Planting drought-tolerant plants is an excellent idea if you live in an area with unfavorable weather and water scarcity. They become less thirsty, stay resilient, and can survive in dry soil. If you like the idea, here are some of the Best Drought Tolerant Plants you can easily grow!

Best Drought Tolerant Plants

1. Agave

Botanical Name: Agave

USDA Zones: 5-11

Agaves store water in their thick foliage, and this makes them live without it for long. Landscapers often grow them due to the low maintenance nature and unusual shape of their foliage too!

Here are some of the best agave varieties you can grow

2. Lithops

Botanical Name: Lithops

USDA Zones: 9-12

Lithops are unique, stone-like succulent plants with a low-watering requirement. This attribute makes them one of the best plants to grow in small succulent displays.

Check out our article on growing lithops here

3. Sedum

Botanical Name: Sedum

USDA Zones: 7-11

Known for its resistance to drought and low maintenance nature, whole sedum genus plants grow in all soil types and prefer plenty of light.

Here are some of the best sedum varieties you can grow

4. Desert Rose

Botanical Name: Adenium obesum

Also known as “Desert Rose,” Adenium is a tropical succulent that requires occasional watering. It does well in full sun and can also be grown as a houseplant in colder climates.

Check out our article on desert rose care here

5. Jade Plant

Botanical Name: Crassula ovata

Featuring fleshy paddle-shaped leaves, jade is a popular succulent. It is also believed to bring good luck to the owner.

Check out some amazing jade plant benefits here

6. Cacti and Succulents

USDA Zones: 6-12

Cacti come in many shapes and sizes and do remarkably well in low water. These are perfect plants for desert conditions, and you can also grow them in pots.

Here are some of the best cacti you can grow

7. Bougainvillea

Botanical Name: Bougainvillea

USDA Zones: 9-11

Bougainvillea is a champion in tolerating drought phases. It’s one of the toughest shrubs that thrive on neglect in extreme and intense conditions.

Check out our article on the best Bougainvillea care tips here

8. Moss Rose

Botanical Name: Portulaca grandiflora

USDA Zones: 3-11

Moss rose is a drought-tolerant flowering plant that thrives in dry, poor soil. Due to its thick succulent leaves, it can survive for a long time without water. It can’t tolerate frost, and you can only grow it as an annual unless you live in warm climates.

9. Blanket Flower

Botanical Name: Gaillardia

USDA Zones: 3-10

The blanket flower has no special needs. Anyone without a green thumb can make it bloom prolifically. All it really wants is a sunny spot and occasional watering spells.

10. Verbena

Botanical Name: Verbena officinalis

Verbena is an excellent ground cover that spreads rapidly and thrives in high heat and infrequent little water. It does well in full sun and well-drained soil.

11. Lantana

Botanical Name: Lantana camara

Lantana is a tropical plant grown for its fragrant, colorful flowers. The plant loves heat and drought and is known for its less demanding nature. Because it’s invasive, it’s better to grow it in pots.

Here’s all you need to know about growing lantana

12. Wallflower

Botanical Name: Erysimum

USDA Zones: 6-9

Known for their beautiful colors and sweet fragrance, wallflowers are short-lived perennials and require occasional watering. Flowers appear in spring and summer in clusters.

13. Oleander

Botanical Name: Nerium oleander

USDA Zones: 5-9

Oleander is a tropical shrub that blooms prolifically. It produces beautiful fragrant flowers of different colors, like yellow, pink, red, white, and purple. All parts of it are toxic!

14. Rock Soapwort

Botanical Name: Saponaria ocymoides

USDA Zones: 3-8

Grow this plant if you’re searching for the one that thrives on neglect, requires no fertilizers, and performs well in poor soil and drought-like conditions.

15. Sage

Botanical Name: Salvia officinalis

USDA Zones: 5-10

This drought-resistant herb is famous for its aromatic flavor. Sage has low watering requirements, and overwatering can kill the plant quickly.

