About Desert Plants

Located in Palm Desert and just 15 minutes from Palm Springs, The Living Desert's mission is desert conservation through preservation, education and appreciation. Click here to become a member. Campers learn about plants and animals, the environment (including our own desert) and what it's like to work at a zoo Quarters for Conservation. Choose a Conservation Project and help protect wild animals and plants around the planet! You can become an important part of The Living Desert's conservation efforts through our Adopt! Program.

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The defining precipitation rate for desert is ten inches. Much of the Colorado Desert of southeastern California averages less than four inches of rain in a year.

Plants must find ways to cope with the same daunting conditions that animals face in trying to survive in a desert environment - searing temperatures, desiccating winds, and most important of all - scarcity of life's elixir - water. The challenge is even greater for plants as they are literally rooted to the ground and unable to move in search of more favorable locations when times get tough. Whether it's scorching summer days, freezing winter nights, foraging herbivores or months or even years of rainless drought, desert plants have adapted multiple strategies for existing and even thriving in an arid land.