45 Drought Tolerant Plants For Dry Climates

If you tend to think of dry, arid climates as suitable only for cacti, you may be surprised how many plants adapt well to drought. Whether you live in a drought-prone area or simply want garden plants that don’t require regular watering, you have many options to choose from.

Cacti, of course, adapt very well to arid climates, but many other species also grow well. A variety of grasses, herbs, flowers, and shrubs make excellent choices for a drought-tolerant landscape. Some plants may require a little extra care when first planted and getting established, but once they develop a strong root system, they become much more resilient to adverse environmental conditions.

Some plants have developed adaptations to help them survive arid conditions. Drought-tolerant plants may have one or several of the following characteristics: protective waxy leaves, small leaves that prevent water loss, water-hoarding succulent leaves and stems, or long taproots that seek out deeper layers of soil moisture.

As you look through the following list of drought-tolerant plants, you will probably see some familiar options and some that are less familiar but equally worthy of attention. All of these choices suit xeriscape gardening, a form of landscaping that conserves water. Use plants with different shapes, heights, colors, and textures to really make your drought-tolerant garden shine!

Adam’s needle, often simply called yucca, is one of many varieties of yucca that tolerate drought. This plant stays evergreen all year and is cold hardy to zone 5, making it suitable for many regions. Not only does it have low water needs, Adam’s needle is an overall low-maintenance plant that is easy to grow with almost no effort.

In the summer, Adam’s needle produces tall spikes of showy white flowers. The flowers attract butterflies and last a long time on the plant.

The long, sword-like leaves are often lined with thin fibrous filaments, giving them a more textured appearance. This plant slowly spreads over time by basal offshoots, so give it plenty of space to grow.

Agave ‘Blue Glow’

	botanical name Agave ‘Blue Glow’
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 2 feet
	hardiness zones 9 to 11

There are many varieties of agave, and ‘Blue Glow’ is an attractive drought-tolerant plant that grows well in arid climates. The leaves are broad and green with a dark reddish edging, tapering to a sharp tip. Grow agaves in loose, well-drained, sandy or gritty soil in a location with full sunlight.

Agave is also known as century plant because it grows slowly and rarely blooms, but it doesn’t typically take a century to reach maturity. Plants growing in ideal conditions outdoors may bloom once in a 10- to 15-year period.

A blooming plant sends up a single tall flower stalk. After flowering, the plant dies, but it will probably have grown a few basal offshoots by this time, and you will still have plants to continue growing.

Bearberry

	botanical name Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 0.5 to 1 foot
	hardiness zones 2 to 6

Bearberry is an excellent drought-tolerant plant for cooler climates. You can easily grow it from seed, and it performs best in dry, well-drained, sandy, or gritty soil. Give it plenty of sunlight, and it will develop into a dense, leafy, low-growing ground cover.

Bearberry has tough, waxy leaves. In spring, it blooms with a multitude of little bell-shaped flowers that are white with a hint of pink. By mid to late summer, dark red berries form, which a variety of fruit-eating birds enjoy. If wildlife doesn’t eat the berries, they remain on the plants through the winter.

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 adapts well to its native dry grasslands and prairies and thrives in full sun. Rudbeckia tolerates drought but benefits from occasional deep watering if natural rainfall is particularly sparse.

Black-eyed Susan is a short-lived perennial wildflower. You can easily grow it from seed, and established plants readily self-seed, so you don’t need to worry about buying more.

The flowers are cheerful and bright yellow and attract butterflies and bees. A large patch of black-eyed Susans in full bloom is quite eye-catching!

Blue Fescue ‘Elijah Blue’

	botanical name Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’
	plant type Ornamental grass
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.75 to 1 foot
	hardiness zones 4 to 8

Ornamental grasses are an excellent option for xeriscaping. Blue fescue does well in full sun with dry to medium moisture and well-drained soil. This plant is cold hardy, and in areas with milder winters, it may stay evergreen all winter. In colder climates, leaves turn brown and die back.

Blue fescue is a smaller ornamental grass. It forms neat clusters that need dividing every few years to keep them looking nice. You can plant clusters relatively close together because this grass doesn’t get too large or spread aggressively. Although the flowers are rather insignificant to look at, the leaves are silvery bluish-green and quite attractive.

