29 Drought Tolerant Shade Perennials For Dry Climates

Many drought tolerant shade perennials thrive in various soil types and circumstances. These plants can also have vibrant colors, even when not exposed to direct sunshine. Your whole yard can be brimming with vivid colors and lovely textures, even if you live in a more arid climate.

Drought tolerant perennials are great for desert and high desert areas that may consider a xeriscape landscape. Even some areas of more tropical locations that don’t get quite as much rain will benefit from a few perennials that don’t need as much water, as long as there is some shade. They are also great for gardeners that are just looking for a plant that’s a little bit more hands off.

So, if you have a shady area of your yard, AND you don’t get a lot of rain, any one of the following perennials in this list should suit your needs, provided you fall into the right hardiness zone. Let’s take a look at our favorite drought tolerant perennials that thrive in the shade!

Ajuga

Scientific Name: Ajuga reptans

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: Europe, Northern Africa, and Southwest Asia
• Plant Size: 0.6” to 1′
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to full shade
• Plant Zone: 3-10

Ajuga is a fantastic ground cover for open areas, such as slopes or natural forest surroundings, because of its dense foliage. It has low-growing light green leaves interspersed with younger purple-colored foliage, giving it a unique appearance.

The leaves of the Ajuga plant are very beautiful. They bloom from spring through summer. As a result, this plant is a magnet for songbirds, bees, and hummingbirds, among other creatures.

Begonia

Scientific Name: Begonia

• Plant Type: Warm Climate Perennial or Annual
• Geographic Mexico and Central America
• Plant Size: 1′ to 1’6”
• Sun Exposure: Full shade to partial shade
• Plant Zone: 10 to 11

Beginning to blossom, Begonias feature thick, succulent-like leaves and stalks. Depending on the climate, they may be grown both inside and outdoors in bright, indirect light. There are many types of begonias to choose from, depending on your goals, and your climate.

Colors of begonias range from pink to red to white to yellow to multicolored and include a variety of shades in between. It’s poisonous to humans, and deadly to horses, cats, and dogs because of its poisonous roots and flowers.

Bigroot Geranium

Scientific Name: Geranium macrorrhizum

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: Eastern North America from Quebec to Florida to Louisiana
• Plant Size: 1′ to 3′
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Plant Zone: 3 to 8

Plants that bloom from early to late spring and remain active until mid-summer are perennial geraniums. Cranesbill is a common name for these plants, and it comes from the seedpods that they produce.

Geraniums are like well-drained soil, and they will wilt if the soil gets too wet. Therefore, plants with longer stems may be cut down to the point where the leaf growth begins.

Black Mondo Grass

Scientific Name: Ophiopogon planiscapus

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: Japan
• Plant Size: 5″ to 8″
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Plant Zone: 5 to 10

The hardy perennial Black Mondo Grass gives a dramatic element to any garden by contrasting it with other plants. Tufts of long, tapering grass-like leaves nearly black in color grow in dense clusters on the plant’s stems.

Nigrescens need evenly moist soil that does not dry out to thrive. It’s practically completely devoid of sickness. Just keep an eye out for slugs.

Bleeding Heart

Scientific Name:  Lamprocapnos spectabilis

• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Geographic Origin: Asia
• Plant Size: 2′ to 4′
• Sun Exposure: Full shade to partial shade
• Plant Zone: 3 to 9

The flowers of this classic perennial are among the most fascinating. Your landscape will become void and bare as the flowers fade away, leaving gaps and holes. The stems are either upright or arched, embellished with little white or pink hearts.

Hostas and astilbe would make good companion plants to Lamprocapnos spectabilis, filling in the gaps left by the flowering plant. These flowers appear in the middle to late spring and last until the beginning of summer.

Butterfly Weed

Scientific Name: Asclepias tuberosa

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: Eastern, Southwestern North America
• Plant Size: 1’6″ to 2′
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Plant Zone: 3 to 9

According to legend, Butterfly Weed is attractive to butterflies because of its vibrant colors and delicate perfume. This attraction is useful as butterflies are beneficial to the environment. Check your local regulations, as butterfly weed can be considered a weed despite their beautiful orange blooms.

Butterfly weed has the potential to grow rather large, although it generally stays in the shape of a shrub. This shape would be great for use in a butterfly or pollinator garden, among other places.

Chick Charms Gold Nugget Hens & Chicks

Scientific Name: Sempervivum “Ruby Heart”

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: United States
• Plant Size: 2″
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Plant Zone: 3 to 9

Sempervivum is a vigorous plant that thrives in zones 3-9. This variety of hens and chicks plant was voted Best New Perennial for 2019 at the International Plant and Pest Show in Essen, Germany.

