Looking to create a colorful, low-maintenance garden that can thrive in hot, dry climates? You’re in the right place. This guide highlights 31 of the best drought-tolerant plants that add life, texture, and stunning blooms to your outdoor space—all without the need for constant watering.
Whether you live in an arid region or just want to cut back on your water usage, incorporating plants that can handle the heat is a smart, eco-conscious move. From bold perennials and bright annuals to succulents, herbs, grasses, and shrubs, you’ll find options for every garden style and skill level.
Important tip: Some plants on this list may be toxic to pets or small children. Be sure to research each plant’s safety before adding it to your yard.
🌿 Drought-Tolerant Perennials
1. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
With its cheerful yellow petals and dark center, the Black-Eyed Susan is a classic garden staple. Not only is it visually striking, but it’s also incredibly hardy—thriving in full sun and dry conditions. Once established, it needs very little watering and often self-seeds, keeping your garden bright year after year.
2. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow is a favorite for hot, dry gardens. This clump-forming perennial produces flat clusters of tiny flowers—ranging from white to golden yellow—and blooms from summer into early fall. It’s deer-resistant, pollinator-friendly, and practically thrives on neglect.
3. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)
Looking for nonstop blooms? Blanket flowers deliver fiery red, orange, and yellow tones from spring to frost. Native to the Americas, they handle poor soil and minimal watering like champs. Their long blooming season and bold colors make them perfect for adding summer flair.
4. Rose Campion (Lychnis coronaria)
Rose Campion is a low-maintenance stunner with silver-gray foliage and bright magenta or white blooms. It loves full sun and dry soil, making it ideal for xeriscaping. Plus, it easily reseeds itself, giving you more beauty with less effort.
5. Oleander (Nerium oleander)
This tough shrub boasts lush green leaves and clusters of pink, white, or red flowers. Oleander thrives in heat and sun and doesn’t mind poor soil. It’s a great choice for hedges or background planting—but be aware that all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested.
6. Verbena (Verbena spp.)
Verbena is a heat-loving beauty that blooms in shades of purple, pink, and red. It grows well in containers or directly in garden beds, especially with well-drained soil. It doesn’t like wet feet but will flourish with occasional deep watering and full sunlight.
🌸 Drought-Tolerant Annuals
1. Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)
Zinnias are a summer favorite for good reason—they bloom in vibrant hues like red, orange, pink, and purple and don’t shy away from heat or drought. These low-maintenance flowers prefer full sun and can handle dry spells once established. Deadheading encourages more blooms throughout the season.
2. California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
This iconic flower of the West is a drought hero. California poppies burst with bright orange and yellow blooms that close at night and during cloudy days. They’re perfect for naturalized landscapes, thriving in sandy, well-drained soil with little care.
3. Marigold (Tagetes spp.)
Cheerful and pest-repelling, marigolds are a go-to for hot, dry gardens. These hardy annuals bloom in sunny shades from early summer to frost and do well in a variety of soils. Bonus: their scent helps deter pests like aphids and mosquitoes.
4. Portulaca (Portulaca grandiflora)
Also known as moss rose, portulaca is a sun-loving succulent that produces vivid, rose-like blooms in dry, sandy soil. It’s nearly carefree—just plant it in full sun and forget it. Ideal for borders, rock gardens, and containers.
5. Wallflower (Erysimum spp.)
Wallflowers are often overlooked, but they’re incredibly tough and drought-resistant. Their compact blooms appear in purples, yellows, and pinks and can handle poor soils. With their ability to store moisture in their leaves, they’re made for tough conditions.
🌵 Drought-Tolerant Cacti & Succulents
1. Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea)
The iconic giant of the Sonoran Desert, the saguaro cactus can reach up to 40 feet tall and live for over a century. It thrives in blazing sun and rocky soil, requiring almost no water once established. In late spring, it blooms with striking white flowers that attract pollinators.
2. Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus spp.)
This globe-shaped cactus is built to withstand extreme heat and drought. Its thick skin and sharp spines protect it from harsh conditions and wildlife. Barrel cacti need minimal water and are great statement plants for xeriscapes and desert gardens.
3. Prickly Pear (Opuntia spp.)
Prickly pear cacti are both ornamental and edible. Their flat, paddle-like pads produce colorful blooms and later, edible fruit (often called “tuna”). These hardy plants are native to the Americas and can handle long dry spells with ease.
🌱 Drought-Tolerant Succulents
4. Sedum (Sedum spp.)
Also called stonecrop, sedum is a low-growing succulent perfect for ground cover. It’s adaptable to many soil types and produces clusters of tiny flowers in late summer. Ideal for borders, rock gardens, and even rooftop green spaces.
5. Echeveria (Echeveria spp.)
Known for its rosette shape and stunning colors, echeveria is a star in succulent arrangements. It prefers full sun and sandy, well-draining soil. Water sparingly and only when the soil is dry—overwatering is its biggest enemy.
6. Aloe (Aloe vera)
A favorite for its medicinal uses, aloe is also an excellent drought-tolerant addition to any garden. It grows well in containers or directly in the ground with full sun and infrequent watering. Its gel-filled leaves soothe burns and skin irritations.
