27 Drought Tolerant Native Wildflowers to Grow This Season

You don’t have to live in a drought-prone area to enjoy drought-tolerant wildflowers. Anyone can with the right conditions can grow these plants. But if you happen to live in a region that does experience periodic drought, you will definitely benefit from adding some drought-friendly native wildflowers to your garden!

Native plants are already well-adapted to the local and regional climate conditions, including temperatures and drought tolerance. Some drought-tolerant plants actually prefer moist soils but will tolerate some periods of dryness.

Adam’s needle is a widely cultivated yucca plant native to the central and eastern United States. This plant can grow quite large and will happily occupy a sunny spot in your yard for many years to come. Give it fast-draining soil and plenty of space because these plants will grow quite large and slowly multiply over time.

Adam’s needle blooms in mid-summer. The tall flower spikes are incredibly showy, and the white flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators.

The leaves are long, rigid, and pointed at the ends, forming a large and dense basal rosette. The leaves are evergreen and often edged with long thread-like filaments, giving the name Adam’s needle.

Anise Hyssop

	botanical name Agastache foeniculum
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 2 to 4 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 8

Anise hyssop has pleasantly fragrant leaves that are not bothered by deer or rabbits. This perennial herb does well in moist soils but is surprisingly drought-tolerant once established. Plants will spread by underground rhizomes and by self-seeding.

To control unwanted spreading, plant anise hyssop in a container, give it plenty of room to spread and naturalize, or be prepared to remove extra vegetative growth each year.

Anise hyssop is native to northern North America and blooms from late summer into fall. Its small lavender flowers are very attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. Plants can grow into dense colonies that are very showy in the mid to late-season flower garden.

Aromatic Aster

	botanical name Symphyotrichum oblongifolium
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 8

Aromatic aster is an aster variety that’s native to the central and northeastern United States. The showy pale purple flowers bloom from late summer into fall. The flowers bloom in large masses across the top of the plant and attract butterflies and seed-eating birds.

Aromatic aster does well in dry to medium-moisture soil, but mature plants tolerate drought and poor soil quality. The leaves are fragrant when crushed and are not bothered by deer or rabbits. This plant looks great in a sunny garden location and the flowers are also good for cutting.

Beardtongue ‘Husker Red’

	botanical name Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 8

Beardtongue is a perennial wildflower native to the eastern and central United States. ‘Husker Red’ is a cultivar with showy red stems and leaves.

The lower leaves are predominantly green while the upper leaves become progressively more tinged with maroon. White flower spikes bloom in late spring and attract a host of insect pollinators, as well as hummingbirds.

Beardtongue is an excellent plant for any perennial garden. Give it a sunny location with rich well-drained soil. These plants do very well in moist soil, but once they are well-established, are also tolerant of periodic drought. Plants will spread over time and are generally not bothered by deer or rabbits.

Black-eyed Susan

	botanical name Rudbeckia hirta
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 7

Black-eyed Susan is a familiar wildflower. A single array of bright yellow petals surround a brown central disk. The flowers bloom throughout the summer months and attract butterflies. In the fall, the ripe seeds are eaten by goldfinches. Plants are easily grown from seed and spread rapidly by self-seeding, naturalizing in a sunny garden plot.

Black-eyed Susan is native throughout much of North America. In the wild, these plants grow in open prairies and grasslands, as well as rocky glades and hillsides.

They prefer full sun but will tolerate some light shade. Black-eyed Susan is not too picky about soil quality and will tolerate both dry soils and consistently moist soils.

Blanket Flower

	botanical name Gaillardia pulchella
	plant type Annual
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 1.5 feet
	hardiness zones 2 to 11

Gaillardia is an annual wildflower native to the southern and eastern United States and Mexico. This plant grows readily from seed and will self-seed in the garden, so you will have a constant supply of these beautiful flowers. The flowers attract both birds and butterflies.

Blanket flower seeds need moisture to germinate, but once they get started, they are tolerant of drought. Deer and rabbits rarely bother these plants. The yellow-orange flowers make a beautiful display and a mass of blanket flowers in full bloom is quite spectacular.

Common Milkweed

	botanical name Asclepias syriaca
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

Common milkweed is native to central and eastern North America. It is found growing in a wide variety of environments, from moist low fields to dry prairies and roadsides. This plant does best in full sun and rich, moist, soil but is tolerant to periods of drought.

