Fairy Duster | Calliandra eriophylla | From $7.48 | Shop → |
| Baja Fairy Duster | Calliandra californica | From $7.48 | Shop → |
| Creosote | Larrea tridentata | From $10.56 | Shop → |
| Chuparosa | Justicia californica | From $5.98 | Shop → |
| Jojoba | Simmondsia chinensis | From $7.57 | Shop → |
| Hopbush | Dodonaea viscosa | From $5.54 | Shop → |
| Little-leaf Cordia | Cordia parvifolia | From $7.48 | Shop → |
| Feathery Senna | Senna artemisioides | From $6.16 | Shop → |
| Shrubby Senna | Senna wislizeni | From $6.16 | Shop → |
| Texas Ranger | Leucophyllum frutescens | From $6.34 | Shop → |
| Compact Texas Sage | Leucophyllum langmaniae | From $6.34 | Shop → |
| Red Bird of Paradise | Caesalpinia pulcherrima | From $6.25 | Shop → |
| Yellow Bird of Paradise | Caesalpinia gilliesii | From $6.78 | Shop → |
| Arizona Yellow Bells | Tecoma stans | From $6.95 | Shop → |
| Mexican Honeysuckle | Justicia spicigera | From $6.60 | Shop → |
| Autumn Sage | Salvia greggii | From $5.54 | Shop → |
Cacti, Agaves & Architectural Accents (16 approved)
Three Timbers picks — best of cacti, agaves & architectural accents
All approved cacti, agaves & architectural accents (16 species)
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Starting Price | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saguaro | Carnegiea gigantea | — | Shop → |
| Ocotillo | Fouquieria splendens | From $56.32 | Shop → |
| Fishhook Barrel | Ferocactus wislizeni | From $13.20 | Shop → |
| Golden Barrel Cactus | Echinocactus grusonii | From $13.20 | Shop → |
| Hedgehog Cactus | Echinocereus engelmannii | From $10.56 | Shop → |
| Beavertail Prickly Pear | Opuntia basilaris | From $8.80 | Shop → |
| Engelmann Prickly Pear | Opuntia engelmannii | From $8.80 | Shop → |
| Purple Prickly Pear | Opuntia santa-rita | From $8.80 | Shop → |
| Desert Spoon | Dasylirion wheeleri | From $8.18 | Shop → |
| Agave Americana | Agave americana | From $9.68 | Shop → |
| Parry's Agave | Agave parryi | From $9.24 | Shop → |
| Red Yucca | Hesperaloe parviflora | From $7.66 | Shop → |
| Banana Yucca | Yucca baccata | From $11.09 | Shop → |
| Soaptree Yucca | Yucca elata | From $11.09 | Shop → |
| Beargrass | Nolina microcarpa | From $9.15 | Shop → |
| Aloe Vera | Aloe barbadensis | From $8.80 | Shop → |
Groundcovers & Perennials (9 approved)
Three Timbers picks — best of groundcovers & perennials
All approved groundcovers & perennials (9 species)
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Starting Price | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trailing Smoke Bush | Dalea greggii | From $7.48 | Shop → |
| Globe Mallow | Sphaeralcea ambigua | From $6.60 | Shop → |
| Desert Marigold | Baileya multiradiata | From $7.13 | Shop → |
| Blackfoot Daisy | Melampodium leucanthum | From $6.60 | Shop → |
| Angelita Daisy | Tetraneuris acaulis | From $6.60 | Shop → |
| Mexican Primrose | Oenothera berlandieri | From $6.60 | Shop → |
| Trailing Lantana | Lantana montevidensis | From $5.19 | Shop → |
| Penstemon | Penstemon parryi | From $6.16 | Shop → |
| Firecracker Penstemon | Penstemon eatonii | From $6.16 | Shop → |
Vines & Ornamental Grasses (5 approved)
Three Timbers picks — best of vines & ornamental grasses
All approved vines & ornamental grasses (5 species)
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Starting Price | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer Grass | Muhlenbergia rigens | From $6.16 | Shop → |
| Bull Grass | Muhlenbergia emersleyi | From $7.13 | Shop → |
| Pink Muhly | Muhlenbergia capillaris | From $6.16 | Shop → |
| Queen's Wreath | Antigonon leptopus | From $9.68 | Shop → |
| Lady Banks Rose | Rosa banksiae | From $9.68 | Shop → |
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
Does the Rio Salado overlay require pre-approval for plants?
Residential landscaping within the overlay generally follows the approved plant palette without individual plant pre-approval, but new commercial or multi-family developments may need Planning & Development sign-off. When in doubt, call City of Phoenix Planning at 602-262-7131.
Can I plant turf grass in the Rio Salado area?
Turf is heavily discouraged. The overlay promotes xeriscape with Sonoran natives. If you want some lawn, keep it minimal and consider warm-season drought-tolerant varieties.
How fast can you deliver to 85040 / 85041 / 85042 / 85043?
Same-day or next-day for orders received before 1pm. Free delivery on orders $200+ across the Phoenix Valley including South Phoenix.
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 landscape installed for you?
We’re the only Phoenix Valley online nursery with our own install crew
Three Timbers handles design, plant selection from the Rio Salado-approved palette, delivery, and installation — all in one workflow. Same-day quotes. 30-day plant warranty on every install.
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 HOA's approved plant palette. Browse the full master HOA plant guide to compare across all Phoenix Valley communities, or call 612-214-1955 for a same-day quote.