It’s important to ensure that this perennial gets at least 5 hours of direct sunlight every day, whether it’s full or partial sunlight. The more sunlight that the plant gets, the more color it will produce.

Creeping Thyme

Scientific Name: Thymus praecox

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: Mediterranean regions
• Plant Size: 2″ to 3″
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Plant Zone: 4 to 9

Your strawberry plants will benefit from the presence of creeping thyme, which will vine along the soil surface and function as a weed control cushion. This layer of thyme keeps weeds at bay and prevents strawberry fruits from decaying or getting consumed by slugs by providing a protective barrier.

A living mulch is used in the garden with this perennial to keep strawberries off the ground, repel pests, preserve moisture, and discourage weeds.

Columbine

Scientific Name: Aquilegia

• Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial
• Geographic Origin: North America
• Plant Size: 3″ to 8″
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Plant Zone: 3 to 8

In full sun, columbine blooms well until the summer heat takes hold of it. Then, the one-of-a-kind blossoms bloom throughout the spring and summer months. Columbines are easy to grow, and are native to the United States in certain locations.

This tree’s foliage becomes a rich crimson in the fall before becoming a stunning green in the spring. If you reside in a hot area, you should plant columbine in partial shade.

Coral Bells

Scientific Name: Heuchera

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: North America
• Plant Size: 18″
• Sun Exposure: Partial shade
• Plant Zone: 4 to 9

When coral bells are planted in and among hostas, the different textures, and colors of the flowers create a beautiful tapestry of greens. They like the same kind of soil, water, and lighting conditions.

Pair a dark purple hosta, such as Black Pearl, with a blue hosta, such as Blue Angel, to create a striking contrast.

Cushion Spurge

Scientific Name: Euphorbia epithymoides

• Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial
• Geographic Origin: Southeast Europe
• Plant Size: 1′ to 2′
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Plant Zone: 4 to 8

This is one of the most intriguing plants on the planet. Cushion Spurge makes a spectacular impact since it blooms twice in the spring, first in a bright yellow and then in a vibrant green.

Reduce the height of the plant by one-third to prevent woody stems and self-seeding. Be cautious if you have pets. If any part of the plant is ingested, it’s potentially dangerous.

Deadnettle

Scientific Name: Lamium purpureum

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: Europe
• Plant Size: 6″ to 3′
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to full shade
• Plant Zone: 4 to 8

Unlike other mints, purple deadnettle grows quickly and aggressively, spreading like wildfire anywhere it can establish a foothold. It’s also commonly treated as a violet hued weed, in certain climates.

Deadnettle has beautiful silver and green foliage, and it blooms throughout the summer with white, pink, and purple flowers, making it a beautiful addition to any garden.

It and its relative, the henbit, are identified by their distinctive square stems. These stems hold a canopy of small blossoms and short, pointed leaves under which they grow.

Ditch Lily

Scientific Name: Hemerocallis fulva

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: Asia
• Plant Size: 1′ to 1’6″
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Plant Zone: 5 to 9

Tawny Day-Lilies are well-known for their vivid color and appeal to pollinators, making them popular among gardeners. However, the daylilies are also known as tawny daylilies, and some of them behave like perennial weeds, while others do not.

Daylilies have the potential to spread and become uncontrollable, and they are difficult to eliminate. You should plan ahead of time before planting them, and you should be diligent in your efforts to eliminate any excess plants.

Druett’s Variegated

Scientific Name: Silene uniflora

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: Europe
• Plant Size: 2″ to 4″
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Plant Zone: 4 to 9

If you have a sunny rock garden, rock wall, or alpine trough, this perennial is a beautiful addition. It can drape and cascade, adding color interest long into the late summer and fall months. However, it’s important to remove any all-green shoots that appear. Otherwise, the cluster will take over in a matter of seasons.

When combined with any of the lower alpine hardy Geranium species or as a contrast to tougher leafed plants, such as Bergenia, it produces a winning combination.

Foamflower

Scientific Name: Tiarella Cordifolia

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: North America
• Plant Size: 6″ to 1′
• Sun Exposure: Partial sun to full shade
• Plant Zone: 4 to 9

Foamflower is an evergreen plant in warmer regions, producing spires of brilliantly green leaves with deep red centers that tower over the landscape. The bottlebrush blooms, which bloom throughout the spring and summer, are adorned with veins of chocolaty hue that complement the flowers.

