Trixie’s Cactus Garden is a distinctive botanical feature of the Trixie Motel in Palm Springs, California. This vibrant garden contributes to the motel’s unique aesthetic, offering visitors a glimpse into a thoughtfully designed desert landscape. It showcases how desert flora can be integrated into a themed environment, creating a visually engaging space.
The Story Behind Trixie’s
The Trixie Motel, with its integrated cactus garden, is the vision of drag superstar Trixie Mattel. This endeavor transformed a vintage Palm Springs motel, formerly the Coral Sands, into a “pink palace” reflecting Trixie Mattel’s signature style. The renovation was chronicled in the Discovery+ series, “Trixie Motel,” aiming to infuse a midcentury modern design with bold colors and playful elements.
Designer Dani Dazey played a significant role in shaping the motel’s visual identity, including the desert landscape. This reimagining blended Palm Springs’ natural beauty with a distinctive, whimsical design. The garden extends this artistic vision, enhancing the motel’s overall character.
Discovering the Diverse Collections
The cactus garden at Trixie Motel is an integral part of its playful, retro desert aesthetic. It features a variety of drought-tolerant plants common in the Palm Springs region. Desert gardens in Palm Springs often showcase diverse cacti and succulents, such as Opuntia (prickly pear) species, columnar cacti like saguaros (Carnegiea gigantea), or different types of agaves. These plants thrive in the arid climate, requiring minimal water and intense sun.
The garden’s design incorporates bold accents, with plants chosen for their striking forms and textures. Their arrangement complements the motel’s iconic pink exterior, creating a harmonious blend of natural elements and vibrant design. This curated collection highlights the beauty of desert flora, enhancing the motel’s unique atmosphere and serving as a visual draw.
Essential Visitor Information
Trixie’s Cactus Garden is located at the Trixie Motel, 210 W Stevens Road, Palm Springs, California. The garden is primarily a feature for motel guests, but aspects are visible to the public. Non-guests can drive by to view its distinctive pink wall and the surrounding garden from the exterior. The Trixie Motel also operates a gift shop and a bar, accessible to the public.
The motel’s general check-in time is 4:00 PM, with check-out by 11:00 AM. There are no specific operating hours or admission fees for the garden itself, and pool access is reserved exclusively for motel guests. For inquiries about public access to the gift shop or bar, contact the motel directly at (760) 808-0014 or [email protected].
Maximizing Your Visit
To maximize your visit, consider the time of day and year. Palm Springs experiences hot desert summers, so visiting during the cooler months (October to May) provides a more comfortable experience. Early mornings or late afternoons are preferable for viewing, offering softer light for photography and more pleasant temperatures. Sun protection like hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen is important.
While the garden is best appreciated by staying at the motel, non-guests can drive past to observe its unique design. The motel’s gift shop offers an opportunity to experience the property’s distinctive style and purchase merchandise. Making a reservation at the motel’s bar allows for a leisurely visit, though garden access may be limited to what is visible from public areas.