Anyone who wants to attract butterflies should have at least one variety of milkweed. All milkweeds have showy flowers which attract a multitude of butterflies and bees.

They are also the host plant for the Monarch butterfly caterpillar. Common milkweed has globe-like clusters of mauve-pink flowers that bloom in mid to late summer.

California Poppy

	botanical name Eschscholzia californica
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 1.5 feet
	hardiness zones 6 to 10

California poppy is easily grown from seed in any sunny, well-drained garden location. In cooler climates, it can be grown as an annual, and in warmer climates, as a short-lived perennial.

Plants readily self-seed and can spread aggressively in ideal conditions, so be prepared to manage any unwanted spread.

In mid-summer, California poppies burst into bloom. A large group of blooming poppies is a beautiful sight. The large, showy orange flowers are fairly short-lived but make nice cut flowers.  California poppy can be grown in containers and will tolerate some drought, but not wet soil.

Desert Four O’Clock

	botanical name Mirabilis multiflor
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.5 to 1 foot
	hardiness zones 3 to 8

Desert four o’clock is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It grows best in full sun with average, well-drained soil. It can be grown from seed or by dividing its large underground tubers. Established plants are tolerant of dry soils and drought.

Each winter, the desert four o’clock dies back to the ground and the dead above-ground vegetation can be removed. Plants emerge each spring and start to sprawl, making an effective ground cover. In mid to late summer, masses of showy pink flowers bloom and attract a variety of pollinators.

Eastern Beebalm

	botanical name Monarda bradburiana
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 1 to 2 feet
	hardiness zones 5 to 8

Eastern beebalm is a choice plant for a hummingbird or butterfly garden. This flowering perennial is a member of the mint family and has fragrant leaves and stems. The flowers bloom in late spring. The showy rounded clusters of pinkish-purple tubular flowers attract many pollinators.

Beebalm is native to the central and eastern United States and can be easily grown from seed. Plants grow quickly, forming large clusters, which are easily divided.

Grow beebalm in a naturalized area where it can spread freely or grow it in a large container. Plants are not bothered by deer or rabbits and are very tolerant of drought and poor soil quality.

Eastern Prickly Pear

	botanical name Opuntia humifusa
	plant type Cactus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.5 to 1 foot
	hardiness zones 4 to 9

Cactus are well-known as drought-tolerant plants, but not all cacti grow in the desert. The eastern prickly pear cactus is native to the central and eastern United States. It can be found growing in sandy areas, dry rocky hillsides, prairies, and glades. This plant needs full sun and dry, well-drained soil.

Eastern prickly pear cactus grows large, flattened pads with sparse clusters of long, sharp, spines. Between the clusters of spines, there are small tufts of tiny, very sharp spines that can be very painful if they become embedded in the skin.

Flowers bloom in the summer and attract bees and other pollinators. After blooming, large, red, fleshy fruits develop. These are also very showy and long-lasting. Deer and rabbits do not bother these plants.

Evening Primrose

	botanical name Oenothera biennis
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 3 to 5 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 9

Evening primrose is native to central and eastern North America where it grows along roadsides, disturbed areas, and grasslands. It is a biennial, developing a leafy rosette in its first year, and flowering in the second year.

Plants are easily grown from seed and will reseed themselves in the garden, for a continuous primrose population. Be prepared to do some regular thinning to keep populations in check.

Evening primrose blooms in late summer. The flowers grow along tall, upright spikes, but open only late in the day and overnight, and remain closed during the sunniest hours of the day. Plants grow well in full sun or partial shade. They also need well-drained soil and are tolerant of some drought.

Goldenrod ‘Golden Fleece’

	botanical name Solidago sphacelata ‘Golden Fleece’
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 1.5 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 8

If you are looking for a drought-tolerant wildflower for a dash of late-season color, goldenrod is a great choice. The ‘Golden Fleece’ Goldenrod blooms from late summer into fall. The bright yellow flowers bloom in tight clusters along the stems and attract butterflies and bees.

Some goldenrod plants grow rather large and unruly. ‘Golden Fleece’ is a more compact cultivar, growing into dense mounds of foliage.

Plants will naturalize and spread by underground rhizomes and by self-seeding. Deer don’t bother this plant, and it is also tolerant of drought and poor soil conditions.

