35 Drought-Resistant Plants for Xeriscape Gardening

Xeriscape plants range from flowering types to succulents, trees to shrubs. Head horticulturist Lorin Nielsen has chosen 35 popular xeriscaping plants to pick from for a low maintenance xeriscape garden.

Written by Lorin Nielsen Horticulture review by Sarah Jay Last updated: August 16, 2024 | 9 min read

A beautiful-looking area in the garden with a variety of xeriscape plants

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West coast dwellers in the United States know the importance of xeriscaping. This low-water gardening technique has taken California by storm. It’s spreading to other areas, too. But finding the right xeriscape plants is a little complex.

The term ‘xeriscape’ comes from the Greek word ‘xeros’, meaning dry. And its origins reveal its purpose. This method of low-water or no-water landscaping is used to reduce the need for irrigation. Sometimes referred to as water-conserving landscaping or drought-tolerant landscaping, xeriscape is gaining speed. Somehow, it had gained the reputation of looking like a dry, arid moonscape. Most people think it’s all cacti and succulents, sand, and rock. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth! You can have a lush landscape with xeriscape and reduce your water bills, too.

To read more on xeriscaping click on the link for a comprehensive guide.

Let’s explore a wide variety of plants that work well in xeriscaping. You’re sure to be surprised by what you’ll find on our list.

Allegheny Spurge

A healthy and vivid green Pachysandra procumbens bush appearing lush with distinct leaves in a sunny area — It tolerates dry conditions well once fully matured.

	botanical name Pachysandra procumbens
	sun requirements Partial shade to full shade
	height 1′
	hardiness zones 5-9

Allegheny spurge is a common ground cover plant. But did you know it can be used in xeriscaping, too? While it prefers moist soil when young, it’s fairly drought-tolerant when mature. It’s a shade lover as well, making it perfect for those odd spots without consistent sunlight. Zones 5-9 preferred.

Anise-Scented Sage

Beautiful and healthy-looking Salvia guaranitica plants with thin woody stems having vivid blue flowers appearing translucent under the sun — They grow tall and produce beautiful blue flowers.

	botanical name Salvia guaranitica
	sun requirements Full sun and partial shade
	height 2-5′
	hardiness zones 7-10

As an annual, anise-scented sage grows to about three feet tall. Grown as a perennial, it can reach five feet, sometimes even larger and makes an excellent xeriscape plant. It produces vivid, dark blue tubular flowers from midsummer into the autumn. The foliage is dark green. Alas, it isn’t very anise-scented when bruised. But it’s beautiful, and grows in zones 7-10.

Beaked Yucca

A a drought-resistant Yucca rostrata with long and spiny leaves appearing an ashy green color, sitting on a rocky garden — It has an unusual appearance that is desirable for many.

	botanical name Yucca rostrata
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 5-15′
	hardiness zones 5-12

The beaked yucca looks like a fuzzy tree from a distance. Up close, you can see its round, spiky top holds thousands of two feet long slender leaves. The fuzzy-looking trunk is actually covered with older leaves that have collapsed downward. If you want an unusual ‘tree’ that looks like it came straight out of wonderland, choose this! It can be grown in zones 5-12.

Black Mondo Grass

A black Ophiopogon planiscapus with long leaves appearing dark with dried plant material in between pieces in a sunny part of a garden — They have leaves with a distinct black color.

	botanical name Ophiopogon planiscapus
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 8-12″
	hardiness zones 6-9

Seeking something darker? Consider black mondo grass. Like dwarf lilyturf, this lily relative develops tight, matted clumps of leaves. But in this case, the leaves are so dark in color they’re nearly black. Averages eight to twelve inches tall. Another great candidate for your shadier spaces and a good xeriscape plant!

California Tree Poppy

A healthy patch of Romneya coulteri with many beautiful and dainty white flowers with yellow centers surrounded by green leaves — They grow rapidly wherever they can.

	botanical name Romneya coulteri
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6-8′
	hardiness zones 8-10

The California tree poppy is a true California native. Growing nearly eight feet in height, it can spread via rhizomes over huge areas. It’s been rumored that they’ll grow under your house and come out on the other side! These plants produce open, airy and large white flowers. They lose their leaves in the summer and fall, but come back again in the spring. Best in zones 8-10.

Crocodile Aloe

	botanical name Aloe brevifolia
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-2′
	hardiness zones 8-11

Another sweet little succulent, this one is a true aloe. The crocodile aloe teeters at the twelve to fourteen inch range. So named because of its toothed leaves that resemble crocodile mouths, it’s evergreen and lovely. A warm climate plant, it performs best as a xeriscape plant in zones 8-11.

Desert Spoon

A healthy and round-shaped Dasylirion wheeleri with green leaves having a cool toned hue, placed under the sunlight — It has spiny leaves that grow up to four feet.

	botanical name Dasylirion wheeleri
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-5′
	hardiness zones 8-11

A relative of the asparagus, this desert plant is called desert spoon. The name comes from the single flower stalk that it puts up each year. While the spiky plant itself can reach four feet, the flower stalk can reach fifteen feet! It’s topped with thousands of white or pinkish-purple blooms and looks like a giant spoon. Grows in zones 8-11.

