51 Best Drought Tolerant Plants That Grow In Lack Of Water
Do you forget to water your plants often? You should go with these Best Drought Tolerant Plants that Grow In Lack of Water!
Beyond being a convenient solution for those prone to forgetfulness, drought-tolerant plants also offer a practical advantage for individuals living in arid regions or those who struggle with accessing abundant water supplies. These resilient plants can thrive even under conditions of limited moisture, making them an ideal choice for gardeners seeking to mitigate the impact of dry spells or hot climates.
Best Drought Tolerant Plants
While it’s true that all plants require some level of hydration, the notion that no plant can survive without water is a common misconception. In reality, what this means is that drought-tolerant plants have adapted to thrive in conditions with limited water availability. This doesn’t mean they’re entirely immune to water scarcity; rather, they’ve evolved to require less frequent watering, typically every 5-7 days, making them more resilient in arid environments.
Agave
Lithops
The Lithops succulent, known botanically as Lithops, is characterized by its small size and unique stone-like appearance. Thriving in USDA zones 9-12, this low-maintenance plant requires minimal watering to flourish. In fact, it can survive for up to 1-2 weeks between waterings, making it an ideal choice for busy gardeners or those who tend to forget to water their plants. Its ability to conserve water and energy makes Lithops a great addition to any succulent display.
Sedum
Sedum, a hardy succulent, thrives in USDA zones 7 to 11. Its exceptional drought tolerance allows it to flourish in a variety of soil conditions, requiring infrequent watering – typically every 8-10 days. Additionally, Sedum plants are well-suited for locations that receive ample sunlight, making them an ideal choice for gardeners seeking low-maintenance yet visually striking additions.
Desert Rose
The Adenium obesum, also known by its common name Desert Rose, is an ideal choice for those who want to bring some beauty into their lives without demanding too much maintenance. This low-maintenance plant thrives in USDA zones 9-12 and can be grown as a houseplant or outdoors with careful watering. Watering requirements are relatively minimal, requiring only occasional hydration every 10-12 days.
Jade Plant
The Crassula ovata, commonly referred to as Jade, is a highly sought-after succulent species known for its distinctive paddle-shaped leaves that are richly fleshy in texture. Adding to its allure, this plant is also said to bring good fortune to those who cultivate it. Moreover, its low-maintenance nature allows it to thrive with infrequent watering, making it an attractive option for busy gardeners or indoor space owners seeking a low-fuss addition.
Cacti
Mariocactus thrives in USDA zones 6-12, boasting a unique characteristic that sets it apart from other plants – its ability to conserve water through the development of spines instead of foliage. This adaptation allows mariocacti to survive with minimal watering, making them an attractive option for those looking to add some low-maintenance greenery to their space. So why not give one a try and discover the benefits of having a mariocactus in your garden or indoor space?
Bougainvillea
With its botanical name Bougainvillea, this shrub is renowned for its remarkable resilience. In USDA zones 9-11, Bougainvillea thrives as a drought-tolerant powerhouse that can withstand the test of time. One of its most impressive feats is its ability to survive up to 3-4 weeks after a deep watering, without requiring any additional hydration. This extraordinary quality makes it an ideal choice for those seeking low-maintenance yet stunning landscaping.
Moss Rose
Blanket Flower
Gaillardia, also known by its common name Blanket Flower, is an attractive and practical addition to any garden. Its botanical name may be Gaillardia, but it’s the plant’s role in supporting local wildlife that truly sets it apart. As a vital food source for caterpillars, Blanket Flowers play a crucial part in attracting beautiful butterflies to your outdoor space. And the best part? These drought-tolerant plants require minimal watering, needing only about once-weekly hydration to thrive.
Verbena
Lantana
The botanical name of this lovely plant is Lantana camara. Thriving in USDA zones 9-11, Lantana exhibits an impressive ability to tolerate heat and drought, making it an attractive option for gardeners seeking low-maintenance flora. While its invasive nature can be a concern if grown directly in the ground, cultivating it in pots provides a sense of control and prevents any potential issues with spreading.
Wallflower
Oleander
The botanical name of this versatile plant is Nerium oleander, which thrives in USDA zones 5 through 9. As a dense shrub, it’s well-suited for container or border gardens, requiring only occasional watering – just once every 3-5 days.
Rock Soapwort
Characterized by its striking appearance, Saponaria ocymoides boasts an entire plant cover of dainty pink blooms. Notably, these flowers thrive in environments with limited moisture, requiring just a single watering session per week to flourish within USDA zones 3-8.
Sage
Salvia officinalis, a hardy herb, thrives in USDA zones 5-10. One of its notable characteristics is its exceptional drought tolerance. To maintain its health and productivity, water it sparingly, ideally once every 7-8 days. This allows the plant to conserve resources and continue providing fresh leaves for culinary use.
