In dry regions, such as the southwestern United States, choosing plants for your landscape might seem like a challenge. But there are several trees, shrubs, vines, and flowers that can continue to thrive and look great, even if your area goes through a stretch without rainfall.
These plants will help you to minimize the time and money you spend on watering your garden. And some of them even prefer growing in poor soil, which usually means you won’t have to use fertilizer.
Here are 15 of the best drought-tolerant flower plants.
1. Portulaca (Portulaca grandiflora)
The portulaca, aka “moss rose,” is able to grow in water scarcity, and even in poor soil. Thanks to its thick juicy succulent leaves, it can survive for a long time while deprived of water.
As you can see in the picture, it comes in a great variety of wonderful radiant colors. On the one hand it is a water-frugal plant, but on the other hand, it requires plenty of warmth to thrive.
2. Geranium
Geraniums are ideal plants for window boxes and containers. They grow best in a sunny position, but they will need some afternoon shade in very hot summer weather.
When watering Geraniums, be sure to water the base of the plant and keep the leaves dry to avoid fungal diseases. Geraniums aren’t frost tolerant so they’ll need to be moved indoors before the frost arrives.
3. Lavender (Lavendula)
Lavender plants produce stunning spikes of bluish-purple flowers that bloom throughout the growing season.
Found naturally in dry, sandy soil of the Mediterranean, lavender has evolved to subsist on little water. Keep the soil evenly moist during your plant’s first year of growth.
But after that you generally only have to water if the first few inches of soil are dry. Also, regularly pinch off spent blooms to promote additional flowering throughout the growing season.
4. Bougainvillea
The bougainvillea is a ‘crowned champion’ in tolerating dry climates across the world. It seems to be one of the most resistant shrubs that thrive neglected in extreme and intense weather conditions. This colorful plant is quite easy to grow as well.
5. Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)
Coreopsis, also known as Tickseed, are hardy drought resistant flowers. They can be grown as an annual or perennial and they’re great for attracting birds, bees and butterflies to your garden.
Coreopsis flowers can be yellow, white, pink or red and you can get a second bloom if you deadhead the spent flowers.
6. Alliums (Allium Millenium)
Alliums are easy to grow perennial flowers that are perfect for dry climates. They flower in mid-summer and have large purple sphere shaped blooms.
7. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)
Echinacea, also known as Purple Coneflower, is an easy to grow perennial that requires very little maintenance. It blooms from summer until early fall and regular deadheading can prolong the flowering time.
Echinacea grows best in full sun and is mostly free of pests and diseases.
8. Trumpet Vine (Campsis)
Trumpet vine is a drought tolerant climbing vine with bright red and orange flowers. It grows well in warm and cool climates and can be planted in full sun or partial shade.
Trumpet vines are great for attracting hummingbirds to your garden and they can be grown on fences, trellises, arbors or pergolas.
9. Gazania
Gazanias are beautiful bright annual flowers that are perfect for dry or drought prone areas. They’re low maintenance flowers that don’t require too much water and they bloom from summer until fall.
10. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
They can add color and variety to your summer garden with their long blooming season. The fern-like leaves also are an asset, not to mention the medicinal value of the herb.
Grow yarrow in full sun, but make sure that it stays within limits. The flat-topped flower heads look good in flower arrangements, so keep cutting them off to reduce self-seeding.
11. Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia uvaria)
Red Hot Poker, also known as Torch Lily, is a beautiful bright perennial that is low maintenance and doesn’t require frequent watering.
They grow best in full sun and need plenty of space to spread out in the garden.
12. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii)
Butterfly bush is a drought tolerant deciduous shrub that doesn’t require much ongoing maintenance. It has long spiky flower heads that can be purple, pink, orange or white.
Butterfly bush can become invasive so it’s a good idea to remove the dead flower heads to stop the seeds spreading.
13. Lantana (Lantana camara)
The lantana is a hardy tropical plant, full-fledged for its fragrant colorful flowers. It mainly blooms throughout the spring and summer seasons, but, in warmer areas, it produces flowers year around.
The lantana tolerates heat and drought, and can be grown in any soil type. Its fragrant flowers attract all sorts of butterflies which vigorously pick up the lantana’s lively colors on their spidery wings, busy honey bees, and ‘footloose and fancy-free’ hummingbirds. This plant is also easy to grow in decorative planters. It grows well in USDA zones 7 to 11.
14. Euphorbia (Euphorbia spp.)
Euphorbia, also known as Spurge, is very easy to grow and will tolerate drought conditions and poor soil.
There are many different varieties of Euphorbia so there’s sure to be one to suit your garden.
15. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
Valerian is an easy to grow flowering herb that is very low maintenance. The plants will come back each year and they don’t require too much water, so they’re perfect for dry climates.
It can be grown as an annual or perennial, depending on the climate.