14 Drought-Tolerant Plants Perfect for Dry Gardens

This post may contain affiliate links.

As climate change continues to impact weather patterns, drought conditions are becoming increasingly prevalent in many parts of the world. To conserve water and maintain a beautiful garden, it’s essential to consider adding drought-tolerant plants to your landscape.

These plants have adapted to survive in arid climates by developing deep root systems or storing water in their leaves or stems. Here are fourteen drought-tolerant plants that can add beauty and diversity to your garden while conserving water.

Lavender

Lavender is a popular and versatile plant with a delightful scent that adds color to your garden. This perennial herb is drought-tolerant and loves full sun, making it perfect for dry gardens. It’s also deer-resistant, easy to grow, and attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Agave

Agave plants are known for their striking architectural form and low water needs. These succulents come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, making them a great addition to any garden. They thrive in hot, dry conditions and require little maintenance once established.

Russian Sage

Russian sage is a drought-tolerant perennial with silvery-gray foliage and spikes of lavender-blue flowers. It’s a low-maintenance plant that can handle full sun and poor soil conditions, making it ideal for dry gardens. Its long bloom time also makes it a favorite among gardeners.

Yucca

Yucca plants are another excellent option for drought-tolerant landscaping. Their thick leaves store water, making them highly adaptable to dry conditions. These hardy plants come in various sizes, from small shrubs to tree-like forms, and their white flower clusters add a unique touch to any garden.

Sedum

Sedums are succulent plants in many varieties, including ground cover, upright forms, and trailing types. They are drought-resistant and can handle hot, dry conditions, making them perfect for rock gardens or as borders in low-water landscapes. Many sedum varieties also produce beautiful summer blooms.

Cacti

Cacti are iconic plants of arid environments, making them an obvious choice for drought-tolerant landscaping. Their unique shapes and forms add interest and texture to any garden. These low-maintenance plants require little water and come in various sizes, from small potted plants to towering giants.

Verbena

Verbena is a colorful and hardy annual plant that thrives in hot, sunny locations with well-draining soil. It’s also drought-tolerant and can tolerate short periods of dryness, making it an excellent choice for water-conserving gardens. Its long-lasting blooms in pink, purple, and white shades attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Yarrow

Yarrow is a tough perennial plant with feathery leaves and clusters of brightly colored flowers. It’s drought-resistant, easy to grow, and attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings. This plant also has medicinal properties and is commonly used in herbal remedies.

Penstemon

Penstemon plants are known for their trumpet-shaped flowers, which come in various colors, including red, pink, blue, and purple. These perennials thrive in full sun and well-draining soil, making them ideal for dry gardens. Their nectar-rich blooms also attract hummingbirds and other pollinators.

Artemisia

Artemisias are a group of hardy perennials with silvery foliage and aromatic leaves. These plants are drought-tolerant and can thrive in poor, dry soils. They come in various sizes, from ground cover to shrubs, and add texture and contrast to any garden.

Coneflower

Coneflowers are popular perennials with daisy-like flowers in pink, purple, yellow, and white shades. Once established, these plants are drought-tolerant and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. They also have medicinal properties and are commonly used in herbal remedies.

Dusty Miller

Dusty Miller is a drought-tolerant annual with silver-gray foliage that adds texture and contrast to garden beds. It’s also deer-resistant and can handle heat, making it perfect for dry gardens. This plant is often used as a filler or border plant in flower beds.

Ice Plant

Ice plants are low-growing succulents in various colors, including pink, purple, yellow, and white. They thrive in full sun and well-draining soil, perfect for rock gardens or as ground cover in dry areas.

Lantana

Lantanas are hardy annuals with brightly colored flowers that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. They’re also drought-resistant and can handle heat, making them perfect for low-water landscapes. Lantanas come in various colors, including red, yellow, orange, and pink.