Check out our article on growing sage here

16. Poppy

Botanical Name: Papaver

Thanks to the vibrant colors, poppies are the biggest attraction anywhere when in bloom. To grow poppies, all you need is sufficient exposure to the sun and low to moderate watering.

Here’s all the information you need on growing poppies

17. Lavender Cotton

Botanical Name: Santolina chamaecyparissus

This mound-forming shrub has gray-green foliage and pretty button-like flowers that appear in summer. It does well in low water and thrives in full sun.

18. Lavender

Botanical Name: Lavandula

This unmistakable flowering herb is easy to grow and is quite drought-tolerant. You can also plant it in the pot to enjoy its refreshing fragrance!

Check out our article on growing lavender here

19. Rock Daisy

Botanical Name: Perityle

It is most suitable for rock gardens. These flowering plants thrive well in neglect and lack of water.

20. Globe Thistle

Botanical Name: Echinops

USDA Zones: 3-9

Once established, globe thistles tolerate drought and are probably one of the easiest perennials you can have in your garden.

21. Rose Campion

Botanical Name: Silene coronaria

Rose Campion is admired for its silvery-green foliage. The plant requires only supplemental watering during prolonged dry periods.

22. Red Valerian

Botanical Name: Centranthus ruber

USDA Zones: 5-8

This drought-tolerant plant has fragrant round clusters of flowers that appear from late spring and complements its fleshy blue-green foliage.

Want to grow Valerian? Click here

23. Crown of Thorns

Botanical Name: Euphorbia milii

Euphorbia milii tolerate the scarcity of water easily and don’t require special attention. It flowers almost year-round in a location that remains dry, warm, and frost-free.

24. Russian Sage

Botanical Name: Perovskia atriplicifolia

This tough and drought-resistant shrub is truly an admirable plant, thanks to its silvery foliage and beautiful plumes of lavender color flowers.

25. Yarrow

Botanical Name: Achillea millefolium

Yarrows are low-maintenance plants with decorative foliage. They’re suitable for borders, wildflower meadows, and rock gardens.

26. Pineleaf Penstemon

Botanical Name: Pineleaf Penstemon

USDA Zones: 4-9

Pineleaf Penstemon is a herbaceous perennial and low-maintenance plant. It blooms wonderful scarlet-red flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies alike.

27. Giant Hyssops

Botanical Name: Agastache

USDA Zones: 4-10

Boasting pink, blue, white, or orange flowers, Agastache is a drought-loving plant. It attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators!

28. Beardtongue

Botanical Name: Penstemon

Beardtongue features clusters of tube-shaped flowers on rigid stems. These plants become drought-tolerant after maturity and require watering every couple of weeks.

29. Coneflower

Botanical Name: Echinacea

Coneflowers are quite drought-tolerant, but they need little maintenance from time to time. You can grow them in any soil type with good drainage.

30. Calfornia Poppy

Botanical Name: Eschscholzia californica

Calfornia Poppy is a fast-growing, drought-tolerant annual that thrives well in full sun and can also handle partial shade. Grow this plant in well-draining, sandy-loamy soil.

31. Purple Fountain Grass

Botanical Name: Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’

This is a famous ornamental, clump-forming grass with purple-red narrow leaves. This drought-tolerant specimen can manage for some days without water.

See the names of the best ornamental red grasses here

32. Kangaroo Paw

Botanical Name: Anigozanthos spp.

Native to Australia, it grows in dry, sandy regions and can withstand long dry spells due to the sap conserved in the roots.

33. New Zealand Tea Tree

Botanical Name: Leptospermum scoparium

USDA Zones: 8-10

Also popular as Manuka. This evergreen shrub has fragrant, prickly, small foliage and ornamental pink, white, or red blooms. Once established, they are drought resistant.