Blue Oat Grass

	botanical name Helictotrichon sempervirens
	plant type Ornamental grass
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 8

Ornamental grasses add diversity and interest to the xeriscape garden. This densely bunching grass does best in full sun with dry to medium-moisture soil. Soil can be of average quality but should be well drained. Blue oat grass is versatile and works in a container, as an accent or border plant, or alongside other grasses, perennials, or shrubs.

Blue oat grass is an attractive plant. The silvery greenish-blue foliage stays evergreen in warmer climates but dies back in areas with colder winters.

The foliage contrasts nicely with other plants. In midsummer, tall flowering stems emerge. The individual flowers are not especially showy, but in a dense cluster, they create a nice display.

California Lilac

	botanical name Ceanothus ‘Concha’
	plant type Broadleaf evergreen
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 4 to 8 feet
	hardiness zones 7 to 10

Despite its appearance, the California lilac is not a true lilac. Similar to lilacs, however, it produces dense masses of fragrant purple flowers. The flowers bloom from late spring into early summer and attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. The tough, waxy leaves provide evergreen foliage.

Plant the California lilac in a sunny site with well-drained soil. This plant grows deep, thick roots that help it withstand dry conditions. It does need occasional watering if regular rainfall doesn’t occur.

There are different cultivars of California lilac, some of which grow quite large and others that stay relatively small, so you can choose the shrub size that best fits your needs.

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 a beautiful, low-maintenance perennial that suits arid climates well. These plants thrive in full sun with sandy, well-drained soil. They do, however, like some regular moisture, so you may need to water them occasionally if you do not receive regular rainfall.

The California poppy is a short-lived perennial, but it readily reseeds itself if you don’t deadhead the flowers. The flowers bloom in midsummer and are quite showy. The bright orange-yellow blooms look especially attractive when you grow plants in a large cluster.

Catmint

	botanical name Nepeta racemosa
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 2 to 2.5 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 8

This member of the mint family has characteristic square stems and a fragrant leaf and flower. Like many other mints, catmint is a vigorous grower that can spread rapidly by self-seeding. Once established, it tolerates dry soils and full sun and is not bothered by deer or rabbits.

Catmint blooms anytime from late spring through early fall. The flowers are small and tubular, light purple, and bloom along tall spikes. The leaves are pale green, have a slightly quilted texture, and are covered with soft fine hairs that make them slightly soft to the touch.

Creeping Thyme

	botanical name Thymus serpyllum
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.25 to 0.5 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 8

Creeping thyme is an ornamental and fragrant drought-tolerant ground cover. It typically spreads outward, its small leaves staying evergreen in warmer climates for year-round greenery. Showy purple flower clusters bloom in midsummer and attract butterflies and other insects.

Creeping thyme is equally at home in an herb garden, rock garden, perennial border, or container. It is a low-maintenance plant that tolerates some dry soil.

Give it a drink during prolonged drought, but make sure the soil drains well, as this plant does not like to stay wet. A large patch of creeping thyme in full bloom is very attractive.

Cushion Spurge

	botanical name Euphorbia polychroma
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 1.5 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 8

Cushion spurge is a perky plant with upright stems and cheerful yellow flowers. The flowers bloom in mid to late spring and attract a variety of pollinators. Plants grown in full sun form compact mounds of vegetation that are attractive on their own, and in the fall, the leaves turn yellow-orange.

Grow cushion spurge in full sun. Soil should be loose and well drained, and plants are quite tolerant of poor-quality soils. Spurge tends to self-seed and spread rapidly, so prepare to give it plenty of space to grow, deadhead spent blooms, or remove unwanted seedlings each spring.

Desert Spoon

	botanical name Dasylirion wheeleri
	plant type Broadleaf evergreen
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 4 to 8 feet
	hardiness zones 7 to 10

Desert spoon truly looks like it belongs in the desert. This plant forms a dense rosette of thin, spiky leaves. The tough, evergreen leaves provide year-round interest.

Leaves are a silvery green color, and flower stalks are very tall with a thick mass of tan to off-white flowers. The flowers attract insects and other pollinators.

Desert spoon adapts very well to droughts and arid conditions. Plant it in full sun and it will thrive in your xeriscape garden. Soil should be sandy or gritty and very well drained. You will probably never need to water it, as it is already adapted to its native desert environment.