Plant in areas with plenty of shade and rich soil that retains moisture. Green with reddish accents, the leaves are asymmetrical. This perennial is one of the best drought tolerant shade perennials out there due to its unique appearance.

Hardy Ferns

Scientific Name: Pteridopsida

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: North America
• Plant Size: 1′ to 3′
• Sun Exposure: Partial sun to full shade
• Plant Zone: 3 to 8

Hardy ferns are hardy to cold winter temperatures and may be grown in the open air all year. Thus, they are also known as winter ferns.

South Carolina hardy ferns may be found growing in almost any portion of the state, including the coastal regions.

The growth of ferns is gradual, and it can take many years for them to achieve maturity in their natural settings.

Hellebore

Scientific Name: Helleborus

• Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial
• Geographic Origin: Europe
• Plant Size: 1′ to 2′
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to full shade
• Plant Zone: 6 to 9

Hellebore is a beautiful flower that blooms from late winter to early April. Additionally, this may be a good time to purchase these plants at a discount from a garden center. The leaves of this plant have a silver tint to them, giving the hellebore a delicate look. It also has lovely flowers.

Even though hellebores flourish in partial shade in the summer and full sun in the winter, they need little care. Hellebore can even grow in some of the poorest soil conditions. During a hard winter, the leaves will flatten and become brown.

It’s important to remember that hellebores need damp not wet soil, so avoid overwatering your soil. Hellebores have become one of the more popular shade perennials over the course of the last few years.

Hostas

Scientific Name: Hosta

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: Asia
• Plant Size: 2′ to 5′
• Sun Exposure: Full shade to partial shade
• Plant Zone: 3 to 8

White, purple, or pink blooms on long stalks that stretch beyond the glossy leaves may appear when temperatures are reasonable in the early spring or early fall, depending on the season. Hostas need fairly moist soil that drains well, and they are easy to care for and maintain. While these plants have a tropical look, they are actually quite drought tolerant if grown in the shade.

Hostas are attractive to deer and slugs, but there are a few things you can do to keep them away from your plants. The hosta is the most common perennial and grows well in the shade. Hostas may grow to be six feet tall and take years to fully mature and flourish.

It’s estimated that there are 2,500 different species of hosta, each with a distinctive leaf shape and color. Those with lighter shades and striped leaves need more sunlight than those with solid, deeper colors.

Jerusalem Sage

Scientific Name: Phlomis fruticosa

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: Eastern Europe
• Plant Size: 2′ to 4′
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Plant Zone: 5 to 10

Jerusalem Sage leaves are wrinkled, gray-green in hue, and have a silky wooly texture. The undersides of the leaves are white and hairy, similar to Lamb’s Ear. The plant’s growth style is referred to by the species name, fruticosa, which means “shrubby and short.”

The odorless blooms are a beautiful golden yellow and bloom from late spring to late summer. Except for leafhoppers, the plant is free of significant pests and illnesses.

The Jerusalem Sage may be found in Eastern and Western Europe along the Mediterranean Sea. 

It will have unappealing leggy stems if planted in the shade. However, it requires well-drained, dry to wet soil and is tolerant to various soil conditions.

Lilyturf

Scientific Name: Liriope

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: East Asia
• Plant Size: 6″ to 1′
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to full shade
• Plant Zone: 4 to 10

Late summer brings forth the purple and white blooms of lilyturf, a shade plant with grassy leaves and flower blades that are purple or white.

Even though it grows quickly and readily with minimal care, it can withstand brief periods of severe drought.

Although this plant is very beautiful, you should keep it restricted to maintain its growth to a minimum.

Lungwort

Scientific Name: Pulmonaria saccharata

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: Europe
• Plant Size: 6″ to 1′
• Sun Exposure: Partial sun to full shade
• Plant Zone: 4 to 8

Even though it has an unusual name, this plant has a delicate look. Lungwort requires wet, well-drained soil to survive, and it may grow to be less than a foot tall.

The white dappled green leaves and a shower of varied colored flowers distinguish this plant from the rest of the crowd. Maintaining this plant in the shade and watering it regularly will guarantee healthy growth.

Pothos

Scientific Name: Epipremnum aureum

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: Australia, Indonesia, China, Japan, India
• Plant Size: 20′ or more
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Plant Zone: 10 to 12

When exposed to low light, several Pothos species lose their variegation. Consider a cultivar with a single hue to keep the leaves appearing lush. It’s critical to choose a non-variegated cultivar since they are less likely to be injured in low-light circumstances.

These plants flourish in most conditions and are almost impossible to destroy. While most commonly planted as houseplants, many Pothos cultivars will thrive outdoors in native climates. They like the shade, and can tolerate extreme heat.

