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Plant Guide

Best Plants for Albuquerque, New Mexico

📍 Albuquerque, NM 🌡️ USDA Zone 7a 🌱 347+ compatible plants

Gardening in Albuquerque

Albuquerque falls in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a, which means your plants need to survive winters with minimum temperatures in the 0°F to 10°F range. The 347+ plants below are proven performers for your zone — including deer-resistant varieties, pet-friendly options, and pollinator-attracting species.

Top Plant Picks for Albuquerque

Nandina
Nandina
Nandina domestica
Delicate clusters of white to pink blooms in spring add year-round interest with vibrant red foliage in fall. This deer-resistant shrub thrives in USDA zones 6-9 and requires minimal care.
Zone 6–10🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Abelia
Abelia
Abelia × grandiflora
Delightful pink and white blooms grace this shrub from June to September, adding vibrant color to your garden. Low maintenance, deer resistant, and a magnet for pollinators, it thrives in zones 4-9.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Japanese Forest Grass
Japanese Forest Grass
Hakonechloa macra
Graceful, cascading lime-green blades of Japanese Forest Grass brighten shady spots with a soft, flowing texture all season long. This low-maintenance, shade-tolerant grass thrives in USDA zones 5-9 and resists deer browsing.
Zone 5–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†
Celosia
Celosia
Celosia argentea
Vibrant plumes in pink, red, yellow, orange, and white bloom from June to September, adding bold summer color to any garden. This low-maintenance annual thrives in full sun, attracts pollinators, and is safe for pets (Zones 4-9).
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Eupatorium
Eupatorium
Eupatorium maculatum
Vibrant clusters of pink to purple blooms light up late summer gardens, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. This deer-resistant perennial thrives in USDA zones 4-9 with minimal care.
Zone 4–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Great Blue Lobelia
Great Blue Lobelia
Lobelia siphilitica
Striking spikes of vibrant blue flowers bloom from late summer to fall, adding bold color to any garden. This deer-resistant, moisture-loving perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts pollinators.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
Ceanothus
Ceanothus
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
Vibrant blue blossoms burst in spring on this evergreen shrub, creating a stunning coastal display. Deer resistant and drought tolerant, it thrives in USDA zones 7-10.
Zone 7–10🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Agastache
Agastache
Agastache foeniculum
Vibrant spikes of lavender-purple blooms light up summer gardens with a delightful minty fragrance that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. This drought-tolerant, deer-resistant perennial thrives in USDA zones 5-10, making it a low-maintenance pollinator magnet.
Zone 4–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Rattlesnake Master
Rattlesnake Master
Eryngium yuccifolium
Spiky white blooms with a unique spherical shape dazzle from midsummer to fall, adding striking texture to any garden. This drought-tolerant native thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts pollinators while resisting deer.
Zone 3–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Hyacinth
Hyacinth
Hyacinthus orientalis
Vibrant clusters of fragrant blue, pink, or white blooms burst in early spring, brightening any garden space with their classic charm. Thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts pollinators while requiring minimal care.
Zone 4–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Coreopsis (Tickseed)
Coreopsis (Tickseed)
Coreopsis verticillata
Bright yellow blooms dazzle from early summer to fall, adding cheerful color to any garden. This drought-tolerant, deer-resistant perennial thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and attracts pollinators.
Zone 3–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Bee Balm
Bee Balm
Monarda didyma
Vibrant red blooms light up summer gardens, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies with their rich nectar. This deer-resistant perennial thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and is low maintenance.
Zone 4–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator

Get a Personalized Plant List for Albuquerque

Answer 4 quick questions about your yard — sun, soil, deer pressure, and pet situation — and get a custom list of plants that will thrive in Zone 7a.

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Other Cities in Zone 7a

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Browse All 347+ Plants for Zone 7a

The 12 picks above are a sample. Use the full directory to filter by sun, water, deer resistance, and more.

View All Zone 7 Plants →

† "Pet-friendly" means not listed as toxic by ASPCA for dogs and/or cats. Always supervise pets around plants. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435.