Dragon’s Blood Sedum

	botanical name Sedum spurium ‘Dragon’s Blood’
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.25 inches
	hardiness zones 4 to 8

If you are looking for an attractive drought-tolerant ground cover, look no further. Dragon’s Blood sedum is a sweet, low-growing succulent plant that makes a great ground cover for edges and borders, rock gardens, or even as a space filler in containers.

Grow it in full sun with well-drained soil. Give it plenty of room to fill in, as it spreads fairly quickly into a dense leafy mat.

Dragon’s Blood sedum has pale green leaves tinged by pink. In midsummer, dense clusters of dark pink flowers emerge from the ends of the leafy stems. Leaves remain evergreen throughout the year, adding plenty of winter gardening interest. Browsing mammals typically don’t bother this plant.

Drumstick Allium

	botanical name Allium sphaerocephalon
	plant type Bulb
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 8

Drumstick allium, also known as round-headed leek, is an ornamental allium and a member of the onion family. This bulb is an excellent choice for a xeriscape garden, herb garden, or perennial garden. It grows best in full sun with dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil. Grazing herbivores generally don’t bother these plants.

Drumstick allium has thin, fragrant leaves that grow rather sparsely from the bulb base. In the summer months, however, a large spherical pinkish-purple flowerhead emerges.

The flower is showy and attracts butterflies and other pollinators. Plant drumstick allium in clusters of at least 10 bulbs for the showiest flower display.

Eastern Blue Star

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

Eastern blue star is a pretty perennial wildflower that is fairly drought tolerant. This low-maintenance plant grows well in average, well-drained soils and does best in full sun, although it also tolerates partial shade. While eastern blue star handles some drought, you should water it periodically during extended dry periods.

This drought-tolerant native wildflower has showy flowers that bloom in late spring. Loose clusters of pale blue, five-pointed star-shaped flowers add a delicate floral accompaniment to the oblong, pointed green leaves. In the fall, leaves change to an attractive seasonal yellow coloration.

Fringed Sage

	botanical name Artemisia frigida
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3 to 8
	hardiness zones 0.5 to 1.5 feet

Fringed sage, also commonly called prairie sagewort, produces dense masses of frilly silvery-green foliage. This plant grows in clusters with upright semi-woody stems.

The leaves and stems are both very aromatic and are not bothered by browsing herbivores. Small yellow flowers bloom in midsummer but are not particularly showy.

Fringed sage is a great choice for a naturalized drought-resistant landscape. Plant it in full sun with loamy, well-drained soil. This easy-to-grow, low-maintenance plant responds well to pruning if it starts looking scraggly. Cut off any dead or overgrown stems to keep it bushy and compact.

Furman’s Red Sage

	botanical name Salvia greggii ‘Furman’s Red’
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1.5 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 6 to 10

Furman’s Red sage is a brightly blooming plant for drought-resistant gardening. This sage has a long blooming period, extending from midsummer until fall. Bright red flowers attract hummingbirds and insects. The vegetation is fragrant, evergreen, and resistant to browsing deer and rabbits.

Plant Furman’s Red sage in a sunny location. This low-maintenance plant makes an excellent addition to an herb garden, rock garden, or mixed perennial garden, or you can grow it in a container. Soil should be loose and well drained. Once established, this salvia is quite tolerant of hot and dry conditions.

Hens and Chicks

	botanical name Sempervivum spp.
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.25 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 9

There are many types of hens and chicks (genus Sempervivum), and any would make a good choice for a drought-tolerant garden. These low-growing evergreen plants slowly spread to become a small colony of compact rosettes, with larger plants (the hens) sending out runners with smaller plants (chicks) at the ends.

Hens and chicks grow best in full sun with loose, gritty, well-drained soil. This is an excellent plant for a rock garden, xeriscape garden, or along a dry border.

Plants bloom in midsummer with little clusters of flowers from the centers of the larger rosettes. With or without flowers, hens and chicks are a fun addition to the home garden.

Ice Plant

	botanical name Delosperma cooperi
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.25 to 0.5 feet
	hardiness zones 6 to 10

Ice plant is a very low-maintenance plant that thrives in dry soil and full sun. It makes an effective ground cover and spreads readily, but it is not difficult to control. Soil should be well drained and generally dry. Leaves remain evergreen throughout the year.

Ice plant grows low and makes an attractive choice for borders and edges, along walkways or walls, or anywhere a low cluster of greenery would be appreciated. In mid to late summer, ice plant blooms with bright pink flowers. These very showy flowers are hard to miss, and coupled with the thick succulent leaves, this little plant is a winner in the garden.