34. Twinberry Honeysuckle

Botanical Name: Lonicera involucrata

USDA Zones: 4-8

This deciduous shrub flowers in orange-red blooms have trichomes (tiny hairs) that catch water and hold onto it, making the plant drought-tolerant.

35. Pride of Madeira

Botanical Name: Echium candicans

USDA Zones: 9-10

This evergreen plant, with stunning blue flowers, has a mounding growth habit. It grows naturally on rocky cliffs and tolerates dry soil very well.

36. Trumpet Vine

Botanical Name: Campsis radicans

USDA Zones: 4-11

This flowering vine is quite drought-tolerant and can be grown in a range of conditions. It grows fast with bright green leaves and ornamental red-orange flowers during summer.

37. Catmint

Botanical Name: Nepeta x faassenii

USDA Zones: Zones 3 to 8

Grow this drought-tolerant plant on borders, rock gardens, and in pots. It produces fragrant blooms that lure bees and butterflies.

38. Artemisia

Botanical Name: Artemisia spp.

Artemisia is admired for pretty, slender, gray to silver foliage on tall arching stems, that grows up to 1-5 feet tall and wide. It’s a popular choice for drought-tolerant gardens.

39. Licorice Plant

Botanical Name: Helichrysum petiolare

This tropical perennial is loved by gardeners for its spreading growth pattern and fuzzy, silver leaves. It thrives well in partial shade to full sun.

Note: Keep in mind that it is not edible and not used for making licorice. Also, listed as an invasive plant where it is considered perennial.

40. Veronica

Botanical Name: Veronica spp.

Also known as speedwell, this drought-resistant plant features purple, white, pink, or blue spikes. It grows up to 1-2 feet tall and grows best in well-draining soil and full sun.

41. Aloe 

Botanical Name: Aloe spp.

USDA Zones: 10-12

Aloe species can grow in drought-like conditions easily. The best ones for landscaping are Coral, Tiger, Soap, and Jewel Aloe. 

42. Artichoke

Botanical Name: Cynara cardunculus

The beautiful, drought-tolerant ornamental plant also bears edible artichokes from autumn to spring. It is also quite easy to maintain.

43. Palo Verde

Botanical Name: Parkinsonia spp.

Palo Verde is native to semi-deserts of Africa and America and is an excellent drought-tolerant plant. Pruneit to maintain the shape of a canopy whenever necessary.

44. Geraniums

Botanical Name: Pelargonium spp.

Most varieties of Geraniums are tolerant of drought and heat. Once you establish the plant, they thrive well for a long duration without water.

45. Wild Lilac

Botanical Name: Ceanothus

USDA Zones: 8-11

Wild lilacs are colorful and fragrant shrubs that are evergreen and tolerant of drought. You can grow them in the landscape as hedges, ground covers, borders, and more.

Watch a great video that we have made here

  • Angela

  • June 6, 2016 At 8:48 pm

  • Please make sure to state that Oleanders are poisonous

  • Reply

  • Eco Master

  • March 8, 2021 At 2:19 am

  • No.

  • Reply

  • Josadrinne Moras

  • January 9, 2017 At 9:56 pm

  • Plz put Venus flytrap

  • Reply

  • Rylin

  • March 11, 2020 At 10:18 pm

  • is the Venus Flytrap evn a Drought Tolerant Plant?

  • Reply

  • md

  • September 2, 2021 At 9:20 pm

  • lol they are bog plants

  • Reply

  • Debra Hickey

  • April 8, 2017 At 10:07 am

  • Thanks. Great article

  • Reply

  • Kathy

  • May 11, 2017 At 12:06 pm

  • Many of these are tropicals and will not grow well in zone 7 or lower. They cannot survive winter. Lantana is great, but doesn’t smell very nice.

  • Reply

  • Lin

  • February 3, 2019 At 6:19 am

  • I liveon vancouver island and they grow just fine for me but they do act as perrenials and the seed pavks say annuals.