Late Purple Aster

	botanical name Symphyotrichum patens
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 8

If you are interested in growing asters this season, you will have many wonderful choices to consider. The late purple aster is a medium-sized bushy perennial that appreciates plenty of space because it will spread. This aster is tolerant of sandy soils and drought. It’s also not bothered by deer or rabbits.

Late purple aster blooms from late summer until the first frost. The plants and foliage look like loose leafy green mounds for most of the summer, and then as other flowers are winding down, the aster flowers all seem to bloom at once.

Late purple aster flowers are pale purple with yellow centers. They make interesting cut flowers and also attract butterflies and bees.

Maximilian Sunflower

	botanical name Helianthus maximiliani
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3 to 10 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 9

If you are looking for a tall accent plant for your native perennial garden, try the Maximilian sunflower. This type of sunflower is native to the south-central United States and is found growing in dry grassy areas, including fields, glades, and roadsides.

Maximilian sunflower blooms from late summer into fall. The flowers attract butterflies and other insects, and the mature seed heads attract seed-eating birds.

The flowers are fairly large, up to 3 inches across, with yellow petals and a prominent darker yellow-brown central disk. The leaves are oblong and tapering to a point. This is a great plant to add some dramatic vertical height to your garden!

Moss Phlox

	botanical name Phlox subulata
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.25 to 0.5 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

Moss phlox is a low-growing wildflower and makes an excellent ground cover. Grow it in a rock garden, along a pathway, or as an attractive edging plant.

Moss phlox does best in full sun but will tolerate some light afternoon shade, particularly in hotter climates. Plants are tolerant of dry soil and periods of drought.

Moss phlox blooms in mid to late spring. The flowers are typically pale purple, but colors can also include white and shades of pink. The flowers attract early-season pollinators which include butterflies and bees. If plants start to look scraggly and unkempt, they can be pruned back to encourage more bushy growth.

Ohio Horsemint

	botanical name Blephilia ciliata
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 1 to 2.5 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 8

Ohio horsemint is a member of the mint family and has slightly fragrant leaves and square stems. This plant is native to the eastern United States where it can be found growing in grasslands and clearings and along roadsides.

Plants grow best in full sun but will tolerate some light shade. Soil should be well drained with dry to medium moisture.

Ohio horsemint can grow into a large mass of vegetation. Plants spread readily by underground rhizomes and self-seeding. Horsemint has a long blooming period and can bloom throughout the entire summer. The flowers are pale purple and attract a variety of pollinators.

Purple Coneflower

	botanical name Echinacea purpurea
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2 to 4 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 8

Purple coneflower plants are readily available at garden centers but can also be easily grown from seed. This plant is native to central and eastern North America where it is found in prairies, glades, and open grasslands.

Purple coneflower is tolerant of dry soils and periodic drought and is generally not bothered by deer or rabbits.

Purple coneflower is an excellent plant for a butterfly or bird garden. The large, showy purple flowers bloom throughout the summer months and attract butterflies and other pollinators. The mature seed heads are long-lasting and attract seed-eating birds. Purple coneflower also makes a nice cut flower.

Purple Poppy Mallow

	botanical name Callirhoe involucrata
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.5 to 1 foot
	hardiness zones 4 to 8

Purple poppy mallow is a low-growing perennial wildflower that makes an effective ground cover. Grow it in a rock garden, along a border, or in a larger naturalized area.

For most of the growing season, you can enjoy the mats of attractive foliage. In late spring or early summer, bright magenta-red poppy-like flowers burst into bloom.

Purple poppy mallow grows a long taproot, which makes it quite tolerant of drought. Start new plants from seed as they don’t transplant well. Established plants will self-seed and multiply in the garden. These plants are native to the central United States, where they can be found growing in rocky prairies and fields.

Rattlesnake Master

	botanical name Eryngium yuccifolium
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3 to 4 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 8

Rattlesnake master is a rather interesting wildflower. It blooms in late summer into fall, but the flowers are far from typical. Dense, prickly, greenish-white orbs comprise the flower heads. While they are not showy in the typical “flower” sense, they are still unique and interesting.

The flowers also attract many butterflies and insects. Leaves are long and thin, forming a yucca-like basal rosette.

