25 Spectacular Desert Garden Design Ideas

spectacular desert garden decor ideas

If you live in the desert, how do you design a garden that feels welcoming instead of prickly and dry? Well, take the advantage from everything you can: dramatic plants, large rocks, bold colors and other stuff you may see in the desert and add a fountain as an oasis. The ideas that we’ve gathered will inspire you and will make your desert garden wow!

Cactus Love

Entry walls or a front garden fence are a natural backdrop for large and dramatic plants that will make the base of your garden. What can be more dramatic than large cacti? Try various shapes and sizes to create an unforgettable space, and you’ll easily get it!

There's nothing as cool and as spectacular as large and bold cacti like here, add agaves for a more spectacular look.

There's nothing as cool and as spectacular as large and bold cacti like here, add agaves for a more spectacular look.

Cacti are super natural for a desert garden and such tall post cacti will easily substitute any trees.

Cacti are super natural for a desert garden and such tall post cacti will easily substitute any trees.

Large cacti can be combined with smaller ones, just choose different types and different looks.

Large cacti can be combined with smaller ones, just choose different types and different looks.

Cacti can be smaller, too, if you want, if you have trees and shrubs around.

Cacti can be smaller, too, if you want, if you have trees and shrubs around.

If you take good care of the cacti, they will bloom and you'll get even cooler garden decor.

If you take good care of the cacti, they will bloom and you'll get even cooler garden decor.

Combine cacti with smaller ones and succulents to create a catchier and bolder look.

Combine cacti with smaller ones and succulents to create a catchier and bolder look.

Large post cacti and some smaller ones plus pale succulents for a bold contemporary look.

Large post cacti and some smaller ones plus pale succulents for a bold contemporary look.

Gorgeous post cacti and smaller round cacti plus rocks for an ultimate desert garden look.

Gorgeous post cacti and smaller round cacti plus rocks for an ultimate desert garden look.

Sculptural Rocks

Rocks are an indispensable part of a desert and including some large and spectacular rocks into your desert garden is a very cool idea. You may go for rock steps, for large rock benches and just rocks incorporated into the landscape here and there.

Rough rock steps with succulents and other plants growing in between for a cool look.

Rough rock steps with succulents and other plants growing in between for a cool look.

Wild-looking desert garden with various kinds of cacti and succulents plus large rocks.

Wild-looking desert garden with various kinds of cacti and succulents plus large rocks.

Large and bold rocks with pale and neutral succulents make up a cool and catchy desert garden.

Large and bold rocks with pale and neutral succulents make up a cool and catchy desert garden.

Layered Plantings

Create a layered look with succulents and cacti, mix up various agaves and other plants filling up each inch of your garden at each level, otherwise the garden will look a bit empty. Rock various shades or go for the same ones but play with shapes and sizes – it’s up to you and the landscape you want to create.

A gorgeous desert garden with layered plantings - cacti, succulents, agaves and even driftwood and pebbles for decor.

A gorgeous desert garden with layered plantings - cacti, succulents, agaves and even driftwood and pebbles for decor.

A large post cactusis combined with large round succulents and agaves around.

A large post cactusis combined with large round succulents and agaves around.

Smaller and larger succulents of various shades and looks combined to create a cohesive look.

Smaller and larger succulents of various shades and looks combined to create a cohesive look.

Cacti layered with large agaves and succulents plus some small trees for a wild desert-inspired look.

Cacti layered with large agaves and succulents plus some small trees for a wild desert-inspired look.

Bold and chic succulents combined with agaves in various shades of green and yellow.

Bold and chic succulents combined with agaves in various shades of green and yellow.

A bright layered desert garden in various shades of green and purple plus touches of red.

A bright layered desert garden in various shades of green and purple plus touches of red.

Water Fountains

A fountain is always an oasis that brings relaxation and relieves tension but especially in a desert garden, which reminds of dry lands all the time. Go for a natural-looking fountain of rocks or bowls and you’ll make your desert garden very calming and welcoming.

A gorgeous rock fountain looks very natural and cool in a desert garden.

A gorgeous rock fountain looks very natural and cool in a desert garden.

A bowl fountain of stone looks pretty natural and doesn't stand too much in your desert garden.

A bowl fountain of stone looks pretty natural and doesn't stand too much in your desert garden.

A basalt fountain is a cool idea for a desert garden, it looks very natural and refreshing.

A basalt fountain is a cool idea for a desert garden, it looks very natural and refreshing.

Rock gardens are ideal for any garden, they are very natural and that water sound is relaxing.

Rock gardens are ideal for any garden, they are very natural and that water sound is relaxing.

Striking Plants

Statement plants – succulents, agaves, cacti – are amazing to make your garden catchy.  You may play with shapes, sizes, colors and patterns on the plants, go for a super tall post cactus or a super bright agave, or try a catchy succulent –  it’s up to you and your space. Get inspired and create your own desert masterpiece!

A gorgeous statement agave in grene and yellow will be a nice statement piece for your garden.

A gorgeous statement agave in grene and yellow will be a nice statement piece for your garden.

Post cacti like these ones are very tall and catchy, they will make a bold statement in your garden.

Post cacti like these ones are very tall and catchy, they will make a bold statement in your garden.

Bold purple cacti with blooms is a chic idea to add color to your desert garden.

Bold purple cacti with blooms is a chic idea to add color to your desert garden.

Bright yellow and green succulents, cacti and agaves are amazing to add a colorful touch.

Bright yellow and green succulents, cacti and agaves are amazing to add a colorful touch.