Many newcomers to the desert of Tucson and Green Valley may assume since native plants survive in the natural desert with so little water they can forego irrigation to their new native landscape plants. This assumption is incorrect, and may lead to plant stress or complete loss.
So why is there a difference between natives growing in the desert and natives growing in your yard? There are a number of reasons. Firstly, native plants in their natural habitat are growing there for a reason. The soil, amount of sunlight (or not), rainfall, and temperature conditions are just right or they would not be there. Once a native plant is grown under nursery conditions and planted in your yard, you are trying to force these plants to grow in a place they would not normally have chosen had they sprouted up from seed in the desert.
The most limiting factor for plant survival is water. Native plants planted in a landscape situation need water. Period. As to how much, it depends on whether it is a cactus, succulent, or native tree or shrub. Although cactus and succulents need little water, they do need to be watered after planting. For cactus, that is after two weeks, for succulents, wait a few days. All other plants need water at planting time. Continue to water every day for a week, every other day for a week, and every two days for another week until you are on a schedule of about once a week in hot months, and twice a month during the winter. Can you ever stop watering natives? In some cases, maybe. In most cases, no. Especially if you want them to look good.
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