Poppy
The botanical name for this stunning plant is Papaver, which thrives in USDA zones 3-8. Poppies are an excellent choice for gardens and homes alike, as they require minimal care and can survive with a lack of water, making them an ideal option for drought-prone areas.
Lavender Cotton
Santolina chamaecyparissus, a charming shrub, boasts a striking appearance courtesy of its silvery leaves and diminutive yellow blooms. This adaptable plant thrives in USDA zones 6-9, where it can tolerate minimal moisture for up to ten days before requiring a thorough soaking.
Lavender
Rock Daisy
Perityle, commonly known as Rock Daisies, is an excellent choice for rock garden enthusiasts. This resilient plant can tolerate a range of conditions, including drought, making it perfect for busy gardeners or those prone to forgetfulness. Native to USDA zones 5-11, Perityle’s beautiful flowers are sure to brighten up any rocky outcropping, requiring little maintenance in the process.
Globe Thistle
The botanical name for this unique plant is Echinops. Its hardiness is classified under USDA Zones 3-9. One of the notable characteristics of Globe Thistle plants is their ability to thrive in dry conditions, thanks to the presence of long taproots. When young, these plants require regular watering, ideally once a week. However, once they become established, their water needs are significantly reduced, with every 15 days or so being sufficient.
Rose Campion
The botanical name for this plant is Silene coronaria, a species that thrives in USDA zones 3-8. What sets Rose campion apart from other plants is its striking combination of vibrant flowers and silvery foliage. One of its most impressive features is its ability to withstand drought-like conditions once it’s established, making it an excellent choice for areas with hot and dry weather.
Red Valerian
Centranthus ruber, commonly known as Red Valerian, is an ideal option for xeriscaping enthusiasts due to its remarkable ability to thrive in dry conditions, requiring only minimal watering. Moreover, it demands full sun exposure to flourish, making it a perfect choice for sunny spots.
Crown of Thorns
The botanical name for this remarkable plant is Euphorbia milii. This species thrives in USDA zones 5 to 11, making it an excellent choice for gardeners across a wide range of climates. One of its most impressive features is its ability to flourish with minimal water usage. Additionally, the Crown of Thorns plant boasts a unique characteristic – it produces blooms nearly year-round, rendering it an ideal drought-tolerant flowering option.
Russian Sage
Perovskia atriplicifolia, a versatile plant known for its Russian Sage moniker, is often used as an ornamental species. However, it’s worth noting that this hardy plant can thrive in dry conditions, making it an attractive choice for gardeners who prioritize water conservation. In fact, Russian Sages require watering only every 10-15 days, allowing them to flourish while minimizing the need for frequent hydration.
Yarrow
Pineleaf Penstemon
Highcountrygardens highlights the Pineleaf Penstemon, a versatile and resilient herbaceous perennial that thrives in USDA Zones 4-9. This low-maintenance plant boasts vibrant scarlet-red flowers that are a magnet for hummingbirds and butterflies, drawing these pollinators to its beauty. Moreover, it exhibits remarkable drought tolerance, making it an ideal choice for gardeners seeking hardy plants that can survive with minimal watering.
Giant Hyssop
Giant Hyssop, scientifically known as Agastache, thrives in USDA zones 4-10. This herbaceous perennial delights with vibrant pink, blue, white, or orange blooms. To keep it happy, provide regular watering – about once a week for the initial month after planting. As it establishes itself, you can gradually reduce the frequency of watering to conserve water.
Beardtongue
Penstemon, commonly known as Beardtongue, boasts a botanical name that is synonymous with clusters of tube-shaped flowers growing in a rigid, upright formation on its stems. As for its hardiness, this plant thrives in USDA zones 3-9, making it an ideal choice for gardeners living within these regions.
Interestingly, once mature, Penstemon plants develop the ability to withstand drought-like conditions, necessitating less frequent watering – approximately every couple of weeks – compared to younger plants that require more consistent moisture.
Coneflower
Echinacea, also known as coneflowers, thrive in USDA zones 5-10 and showcase remarkable drought tolerance. While they are relatively low-maintenance, occasional care is necessary for optimal growth. One of the most notable aspects of these flowers is their adaptability to various soil types, so long as good drainage is provided.
California Poppy
Purple Fountain Grass
Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’ boasts stunning foliage and low-maintenance charm as a clump-forming ornamental grass. Its striking purple-red leaves are a standout feature, and its ability to thrive in dry conditions makes it an excellent choice for water-conscious gardeners. While tolerating drought, this beautiful specimen still requires USDA Zones 9-11.