  • Reply

  • Evangeline c. Baltao

  • November 27, 2019 At 6:26 am

  • Right.

  • I think lantana smell yacky.

  • Reply

  • Brenda Ware

  • May 16, 2017 At 12:49 am

  • Thank you so much

  • Reply

  • Liz

  • June 1, 2017 At 11:20 am

  • Some newer varieties of lantana have better fragrance..except the “grape”!

  • Reply

  • Kirsty Woodforde

  • June 17, 2017 At 12:49 am

  • Don’t let Lantana get away on you! Has turned into an environmental disaster in Australia 🙁

  • Reply

  • Charlotte

  • November 19, 2020 At 6:35 am

  • Lantana, although an introduced species actually provides a safe home or hideaway from birds for our smaller native rodents and marsupials. It was first introduced by a wealthy English family at Daisy Hill in QLD. I learnt about it on a year 12 biology/ecology field trip to the nature reserve there.

  • Reply

  • Chandrashekhara Reddy Gt

  • November 18, 2017 At 4:56 pm

  • So informative

  • Reply

  • Jent

  • December 17, 2017 At 10:53 am

  • please advise how to grow Lantana in the same way as from the pot from this page ? thanks

  • Reply

  • Ms S G Matt

  • February 20, 2018 At 3:16 pm

  • Please advise on how to grow lavender from seeds.Tried various tips but not successful. Saplings not available in our place.

  • Reply

  • Karen Webb

  • February 26, 2018 At 12:56 am

  • Lantana is also poisonous…just always wash hands don’t stick your fingers in your mouth..

  • Reply

  • M Ashbarry

  • March 13, 2019 At 3:27 am

  • Lantana is NOT poisonous. That is a myth perpetuated by a few folks. I have done a lot of research and the general consensus is that the plant is not poisonous. I have grown it for over 20 years and have never had a problem with it.

  • Reply

  • Jody

  • August 17, 2019 At 7:07 pm

  • I have heard Lantana is dangerous to cows.

  • Reply

  • Lol

  • February 26, 2018 At 7:10 pm

  • I hate flowers

  • Reply

  • ThreeDollarBill

  • May 25, 2019 At 9:25 am

  • They hate you too.

  • Reply

  • BBB

  • May 2, 2022 At 5:59 am

  • LOL! Thank you!

  • Reply

  • Bill Lenz

  • March 24, 2018 At 5:02 pm

  • Oleanders clog sewer lines, also currently undergoing a blight in Arizona

  • Reply

  • G-girl

  • April 4, 2018 At 4:09 pm

  • Just add “pet-friendly” when applicable – the most beautiful garden isn’t worth losing a beloved pet!

  • Reply

  • Gem Lavnorix

  • April 25, 2018 At 11:39 pm

  • Helpful, but not exactly what I’m looking for…I need to find plants that are good for Part shade/Part sun, and don’t need much watering, but most importantly, child friendly and pretty.

  • Reply

  • Vincent JoAnne

  • April 30, 2022 At 8:39 pm

  • Salvias are a good choice, as well as lavender!

  • Reply

  • Karen Gordon

  • May 13, 2018 At 2:26 am

  • I just learn something new. Thank you

  • Reply

  • Dawar

  • May 14, 2018 At 7:12 pm

  • thanks . it will help me in my thesis studies.

  • Reply

  • Jacqueline

  • June 26, 2018 At 8:45 pm

  • Hi I have a caravan on solway firth, and have a few ceramic pots, which I would to put plants in but I am only there every 3 weeks. Is there any plants that would be suitable. In the winter I put pansies in and they were great. Thank you

  • Reply

  • e

  • June 29, 2018 At 3:02 pm

  • I have grown Lantana several times and never knew it was poisonous..that is scary . I will research it more, thanks

  • Reply

  • Urwashee Saxena

  • August 30, 2018 At 10:57 am

  • There are a lot of plants who don’t require much water to survive like Succulents and you have mentioned some of them; Succulents come in lots of varieties (like slender cacti, spiky sedum, smooth Echeverri, or flowering Kalanchoe), but typically enjoy sunlight and dry air. Their thick leaves store water, so they typically only require weekly watering.