Jerusalem Sage

	botanical name Phlomis fruticosa
	plant type Broadleaf evergreen
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2 to 4 feet
	hardiness zones 8 to 10

Jerusalem sage is an evergreen plant with semi-woody stems. Growing between two and four feet tall and three to five feet wide, this plant has a very shrub-like stature. The leaves are fuzzy and pale green. From late spring through early summer, Jerusalem sage produces clusters of downward-curving, showy, bright yellow flowers.

In cooler climates, Jerusalem sage can still grow, but the entire plant may die back to the ground each year. As long as the roots survive, vegetative growth reappears in spring. In warmer climate zones, stems and leaves remain evergreen throughout the year.

Many herbs are drought tolerant, and lavender is no exception. Lavender has fragrant silvery-green leaves and semi-woody stems.

Leaves remain evergreen in warmer climates but may die off and regrow in the cooler parts of their range. Tiny purple flowers bloom in the summer months and attract butterflies and other pollinators.

Grow lavender in full sun. This plant needs average-quality, well-drained soil. It does not do well in areas with high humidity and constantly moist soils, as it is prone to mildew and rot. This drought-tolerant plant is an excellent candidate for containers, a rock garden, herb garden, or mixed perennial plantings.

Lavender Cotton

	botanical name Santolina chamaecyparissus
	plant type Broadleaf evergreen
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 2 feet
	hardiness zones 6 to 9

This interesting little plant has tiny silvery-green leaves that are both fragrant and evergreen. The leaves grow densely along low-growing stems that branch and sprawl, making this an excellent ground cover. Pale yellow flowers bloom atop taller stems during the midsummer months, providing a showy display.

In cooler climates, you can still grow lavender cotton, but as an annual. In zones 6 through 9, it is an evergreen perennial, adding some garden interest during the winter months.

Grow lavender cotton in a location with full sun and very well-drained soil. If it starts to sprawl too much and looks messy, prune it back to help maintain more compact growth.

Lead Plant

	botanical name Amorpha canescens
	plant type Deciduous shrub
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 2 to 9

This is an appealing drought-tolerant shrub that does well in dry locations. Plant it in full sun with average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil. In cold winters, the above-ground parts of the plant may die back, but it regrows the following spring.

This native plant adapts well to dry conditions and makes a valuable addition to a xeriscape garden.

Silvery green leaves are pinnately compound and have an almost fern-like appearance. From midsummer to mid-fall, lead plant produces long spikes of purple flowers that attract butterflies and birds. Although lead plant doesn’t get very tall, it can grow to look rather unruly. If this happens, prune it back to encourage denser growth.

Licorice Plant

	botanical name Helichrysum petiolare
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.5 to 1 foot
	hardiness zones 9 to 11

If you live in hardiness zones 9 through 11, you can grow licorice plants as perennials. Otherwise, it’s still worth growing as an annual.

This fast-growing trailing plant makes an effective ground cover in a rock garden, herb garden, or xeriscape, and also serves as an excellent candidate for container gardening. If growing in a container, you can take cuttings in the fall, root them indoors, and plant them out again the following spring.

Licorice plant has soft, velvety leaves that are pale green in color. Leaves are aromatic with a hint of licorice. Flowers are small and white, blooming in clusters during midsummer, although they are not particularly showy. This plant thrives in full sun with average-quality, well-drained soil.

Lindheimer’s Beeblossom

	botanical name Gaura lindheimeri
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3 to 5 feet
	hardiness zones 5 to 9

Lindheimer’s beeblossom is an herbaceous perennial that can grow rather tall and bushy. It looks at home in a naturalized area where it can grow to its full potential with other native plants and wildflowers.

From late summer until mid-fall, Lindheimer’s beeblossom blooms, producing an abundance of showy white flowers that slowly fade to pink.

Grow Lindheimer’s beeblossom in a location with full sun. Make sure it has well-drained soil that is sandy or loamy. This plant develops a long taproot, making it quite tolerant of drought, but during extended dry spells, it still appreciates an occasional drink of water. Prune if plants get too tall and leggy.

Mexican Cardinal Flower

	botanical name Lobelia laxiflora
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 9 to 11

The native range of the Mexican cardinal flower extends from southern Arizona into Mexico, making it well adapted to hot, dry climates. This plant does well in full sun but also likes some afternoon shade. Soil should be well drained.