Kangaroo Paw
Anigozanthos spp. is the botanical name associated with the unique Kangaroo Paw plant, native to Australia’s arid landscapes. This drought-tolerant species thrives in dry, sandy regions and has adapted to withstand extended periods of drought by conserving sap within its root system.
New Zealand Tea Tree
The New Zealand Tea Tree, also known as Leptospermum scoparium or Manuka, is a hardy evergreen shrub that thrives in USDA zones 8-10. Characterized by its fragrant, prickly leaves and vibrant pink, white, or red flowers, this plant doesn’t require excessive watering to flourish. Its robust nature makes it an attractive choice for gardeners seeking low-maintenance yet visually striking additions.
Twinberry Honeysuckle
Pride of Madeira
Echium candicans, known as Pride of Madeira, boasts an impressive array of attributes that set it apart from other botanical wonders. As a perennial with an evergreen quality, this stunning plant produces vibrant blue flowers that are sure to captivate the senses. Its mounding growth habit lends itself well to being showcased in a garden or container setting, where its natural beauty can truly shine.
What’s more, Pride of Madeira has adapted remarkably well to its native rocky cliffside habitat, demonstrating an impressive tolerance for dry conditions – a testament to its hardiness and ability to thrive with minimal maintenance.
Trumpet Vine
Campsis radicans, also known as the Trumpet Vine, thrives in a range of environments, making it an excellent choice for gardeners across USDA zones 4-11. Notably, this versatile plant is remarkably drought-resistant, allowing it to flourish with minimal watering. Its rapid growth rate is accompanied by vibrant green foliage, which benefits from occasional irrigation – typically once every seven days.
Catmint
Nepeta x faassenii, also known as catmint, is a versatile and low-maintenance option for gardeners of all levels. It thrives in USDA Zones 3 to 8, making it an ideal choice for those living in temperate climates. One of its greatest strengths is its ability to tolerate drought conditions, making it perfect for borders or containers where watering may be limited.
When in bloom, catmint’s fragrant flowers are a magnet for pollinators like butterflies and bees, adding an extra layer of interest and beauty to the garden.
Artemisia
Artemisia spp., a versatile herbaceous perennial, boasts striking silver-gray foliage on tall stems, often overlooked for its impressive ability to withstand drought conditions. With USDA zones ranging from 3-8, this beauty can thrive in various climates.
In contrast, Helichrysum petiolare, commonly known as the Licorice Plant, presents an intriguing alternative with its sprawling habit and fuzzy, silvery leaves that flourish under partial shade to full sun.
While it may not be edible or used for making licorice, this plant has gained popularity among gardeners. However, it’s essential to note that it is considered invasive in many areas.
Aloe
The botanical identity of these hardy plants is reflected in their scientific classification as part of the Aloe spp. genus. From a climatic perspective, they thrive in USDA zones 10 to 12, where they can effortlessly withstand arid conditions. Among the various species suitable for landscaping are Coral, Tiger, Soap, and Jewel Aloe varieties, which have proven themselves particularly resilient and adaptable.
Artichoke
The botanical name of this delightful plant is Cynara cardunculus, and it thrives in USDA zones 7-11. One of its greatest advantages is that it can tolerate neglect – including forgetting to water your plants from time to time! As a bonus, you’ll be rewarded with the deliciousness of artichokes.
Palo Verde
The botanical name for Palo Verde is Parkinsonia spp., a species that thrives in USDA zones 8-11. As a native of semi-deserts in Africa and America, this tree has adapted to survive with minimal watering requirements. Once mature, at around 2-3 years old, you can reduce the frequency of watering to every 1-2 months, making it an excellent option for water-conscious gardeners.
Geraniums
Wild Lilac
The Ceanothus plant, also known as wild lilac, boasts a stunning array of colors and a sweet fragrance, making it an attractive choice for any garden. This evergreen shrub thrives in USDA zones 8-11, where its drought-tolerant nature allows it to flourish even in dry conditions. With its versatility, you can use Ceanothus to create beautiful hedges, ground covers, and borders that add visual interest and texture to your outdoor space.
Rosemary
Yucca
Yucca plants are characterized by their unique botanical name, Yucca. With a hardiness range spanning USDA Zones 4-11, these succulent-like species have adapted to thrive under varying environmental conditions. One of their most impressive features is their ability to retain water through thick, fleshy roots that mimic the behavior of cacti.
This remarkable property allows them to survive with reduced watering schedules, making them an excellent choice for busy gardeners or those looking to minimize maintenance.
Black Eyed Susan
Thunbergia alata, the botanical name for Black-eyed Susans, is notable for its remarkable resilience. Not only can it thrive in dry conditions with minimal water, but it also boasts the ability to flourish without the need for fertilizers. This plant’s adaptability is further reflected in its hardiness, which allows it to grow well within USDA zones 8-11.