Grow rattlesnake master in a wildflower garden, pollinator garden, or “unusual plants” display. It prefers full sun and rich soil. Plants form a long taproot, making them difficult to transplant unless they are very young, but they can also be grown from seed and will occasionally spread by self-seeding in the garden.

Rose Verbena

	botanical name Glandularia canadensis
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.5 to 1.5 feet
	hardiness zones 5 to 9

Rose verbena, also called rose mock vervain, is native to central and eastern North America. Plants grow readily from seed and will spread by self-seeding in the garden.

Rose verbena grows best in full sun and average, well-drained soil. Once established, they are tolerant of drought, dry soil, and generally poor soil conditions.

Throughout the summer, rose verbena blooms with clusters of showy light pinkish-purple flowers. The flowers attract butterflies and other insects. This low-growing plant makes an effective ground cover and would be an excellent addition to a rock garden, pollinator garden, or cottage garden.

Scarlet Globemallow

	botanical name Sphaeralcea coccinea
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.5 to 1 foot
	hardiness zones 6 to 8

Scarlet globemallow is at home in warm dry climates. This plant is native to the western United States where it is found growing in dry fields, rocky areas, and roadsides. Scarlet globemallow thrives in full sun and average-quality soil that is dry and very well drained.

Scarlet globemallow is a low-growing plant that is shrubby in its growth habits. Plants will spread and naturalize in ideal conditions, making an attractive display.

Flowers bloom in the springtime and are showy and bright orange. The leaves are silvery green and covered with soft fine hairs.

Spotted Beebalm

	botanical name Monarda punctata
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 1.5 to 2 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 8

Spotted beebalm is related to mint and has fragrant leaves and stems. These plants are not bothered by deer or rabbits, but pollinators love them. The flowers themselves are green and inconspicuous, but colorful pale purple bracts are showy and quite attractive.

Spotted beebalm does best in full sun but will tolerate some light shade. This plant will grow and spread readily from self-seeding, so be prepared to control unwanted growth, as needed. Plants may tend to sprawl, and taller stems may flop over, especially when grown in the shade.

Threadleaf coreopsis

	botanical name Coreopsis verticillata
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2.5 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

Threadleaf coreopsis is a pretty wildflower with very thin leaves, adding some diversity to the typical garden foliage. In late summer, yellow flowers bloom, attracting butterflies. Plants are easily grown from seed and will self-seed in the garden.

Sow seeds directly into the garden in early spring. Grow threadleaf coreopsis in full sun with well-drained soil. Plants are tolerant of poor soil quality, dry soil, and drought.

If plants sprawl too much and look messy by mid to late summer, they can be pruned back. Removing spent flowers will also help reduce spreading by self-seeding.

White Sage ‘Silver King’

	botanical name Artemisia ludoviciana ‘Silver King’
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 9

White sage is a shrubby perennial wildflower that thrives in dry areas with poor soil. Grow it in full sun with average to poor-quality soil. Ideally, grow white sage in a location with plenty of room to spread, or try growing it in a container, as plants will multiply quickly by underground rhizomes and self-seeding.

White sage ‘Silver King’ is a garden cultivar with attractive, fragrant, silvery foliage. Plants will form dense clusters and are not bothered by deer or rabbits. Sage flowers are not particularly showy, as they are small and lack petals, but the flowers still add some shape and texture to the landscape.

Wild Indigo

	botanical name Baptisia tinctoria
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

Wild indigo, or yellow wild indigo, is native to the eastern United States and is found growing in open grasslands. It tolerates poor soil as well as dry soil and drought.

It prefers a location with full sun and will plants will slowly grow and expand and will eventually become shrub-like. Prune them as needed to keep them more compact.

Wild Indigo has clover-like leaves growing along semi-woody stems. Flowers are yellow and pealike, blooming in late spring. The flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators. Large, showy seed pods linger on the plants long after blooming.

Yarrow

	botanical name Achillea millefolium
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

Yarrow is a very widespread wildflower that grows well in many conditions. It is tolerant of dry soils and drought and is not bothered by deer or rabbits. Yarrow makes a good ground cover, grows well in containers, and is great for growing along borders and edges.

Yarrow has fine fern-like leaves that are very attractive throughout the growing season. From mid-summer into fall, clusters of small flowers bloom, attracting butterflies and other pollinators.

The native yarrow plants have white flowers, but there are many cultivars with colorful blooms, including shades of yellow, orange, and pink.