Young plants require more water, and established plants become more drought-resistant, though they still appreciate regular deep waterings.

Mexican cardinal flower is a very attractive plant. It grows upright stems up to about three feet tall. Plants slowly spread and can be divided as needed or allowed to naturalize in a larger area. Stems are lined with thin, dark green leaves. Bright red tubular flowers bloom from mid to late summer and are a favorite of hummingbirds.

Mojave Sage

	botanical name Salvia pachyphylla
	plant type Evergreen perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 5 to 10

Mojave sage is a colorful plant that is easy to grow and tolerant of drought and arid conditions. Plant this sage in full sun in an herb garden, rock garden, xeriscape, or with other perennials. You can also grow it in a container. Soil should be of average quality, low to medium moisture, and well drained.

Mojave sage has silvery pale green leaves with a distinctive aroma. Leaves grow along upright stems. These plants have a long blooming period and produce very showy flower clusters all summer.

The flowers are purplish-blue and develop in long upright clusters surrounded by showy pinkish-purple bracts. The flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees.

There are many cultivars of yarrow. ‘Moonshine’ develops a dense mass of bright yellow flowers from mid to late summer. The flowers are very showy and attract butterflies and other insects. Yarrow also makes a good, long-lasting cut flower.

‘Moonshine’ yarrow grows well in dry conditions and full sun. Soil should be loose and well drained. This plant grows vigorously by runners, and the silvery-green, fern-like leaves make a good ground cover. If yarrow becomes too dense, the clumps can be easily divided every few years.

Narrowleaf Evening-primrose

	botanical name Oenothera fruticosa
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1.5 to 2.5 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 8

Narrowleaf evening-primrose is a perennial wildflower native to eastern North America. Although you might associate it with wetter and more humid climates, it tolerates dry soils and occasional drought.

This low-maintenance plant does best in full sun and well-drained soil. If the leaves die back after flowering, simply prune them back to the basal rosette, and they should regrow the following spring.

This plant produces showy yellow flowers from midsummer until fall. Flowers are bright yellow, and while each individual flower is short-lived, the plant produces many flowers in succession over several weeks.

Despite its name, the narrowleaf evening-primrose blooms during the daytime. Plants spread over time by self-seeding and by vegetative growth. You can easily divide overgrown clumps as needed.

Pink Muhlygrass

	botanical name Muhlenbergia capillaris
	plant type Ornamental grass
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 5 to 9

Pink muhlygrass is a very showy ornamental grass that tolerates a wide range of conditions but prefers full sun and dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil. This plant makes a great addition to a rock garden, perennial garden, xeriscape, or any sunny location in need of an accent grass.

From spring until early fall, pink muhlygrass grows in a dense clump of long, thin, tubular, green leaves. In early autumn, it shoots up a number of taller flower heads. The flowers bloom all together, creating a fine pink haze across the top of the plant.

A large clump or cluster of muhlygrass in full bloom is a very appealing sight. This plant reproduces by self-seeding, and you can divide and transplant clumps if they become too large.

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

Poppy mallow, also known as purple poppy mallow or winecups, is a pretty native wildflower that performs well in dry conditions. This is a great choice for a drought-tolerant garden, rock garden, or native wildflower garden. Plant poppy mallow in full sun with average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil.

This low-maintenance perennial is quite showy and worthy of attention. It has deeply lobed, bright green leaves with slightly hairy stems. From late spring into early summer, poppy mallow bursts into bloom. The flowers are very showy in a bright, deep fuchsia or maroon color.

Prickly Pear

	botanical name Opuntia spp
	plant type Cactus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.5 to 15 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 10

There are several species of prickly pear cactus, each native to a different region and each growing to a different height. The smaller varieties are low-growing and typically stay under one foot tall. The larger varieties, however, can reach a whopping 15 feet tall. They all grow best in full sun and dry, gritty soil.

Prickly pear cacti have thick, flattened evergreen pads with an abundance of sharp spines. Between the obvious longer spines are clusters of tiny spines that can be very painful if they become embedded in the skin.

Despite its obvious (and not so obvious) hazards, this cactus is worthy of growing in the xeriscape landscape. The flowers are large and showy, blooming in an array of bright colors, including yellow, orange, and pink.

