Choosing the right plant for the right place helps create a cohesive garden that requires little maintenance. This is important if you’d rather not amend areas to be different from what they are. If you have a sunny, dry spot, for example, you’d want to cultivate plants that love well-draining soil and direct sunlight. 

Sunny sites aren’t the only spots for low-water-loving plants. Dry shade is one of the most difficult conditions for many species to thrive in. Though it’s a difficult challenge, some plant species can easily handle dry shade. 

For cold regions, try the century plant or Parry’s agave. The century plant, Agave americana, survives well down to zone 8, while Parry’s agave, A. parryi, thrives down to zone 6. Use these frost-tolerant species in cold regions.

Desert, subtropical, and dry tropical regions have a wealth of agave to choose from! The succulent plants are perfect for xeriscaping projects with minimal or no irrigation. Select a mix of different species and varieties for a blend of textures, colors, and sizes. 

Aloe

	botanical name Aloe spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-10′
	hardiness zones 8-12

Aloe plants are similar to agave. They form rosettes of succulent, triangular leaves with fleshy interiors. Aloes are often spiny, though some spineless species exist. The most common is the medicinal aloe, Aloe vera. Dozens of other types offer unique colors and different structures.

Take the spiral aloe, A. polyphylla, for example. It forms a spiral rosette in a tight cluster, creating stunning geometric shapes in the garden. 

Aloes are ideal for warm, low-moisture gardens with little irrigation. In hot climates of the southern U.S., they’ll need water every few weeks or once a month during the summer. The leaves will turn yellow and the leaf tips will turn brown when the plant is thirsty, indicating it needs moisture to grow. 

Broadleaf Sage

	botanical name Salvia officinalis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-3′
	hardiness zones 4-8

Broadleaf sage is a culinary treasure. It sprouts fuzzy, aromatic leaves that add flavor to meats, vegetables, and stews. It’s the perfect herbal shrub for arid regions, as it tolerates periods of low water better than most other garden specimens.

Broadleaf sage isn’t quite as hardy as agaves and aloes, though it functions well in borders, pollinator gardens, and wild plantings with little cultivation. I have three of the shrubs growing in a border that receives full sun and no extra irrigation during the growing season. 

My Pacific Northwest garden is wetter than most, and your sages may need supplemental watering depending on how parched they are. Look for thirsty sages—they’ll have droopy leaves and weak stems. 

Daffodil

	botanical name Narcissus spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-3′
	hardiness zones 3-9

Plants that form bulbs have an expert defense strategy, so they almost never need additional water! They hold onto nutrients, water, and sugars in their bulbs, allowing them to survive despite frosts, droughts, and ice storms. Daffodils are one such plant with cute, trumpet-like blooms. 

These spring-blooming bulbs are ideal in temperate climates with cold winters—they’ll struggle in warm regions. They need consistent moisture during the growing season; they’re hardy and tough after their foliage fades when they enter dormancy. 

There are way more daffodils than I can include here. Shop seasonal catalogs, local nurseries, and garden centers to see which varieties may stand out in your yard. 

Hardy Ice Plant

	botanical name Delosperma spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-6″
	hardiness zones 5-8

Hardy ice plants are low-growing groundcovers with succulent, fleshy leaves. In spring and summer, vibrant blooms emerge all over the succulent mats. Their bright colors attract pollinators and beneficial insects, creating a lovely habitat for local critters.

You’ll find hardy ice plants with pink, orange, yellow, white, purple, and red flowers. Some hybrids have a mix of colors in their petals, creating a rich palette for your yard.

Hardy ice plants are indeed hardy. They may need supplemental irrigation during heat waves and long periods without rain. Thirsty specimens will have wrinkly leaves rather than turgid and perky ones. 

Lavender

	botanical name Lavandula spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-4′
	hardiness zones 5-9

Unlike other Mediterranean plant species, lavender survives frosty winters in the U.S. Aromatic, evergreen, and a boon for pollinators are some words to describe this shrub. There are more reasons to plant it than not to! 

Lavenders survive long periods without water. Their woody stems and thick-skinned leaves trap moisture within the plants, allowing them to resist harsh environmental conditions. They may suffer some during intense weather, though they typically rebound when spring sunshine arrives. 

Position lavender in a border, walkway, or formal planting. It holds its shape well and tolerates shearing, allowing you to sculpt it into a desirable form. Like aloes, your lavenders may need water once a month or more often, depending on your local climate.  

Love-Lies-Bleeding

	botanical name Amaranthus caudatus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-5′
	hardiness zones 2-11

Love-lies-bleeding is an old garden favorite. I can’t say why it’s gone out of style, as it’s a stunning specimen for home yards. 

Love-lies-bleeding grows long, tight clusters of tiny blooms in panicles that reach almost two feet long! Most varieties have reddish-maroon blooms, though some unique varieties offer different hues. Try ‘Coral Fountain’ for pink-orange flower spikes. 

This frost-tender annual grows best from seeds after the last average frost date in your area. It survives drought conditions well after it establishes itself. Provide consistent moisture while it’s establishing and cut back after it matures from a seedling to a tall, flowering plant. 