  • Reply

  • Oneida

  • June 26, 2019 At 11:47 pm

  • I live in SC, what do you advise me please? Thanks

  • Reply

  • PAT ann hanson

  • July 22, 2019 At 3:23 am

  • Where can I buy these types of plants?????

  • Reply

  • Purno chandra beruko

  • December 6, 2019 At 8:05 pm

  • Nana k

  • Reply

  • Rylin

  • March 11, 2020 At 10:21 pm

  • is the Venus Flytrap evn a Drought Tolerant Plant?

  • Reply

  • Dennis W. Klug

  • March 22, 2020 At 9:15 pm

  • What kind of produce can be bought that is drought resistance in Phoenix AZ?

  • Reply

  • Rails

  • September 29, 2020 At 4:08 am

  • I have 2 large terracotta pots at my front door, I have one with impatiens in it. what other flowers can I plant in them, I know impatiens dont like sun so both pots are in shady areas, no sun at all so I kind of want something that will grow needing no sun but not too big wither.

  • Reply

  • Sorine

  • April 3, 2021 At 3:55 am

  • Wild lilac species are fragrant and colorful shrubs. They re evergreen and drought tolerant, and they can be used in the landscape as screens, hedges, ground covers, borders, and more. While most wild lilac species are native to California, some grow in the eastern U.S., the Rocky Mountains, the Pacific Northwest, and Mexico. Some grow upright; some are compact and bushy; and some are low-growing and spreading.

  • Reply

  • cactus

  • May 17, 2021 At 10:55 pm

  • cactus.

  • Reply

  • Fumiko

  • August 29, 2022 At 6:26 pm

  • I have had Lantana in my butterfly garden for many years. Butterflies love lantana. The colorful, nectar-rich flowers that these plants and shrubs produce are called “butterfly magnets” by many garden centers and nurseries. Their bright colors, tight bunches of blossoms, and flat structure make lantana the perfect choice for any butterfly garden.

  • Reply

  • Eco Master

  • March 8, 2021 At 2:19 am

  • No.

  • Reply

Please make sure to state that Oleanders are poisonous

No.

  • Rylin
  • March 11, 2020 At 10:18 pm
  • is the Venus Flytrap evn a Drought Tolerant Plant?
  • Reply
  • md
  • September 2, 2021 At 9:20 pm
  • lol they are bog plants
  • Reply

Plz put Venus flytrap

is the Venus Flytrap evn a Drought Tolerant Plant?

lol they are bog plants

Thanks. Great article

  • Lin
  • February 3, 2019 At 6:19 am
  • I liveon vancouver island and they grow just fine for me but they do act as perrenials and the seed pavks say annuals.
  • Reply
  • Evangeline c. Baltao
  • November 27, 2019 At 6:26 am
  • Right.
  • I think lantana smell yacky.
  • Reply

Many of these are tropicals and will not grow well in zone 7 or lower. They cannot survive winter. Lantana is great, but doesn’t smell very nice.

I liveon vancouver island and they grow just fine for me but they do act as perrenials and the seed pavks say annuals.

Right. I think lantana smell yacky.

Thank you so much

Some newer varieties of lantana have better fragrance..except the “grape”!

  • Charlotte
  • November 19, 2020 At 6:35 am
  • Lantana, although an introduced species actually provides a safe home or hideaway from birds for our smaller native rodents and marsupials. It was first introduced by a wealthy English family at Daisy Hill in QLD. I learnt about it on a year 12 biology/ecology field trip to the nature reserve there.
  • Reply

Don’t let Lantana get away on you! Has turned into an environmental disaster in Australia 🙁

Lantana, although an introduced species actually provides a safe home or hideaway from birds for our smaller native rodents and marsupials. It was first introduced by a wealthy English family at Daisy Hill in QLD. I learnt about it on a year 12 biology/ecology field trip to the nature reserve there.

