Aim Desert herbs, a crucial component of desert ecosystems , are sensitive to water and nutrient availability and therefore to environmental change. We aimed to determine element concentrations in desert herbs and their relationships with life form, taxonomy, climate, and soil environment. Methods We measured concentrations of 11 elements in shoots and roots of 26 dominant desert herb species from 45 sites in a temperate desert. Results Shoots of desert herbs had greater concentrations of elements related to photosynthesis and water use efficiency (N, P, Mg, K) than roots. Concentrations of these elements (except N and P) were also greater in annual herbs than in perennial herbs. Greater Mg, K, and Na concentrations were observed in shoots of Chenopodiaceae (mostly C 4 species) than in Poaceae (mostly C 3 species). Soil properties and taxonomy explained 3.6–26 % and 2.8–24 % of the variation in shoot element concentrations, respectively, whereas climate factors explained only 0.05–6.5 % of the variation. Conclusions Water and nutrient availability, which are affected by environmental change, influence concentrations of mineral elements in desert plants and their biogeochemical cycles in desert ecosystems.