Purple Coneflower

Scientific Name: Echinacea purpurea

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: Central and Eastern North America
• Plant Size: 3′ to 4′
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Plant Zone: 3 to 8

Known as the Purple Coneflower, this stunning purple perennial flower is linked to the common daisy in that it is a member of the same family as the common daisy.

Even though it can be found growing natively in many parts of Florida, this flower is a wonderful addition to any landscape.

In addition to attracting pollinators such as butterflies and bees, the plant also serves as a valuable food source for these creatures.

Salvia (Black and Blue)

Scientific Name: Salvia guaranitica

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: Brazil
• Plant Size: 30″ to 40″
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Plant Zone: 7 to 10

The black and blue salvia blooms from the beginning to the end of summer. Maintaining a consistent deadheading schedule will simplify new blooms from the plant’s blossoms.

If you’re looking for a unique and eye-catching Florida perennial, black and blue salvia is undoubtedly one of the best choices. Although the stems of this plant become black in the summer, it produces stunning blue blossoms.

This combination will make an eye-catching addition to your decor. This particular variety of salvia has the potential to spread up to 24 inches in diameter.

Star Jasmine Vine

Scientific Name: Trachelospermum jasminoides

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: Asia
• Plant Size: 3′ to 6′
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Plant Zone: 8 to 10

Even though it is one of the shorter vines, it shouldn’t be overlooked. When it comes to visual appeal, what it lacks in height, it more than makes up for in other areas.

There is something extremely appealing about the rectangular, vibrant green leaves that cover the stems and provide excellent drought tolerant ground cover.

Although it’s easy to grow and thrives well in the shade, it doesn’t produce nearly as many blooms as other kinds of the same species.

String of Pearls

Scientific Name: Senecio rowleyanus

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: Africa
• Plant Size: 1′ to 3′
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Plant Zone: 9 to 12

Senecio rowleyanus, often known as String of Pearls, is a succulent vine that grows in the desert. Spreading along the ground, the creeping plant is tethered by its stems that trail behind it.

It starts to root and spread, creating a dense mat or groundcover. In the case of outdoor cultivation, it may be utilized as a groundcover or in a planter.

These plants, like other succulents, need relatively little attention and maintenance. By placing cuttings into the soil and allowing them to root, you may easily propagate other plants or make the present plant seem fuller after it has been established.

“Rosary plant” or “string of pearls plant” are other names for this species, and Southwest Africa is the home of this plant.

Vinca

Scientific Name: Catharanthus roseus

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: Madagascar
• Plant Size: 6″ to 4′
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Plant Zone: 10 to 11

Yellow, pink, white, and purple flowers with multiple colorful petals and stalks adorn the branches of this plant, resulting in dense and stunning displays of color.

C. roseus is also known by many other names, including Running Myrtle, Vinca, and various variations. In colder areas, it’s an annual flowering plant that dies when the first frost hits it.

Vinca will not die unless it’s subjected to cold temperatures, which means that its long-lasting blossoms may survive throughout the year in a warm climate.

You may plant vinca in a container and bring it inside when the weather gets cold. Because vinca doesn’t die unless subjected to freezing temperatures, you can grow it in a container year-round.

Wormwood

Scientific Name: Artemisia absinthium

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Geographic Origin: Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America
• Plant Size: 2’6″ to 4′
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Plant Zone: 4 to 9

Artemisia absinthium is a woody perennial with delicately cut, silvery-gray, fragrant leaves and little yellow flowers. It’s native to the Mediterranean region.

When used in beds, borders, and rock gardens, wormwood provides an excellent contrast to the surrounding plants’ bright colors and dark leaves. However, the plant is poisonous so be careful.

ZZ Plant

Scientific Name: Zamioculcas zamiifolia

• Plant Type: Tropical Perennial
• Geographic Origin: Africa
• Plant Size: 1′ to 3′
• Sun Exposure: Full to partial shade
• Plant Zone: 9 to 11

Given that this houseplant enjoys gloomy conditions, it may be useful in bringing a touch of darkness to otherwise dreary places. The bulbous roots of the plant sprout from the soil’s surface and function as natural water storage tanks for the plant.

Don’t overwater them since they are prone to rot if they are overwatered.

‘ZZ’ plants are a novel variety of zamioculcas zamiifolia plants. The foliage begins as green but soon becomes black in appearance. They are most commonly grown as houseplants, but can also be grown outdoors in certain hardiness zones.

It’s a beautiful addition to any garden with waxy and shiny leaves and a slow growth rate.