Prickly Thrift

	botanical name Acantholimon glumaceum
	plant type Broadleaf evergreen
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.25 to 0.5 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 8

Prickly thrift is an unusual-looking plant. It has tiny, pointy, evergreen leaves. The leaves are pale silvery green and stay in low bunches close to the ground. In early summer, linear spikes of little pale pink trumpet-shaped flowers appear. A mass of prickly thrift in full bloom is quite showy.

This is an excellent bunching ground cover for a rock garden, xeriscape garden, or other dry edge or border. Plant prickly thrift in a location with full sun and dry to medium moisture soil. Soil should be well-drained and can be gravelly or gritty.

Purple Lovegrass

	botanical name Eragrostis spectabilis
	plant type Ornamental grass
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 2 feet
	hardiness zones 5 to 9

Purple lovegrass is a clump-forming ornamental grass that looks great planted in multiples. A single plant makes an attractive addition to the xeriscape garden, but a cluster of many plants creates a spectacular autumn haze while in bloom.

The leafy green clumps of summer become covered with a dense, cloudy blanket of delicate pink-tinged flowers. The plants provide excellent cover for ground-dwelling birds, which also forage for the seeds during autumn and winter.

Plant purple lovegrass in full sun. This plant prefers dry, sandy, or loamy soil. It can tolerate a range of inhospitable conditions, including heat, sun, and drought. This plant spreads and can be propagated by division as well as self-seeding.

Rattlesnake Master

	botanical name Eryngium yuccifolium
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2 to 5 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 8

Rattlesnake master is an interesting plant to grow. It makes a wonderful addition to a xeriscape garden, rock garden, or mixed perennial planting.

This plant grows a long taproot, making it difficult to transplant but well adapted to drought. Grow rattlesnake master in full sun with average, dryish, well-drained soil.

Rattlesnake master looks a bit like a yucca, with a rosette of long, slender leaves that are serrated along the edges. In midsummer, a tall flower stalk develops, producing several spiky, greenish-white, orb-like flowers. The flowers are not showy in the traditional sense, but they are quite unique and attract pollinators.

Rose Moss

	botanical name Portulaca grandiflora
	plant type Annual
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.25 to 0.75 feet
	hardiness zones 2 to 11

Rose moss is an annual that is widely available and easily grown in dry locations. Plant it in a rock garden, along borders and edges, as a temporary ground cover, or in a container. This plant does best in full sun with well-drained, average-quality soils. Although it is an annual, rose moss may self-seed in favorable conditions.

Rose moss works commonly as a ground cover. Plants are vigorous and low-growing, creating a summertime carpet of tiny green leaves along trailing stems.

Plants bloom in early summer and continue blooming until the first frost. Flowers are very showy and come in many colors, including pink, red, orange, yellow, and white.

Russian Sage

	botanical name Perovskia atriplicifolia
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3 to 5 feet
	hardiness zones 5 to 9

This herbaceous to semi-woody perennial does well in sunny, warm, dry conditions. Its fragrant leaves resist deer and rabbits. The fragrant flowers bloom from midsummer until mid-fall and attract butterflies and other pollinators. Flowers develop along tall, sprawling spikes and are small but very showy, especially en masse, covering the plant with light purplish-blue blossoms.

This plant looks great in any xeriscape garden, herb garden, or rock garden. Grow it alongside other perennials or in a large container. Soil should be loose and very well drained.

If the plant becomes too large or scraggly looking, give it a heavy pruning in spring to keep it more compact. Russian sage also spreads by root suckers. You can leave these to naturalize a larger area, divide and transplant them, or simply remove them as needed.

Sea Holly

	botanical name Eryngium planum ‘Blaukappe’
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1.5 to 2 feet
	hardiness zones 5 to 8

Sea holly is a very interesting-looking plant. Large rosettes of extremely spiky leaves give rise to tall flowering stems. At the top of the flowering stems sit the most unusual-looking flowers. These are spiky orbs with showy bracts that range in color from pale silvery green to lavender and attract pollinators.

Not only is sea holly fascinating to look at, it’s also easy to grow. It does best in full sun with dry, loamy, well-drained soil. Sea holly, like other eryngiums, develops a deep taproot, which makes it both very drought tolerant and difficult to transplant once established.