So informative

please advise how to grow Lantana in the same way as from the pot from this page ? thanks

Please advise on how to grow lavender from seeds.Tried various tips but not successful. Saplings not available in our place.

  • M Ashbarry
  • March 13, 2019 At 3:27 am
  • Lantana is NOT poisonous. That is a myth perpetuated by a few folks. I have done a lot of research and the general consensus is that the plant is not poisonous. I have grown it for over 20 years and have never had a problem with it.
  • Reply
  • Jody
  • August 17, 2019 At 7:07 pm
  • I have heard Lantana is dangerous to cows.
  • Reply

Lantana is also poisonous…just always wash hands don’t stick your fingers in your mouth..

  • Jody
  • August 17, 2019 At 7:07 pm
  • I have heard Lantana is dangerous to cows.
  • Reply

Lantana is NOT poisonous. That is a myth perpetuated by a few folks. I have done a lot of research and the general consensus is that the plant is not poisonous. I have grown it for over 20 years and have never had a problem with it.

I have heard Lantana is dangerous to cows.

  • ThreeDollarBill
  • May 25, 2019 At 9:25 am
  • They hate you too.
  • Reply
  • BBB
  • May 2, 2022 At 5:59 am
  • LOL! Thank you!
  • Reply

I hate flowers

  • BBB
  • May 2, 2022 At 5:59 am
  • LOL! Thank you!
  • Reply

They hate you too.

LOL! Thank you!

Oleanders clog sewer lines, also currently undergoing a blight in Arizona

Just add “pet-friendly” when applicable – the most beautiful garden isn’t worth losing a beloved pet!

  • Vincent JoAnne
  • April 30, 2022 At 8:39 pm
  • Salvias are a good choice, as well as lavender!
  • Reply

Helpful, but not exactly what I’m looking for…I need to find plants that are good for Part shade/Part sun, and don’t need much watering, but most importantly, child friendly and pretty.

Salvias are a good choice, as well as lavender!

I just learn something new. Thank you

thanks . it will help me in my thesis studies.

Hi I have a caravan on solway firth, and have a few ceramic pots, which I would to put plants in but I am only there every 3 weeks. Is there any plants that would be suitable. In the winter I put pansies in and they were great. Thank you

I have grown Lantana several times and never knew it was poisonous..that is scary . I will research it more, thanks

There are a lot of plants who don’t require much water to survive like Succulents and you have mentioned some of them; Succulents come in lots of varieties (like slender cacti, spiky sedum, smooth Echeverri, or flowering Kalanchoe), but typically enjoy sunlight and dry air. Their thick leaves store water, so they typically only require weekly watering.

I live in SC, what do you advise me please? Thanks

Where can I buy these types of plants?????

Nana k

What kind of produce can be bought that is drought resistance in Phoenix AZ?

I have 2 large terracotta pots at my front door, I have one with impatiens in it. what other flowers can I plant in them, I know impatiens dont like sun so both pots are in shady areas, no sun at all so I kind of want something that will grow needing no sun but not too big wither.

Wild lilac species are fragrant and colorful shrubs. They re evergreen and drought tolerant, and they can be used in the landscape as screens, hedges, ground covers, borders, and more. While most wild lilac species are native to California, some grow in the eastern U.S., the Rocky Mountains, the Pacific Northwest, and Mexico. Some grow upright; some are compact and bushy; and some are low-growing and spreading.

cactus.

I have had Lantana in my butterfly garden for many years. Butterflies love lantana. The colorful, nectar-rich flowers that these plants and shrubs produce are called “butterfly magnets” by many garden centers and nurseries. Their bright colors, tight bunches of blossoms, and flat structure make lantana the perfect choice for any butterfly garden.

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