Manzanita

	botanical name Arctostaphylos spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-25′
	hardiness zones 2-10

Manzanitas are rugged, tough, and wild shrubs. They’re native to much of western North America. You’ll see them along roadsides, freeways, and chaparral ecosystems. 

Because they evolved to thrive near the West Coast, manzanitas have a high tolerance for intense heat, dry weather, and frosty winters. They’re ideal specimens for areas with gritty, sandy soils in states like California, Oregon, and Washington. 

Try the common manzanita, Arctostaphylos manzanita, in zones 8 and above. Depending on how you prune it, it’ll grow into a large shrub or small tree. There are spreading options that form great groundcovers in sunny sites. The hybrid manzanita, A. x media, is one such option. 

Mexican Sunflower

	botanical name Tithonia rotundifolia
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-8′
	hardiness zones 2-11

Mexican sunflowers aren’t true sunflowers, though they’re just as gorgeous! They sprout sunflower-like blossoms with orange-red petals. Fiery and vibrant, they’re perfect for adding color to a dull space. 

Like sunflowers, Mexican sunflowers are tolerant of water shortages during the summer. They thrive despite arid conditions, growing well after establishing themselves in the space.

Because it’s an annual, you’ll have to start seeds early in pots indoors, or outdoors a week or two after the last frost. For more color than the species type, use ‘Torch’ seeds. The variety has hues like a flame!

Choose another plant if this one is invasive in your region.

Nasturtium

	botanical name Tropaeolum spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-10′
	hardiness zones 2-11

Nasturtiums grow whether you want them to or not! These frost-tender annuals sprout dozens of seeds annually that grow the next season. In warm climates, they’ll create dense stands that last all year. The seeds form from the fiery-colored blooms after they fade.

You’ll see nasturtiums with peach, yellow, red, orange, white, and pink blooms. Try the ‘Tip Top Mix’ for a blend of many hues. 

Nasurtiums’ tolerance for heat and low rainfall makes them nuisances in some areas. Avoid planting them in states where they escape cultivation, like coastal regions of Southern California. Otherwise, let them roam and resprout annually each spring. 

Oregon Grape

	botanical name Berberis aquifolium
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 3-6′
	spacing 5-8

Oregon grape is a native shrub that excels in dry shade! It’s one of the rare species tolerant of such a difficult environment. Water it consistently during the first year after planting, then cut back the second year to let it adapt to your local climate. 

Though the Oregon grape originates from the Pacific Northwest, it’s a fantastic garden shrub in eastern gardens. Its main issue in non-native gardens is the pH of the soil. Oregon grape prefers slightly acidic soil and will struggle in alkaline soils. 

Rosemary

	botanical name Salvia rosmarinus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 4-5′
	hardiness zones 8-10

Rosemary, like broadleaf safe and lavender, is a Mediterranean native shrub with culinary value. Its aromatic leaves brighten dishes like mashed potatoes, seared meats, and roasted vegetables. The purple flowers are edible too, adding an herbal flavor to salads and charcuterie boards.

Rosemary grows well in sites where lavender thrives. Grant your specimen well-drained soil, little water, and daily direct sunlight. 

If stems grow limp at the tips, your shrub is thirsty. Water it every few weeks during the growing season to keep it perky and healthy.

Sedum

	botanical name Sedum spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-24″
	hardiness zones 3-9

Cold-tolerant succulents are rare! Sedums are one of the rare plants that grow well in frosty climates. They have succulent leaves, cheery summer blooms, and rooting stems that form dense carpets of foliage. 

Some sedums are native to the U.S. and work exceptionally well in home gardens. Try Oregon stonecrop, Sedum oreganum, in western states. The woodland stonecrop, Sedum ternatum, is a great choice for eastern states. 

Though sedums resist extreme summer temperatures, they need some moisture to thrive when they’re small. Water them consistently in their first year until they form a dense mat. 

Thyme

	botanical name Thymus spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-12″
	hardiness zones 4-9

Thymes have a few different use cases in the yard, depending on the species. Garden thyme, Thymus vulgaris, is a famous culinary herb that flavors savory dishes. It’s perfect for the dry herb garden alongside lavender, rosemary, and sage. 

Other thymes, like creeping thyme, excel as groundcovers in sites with plenty of direct sunlight and well-drained soil. Many varieties and species of creeping thyme exist that offer various bloom colors and leaf shapes. Woolly thyme is a fun one with fuzzy, tiny, and fragrant leaves. 

Tulip

	botanical name Tulipa spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-2′
	hardiness zones 3-8

Tulips, like daffodils, sprout big blooms from bulbs in spring. They’re hardy because their bulbs store energy and nutrients until the plants need to flower and form seeds. Hundreds of tulips exist, as they’re a long-cultivated Eurasian wildflower! Find your favorite and cultivate it for endless blooms.

Tulips are perennials; they spread underground by forming small bulblets that swell into bulbs. You can dig these up and divide them every few years if the plants begin crowding themselves.

Though tulips tolerate arid soils when they’re dormant from summer through winter, they need moisture during the growing season to thrive. Grant them regular water to maintain a moist, but not soggy, soil culture.