Choose fast growing plants that can quickly develop an extensive root system to allow them to obtain moisture widely and deeply throughout the soil, and keeping their roots below the top, hottest layers. After two or three years of deep watering, the plant will have such an extensive root system that you can forget to water it for a month, or go on vacation, and it will not die on you.

For desert climates, in valleys, select plants that accept pH 7.5-8.5 (alkaline) soil. In desert mountains, select plants that accept pH 6.5-7.5 (neutral) soil. Acid-loving plants will require heavy soil modification and/or a large container, and periodic soil maintenance to survive. Water supplies in the desert are also slightly alkaline, putting further stress on acid-loving plants.

Choose desert-compatible plants that desperately hungry wild critters dislike. These drought resistant plants are less tasty to wildlife and often grow back quickly when nibbled.

For fruit plants, choose varieties that need 300 winter chill hours or less. Chill hours are those hours in winter below 45°F and above freezing. Some food crop trees, such as Pistachio, will not produce a crop in hot desert climates because of insufficient winter chill hours.