7. Agave (Agave spp.)
Bold and architectural, agaves are desert-dwellers that thrive on neglect. With thick, spiky leaves and impressive drought resistance, they make excellent focal points in any xeriscape. Most species bloom once late in life before dying—a dramatic finale to a low-maintenance life.
🌿 Drought-Tolerant Herbs
1. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Rosemary is a hardy, evergreen herb that loves full sun and poor, dry soil. Its fragrant, needle-like leaves are perfect for seasoning meats, potatoes, and bread. Once established, rosemary requires very little water and even doubles as a decorative shrub with its small purple-blue flowers.
2. Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
This Mediterranean native thrives in dry climates and brings a warm, slightly bitter flavor to dishes. Oregano grows best in well-drained soil and full sun. It’s low-maintenance, spreads easily, and blooms with clusters of pinkish-purple flowers in summer.
3. Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Sage is a woody perennial herb with soft, gray-green leaves and small violet flowers. It loves full sun and dry soil and is a staple in many savory dishes. Bonus: sage attracts beneficial insects and pollinators, making it a functional and beautiful garden plant.
4. Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
Known for its soothing scent and gorgeous purple blooms, lavender is a drought-tolerant superstar. Plant it in full sun with well-drained soil, and it will flourish with very little care. Use it for aromatherapy, homemade tea, or to add a calming vibe to your garden borders.
🌾 Drought-Tolerant Ornamental Grasses
1. Feather Grass (Stipa tenuissima / Nassella tenuissima)
Delicate and airy, feather grass brings a soft, flowing texture to dry landscapes. Its fine, wispy blades shimmer in the breeze and require almost no maintenance. It thrives in hot, dry soil and pairs beautifully with bolder perennials and succulents.
2. Blue Grama Grass (Bouteloua gracilis)
A native prairie grass, blue grama is as tough as it is attractive. Its distinctive seed heads curve like eyebrows, adding visual interest to dry gardens. It’s ideal for low-water lawns, naturalized spaces, or borders, and it’s resistant to both drought and foot traffic.
3. Fountain Grass (Pennisetum spp.)
Fountain grass lives up to its name with arching, fountain-like plumes that sway elegantly in the wind. It comes in various shades, from green to burgundy, and produces feathery blooms in summer. It’s drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and adds movement and softness to any garden bed.
🍃 Drought-Tolerant Vines
1. Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)
If you’re after fast-growing coverage and bold color, trumpet vine delivers. This vigorous climber produces clusters of bright red, orange, or pink trumpet-shaped flowers that hummingbirds love. It thrives in full sun, tolerates drought, and can cover structures quickly—just be ready to manage its growth!
2. Clematis (Clematis spp.)
Known for its stunning bell or star-shaped blooms, clematis is surprisingly drought-tolerant once established. With hundreds of varieties, it offers flowers in purples, blues, and whites. Plant its roots in the shade and its vines in the sun for best results, and enjoy its dramatic seasonal display.
3. Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea)
Morning glories are charming climbers that thrive in hot, dry weather. Their trumpet-like flowers unfurl in the early hours and come in a range of colors from blue to purple to pink. Once they’re settled, they need minimal water and reseed easily, creating a carefree cascade of blooms.
🌳 Drought-Tolerant Shrubs
1. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
With its silvery leaves and spires of lavender-blue flowers, Russian sage is a showstopper in dry gardens. It’s extremely drought-tolerant, thrives in full sun, and adds a wispy elegance to borders or rock gardens. Plus, it attracts pollinators and deters deer — a double win.
2. Lantana (Lantana camara)
Lantana is a colorful, tropical-looking shrub that loves heat and dryness. It blooms nonstop in shades of yellow, pink, red, and orange, and is a magnet for butterflies and hummingbirds. Whether grown as a ground cover or small shrub, lantana is tough and low-maintenance.
3. Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens)
Also known as “barometer bush,” Texas sage responds to humidity changes with a flush of lavender blooms. Native to the Southwest, it’s perfectly suited for arid climates. Its silvery foliage provides a beautiful contrast in the landscape, and it needs little more than sun and space to thrive.
💧 Tips for Watering Plants During a Drought
Even the most drought-tolerant plants need smart watering practices—especially when they’re getting established. Use these techniques to help your garden thrive without wasting water:
- Group plants by water needs to avoid overwatering drought-tolerant varieties.
- Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root growth.
- Mulch around plants to retain moisture and reduce surface evaporation.
- Check soil moisture before watering—dry on top doesn’t always mean dry underneath.
- Water early in the morning when temps are cooler and evaporation is minimal.
- Install drip irrigation or soaker hoses for efficient watering at the root zone.
- Collect rainwater or reuse greywater (like cooled vegetable rinse water) where safe.
- Replace water-hungry lawns with drought-tolerant ground covers or native plants.
🌿 Final Thoughts
Creating a vibrant, water-wise garden is totally doable with the right plant selection and care. Whether you’re looking for showy flowers, culinary herbs, or low-fuss greenery, these drought-tolerant plants prove that low-water gardening doesn’t mean sacrificing beauty.
With a bit of planning, you can build a landscape that’s not only sustainable and resilient but also full of life, color, and personality—no matter how hot or dry it gets.