Shasta Daisy

	botanical name Leucanthemum x superbum ‘Snowcap’
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 2 feet
	hardiness zones 5 to 9

Don’t let the variety name ‘Snowcap’ fool you; this shasta daisy adapts well to hot and dry conditions. Plant shasta daisy in full sun with dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil.

Shasta daisies are short-lived perennials and can also grow as annuals. They readily reseed themselves and keep their place in the garden, even though individual plants may die back every few years.

Shasta daisy is a low-maintenance plant. It resists browsing herbivores, and the flowers attract pollinators. Blooming in the summer months, flowers are showy with a very traditional white daisy-like appearance and bold yellow centers.

Slender Mountain Mint

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

Slender mountain mint is a beautiful mint plant with thin green leaves and a sweetly minty fragrance. In midsummer, clusters of tiny white flowers bloom, attracting numerous butterflies, bees, and other insects. Because of their minty scent, deer and rabbits don’t bother them.

Choose a location with full sun for these plants to grow more compactly. They tolerate light shade but tend to sprawl and get leggy. Soil should be loose and well drained. This plant works well in a meadow garden or other naturalized area, an herb garden, or with any low-maintenance perennial arrangement.

Sunset Hyssop

	botanical name Agastache rupestris
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 10

Sunset hyssop is a beautiful plant to add to your xeriscape landscape. Leaves are fine and feathery, giving it a delicate appearance. From midsummer into fall, sunset hyssop blooms with a multitude of small, tubular flowers. Flowers are reddish-orange and attract hummingbirds and a variety of insects.

Sunset hyssop thrives in a location with full sun and well-drained soil. This plant adapts well to the arid xeriscape landscape. It is easy to grow and low-maintenance. Prune any dead stems to ground level to keep the plant bushy and attractive.

Trumpet Vine

	botanical name Campsis radicans
	plant type Vine
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 25 to 40 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 9

Although trumpet vine is native to the humid southeastern United States, it does surprisingly well as part of a xeriscape garden. A well-established plant tolerates drought and does well in hot, dry locations. This perennial climbing vine has bright orange flowers.

During extended dry periods, give it an occasional hearty drink of water. The long, tubular, deep orange flowers attract hummingbirds.

Trumpet vine tolerates many growing conditions and spreads by underground runners and self-seeding. This vigorous climbing vine needs some sort of upright structure upon which to grow. Trumpet vine can grow up into a tree, along a fence or wall, or over an arbor or trellis.

Turquoise Tails Blue Sedum

	botanical name Sedum sediforme
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.25 to 0.5 feet
	hardiness zones 5 to 10

Turquoise tails blue sedum is a low-growing succulent ground cover. As it spreads, it forms a mat of tiny greenish-blue foliage along creeping stems.

Flowers bloom in the summer months as upright clusters of pale yellow flowers. The flowers attract butterflies and other insects, while browsing herbivores leave the plants alone.

Turquoise tails blue sedum grows best in a location with full sun. This plant thrives in average-quality, well-drained soils with dry to medium moisture. Sedum is an excellent choice for a xeriscape garden, rock garden, or along borders and edges. The foliage is attractive on its own and remains evergreen throughout the year.

Whale’s Tongue Agave

	botanical name Agave ovatifolia
	plant type Broadleaf evergreen
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 7 to 11

Whale’s tongue agave has thick, broad, evergreen leaves that grow in a large leafy rosette. Each leaf is edged with stout spines, so handle this plant with care.

The foliage is silvery green and very eye-catching. This plant can grow quite large, as much as four to six feet across at maturity, so allow it plenty of space to grow. Plant it in full sun with average, dry, well-drained soil.

If you are lucky enough to convince your whale’s tongue agave to flower, prepare for a stunning sight! The flower stalks may grow to 14 feet tall and are immensely thick and sturdy. This plant flowers only once, between 10 and 20 years of age, and after flowering, the leaves die. Plants reproduce by seeds and offshoots.

Wild Bergamot

	botanical name Monarda fistulosa
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 2 to 4 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

Wild bergamot is an attractive native plant that is surprisingly drought tolerant. This plant grows naturally in dry prairie soils and adapts well to full sun and low water. It does best in an area with good air circulation, as it is prone to powdery mildew.

Wild bergamot is a member of the mint family and has square stems and aromatic leaves and flowers. The flowers are tubular and pale purple and bloom in dense clusters. Flowers bloom from mid to late summer and attract many pollinators, including hummingbirds and butterflies.