Dwarf Lilyturf

Short and think blades of deep green Ophiopogon japonicus leaves appearing slightly ashy and waxy under sunlight — It covers ground well, maintaining a deep green color.

	botanical name Ophiopogon japonicus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6-12″
	hardiness zones 6-10

Dwarf lilyturf, sometimes called fountain plant, is one of the tiniest plants on the list. Averaging at about 4″ in height, this little grass can be a ground cover or low-lying bed plant. It prefers damp soil but can take slightly-drier conditions once established. Best in zones 6-10.

False Shamrock

A close up shot of Oxalis triangularis flowers appearing dainty and white with think green stems surrounded by deep purple leaves — The leaves move with the light throughout the day.

	botanical name Oxalis triangularis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6-18″
	hardiness zones 8-11

False shamrock is a very unusual plant. Its leaves move in response to light, folding at night and unfolding during the day. The triangular leaves can be green, pink, purple, or a mixture of the three. This unique perennial plant’s leaves are edible, too! Grows optimally as a xeriscape plant in zones 8-11.

Germander Sage

A healthy and elegant-looking Salvia chamaedryoides busy with textured green leaves with fleshy stems, blooming vibrant blue flowers — The stems and leaves form a shrub-like appearance as they grow out.

	botanical name Salvia chamaedryoides
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-2′
	hardiness zones 8-10

At its tallest, germander sage reaches two feet. Its grey-green leaves grow on long, straight stems in a shrub-like formation. Vividly blue flowers develop on long flower spikes at least twice a year and sometimes more. A Mexico native, it grows in zones 8-10.

Giant Coneflower

Many Rudbeckia maxima flowers with thing green stems and vibrant yellow petals, in a shady area with cloudy sky in the background — It has tall stalks that can grown up to seven feet.

	botanical name Rudbeckia maxima
	sun requirements Full sun and partial shade
	height 5-8′
	hardiness zones 4-9

Paddle shaped leaves up to 24″ in length, a flower stalk that can reach eight feet… and it flowers, too! The large or giant coneflower produces huge yellow flowers with a dark brown central cone. A flashy centerpiece for your xeriscape garden, it’ll grow in zones 4-9.

Japanese Sacred Lily

A healthy and moist Rohdea japonica having long leaves sticking out with hues of deep and light green with other greens in the background — Its long leaves direct water to the center.

	botanical name Rohdea japonica
	sun requirements Partial shade to full shade
	height 6-24″
	hardiness zones 6-10

The Japanese sacred lily, Rohdea japonica, is a fibrous-rooted plant. Long, mid-green leaves help direct rainfall towards the center of the cluster. Flower spikes bloom in a cluster of pale yellow blooms which later form red, inedible berries. This xeriscape plant averages eighteen inches in height, and grows in zones 6-10.

Jerusalem Sage

A healthy and deep green Phlomis fruticosa bush with leaves having textured surface and whitish outline, appearing pretty under the sun — Its appearance is similar to true sage.

	botanical name Phlomis fruticosa
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-4′
	hardiness zones 7-10

Jerusalem sage isn’t a true sage, but its leaves look like sage! Through the summer, round clusters of bright yellow flowers emerge from the stems. This mounding perennial can reach four feet tall, and remains evergreen which is perfect for a xeriscape garden.

Lace Aloe

A close-up captures the intricate details of a ‘Minnie Belle’ aloe plant from above. The spiky, white leaves unfurl from the center, resembling a flower in bloom. The aloe’s rosette form creates a mesmerizing geometric pattern, with each leaf spiraling outwards from the core. — It has spikes that create a distinct pattern on the plant.

	botanical name Aloe aristata
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 8-12″
	hardiness zones 8-12

Also called Aristaloe aristata, this plant isn’t a true aloe. It’s more closely related to other species. But its compact six to eight inch circles of saw-toothed spikes create a beautiful globe-like shape. It looks phenomenal in a garden setting, and as a xeriscape plant, especially when it sends up orange flowers!

Lavender Cotton

	botanical name Santolina chamaecyparissus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-2′
	hardiness zones 6-9

Showy yellow flowers explode out of the mounding shrub known as the lavender cotton. A summer bloomer, it produces an astonishing number of flowers when it blossoms. The rest of the year, it’s a beautiful mound of silvery-grey foliage with a slight musky scent. Best in zones 6-9.

Lindheimer’s Beeblossom

	botanical name Oenothera lindheimeri
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-5′
	hardiness zones 5-9

Often referred to as gaura, this three to five foot shrub is a perennial. It’s a must for wildflower gardens where it can sprawl out! Oenothera lindheimeri flowers from August to October. They start as pink buds and turn white as flowers, gradually shifting back to pale pink. Grow this in zones 5-9.

Mexican Cardinal Flower

A Lobelia laxiflora plant with bell like flowers appearing red to orang with yellow internal surface and distinct white stamens — It gives any garden a unique pop of color.

	botanical name Lobelia laxiflora
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-3′
	hardiness zones 8-11

The Mexican cardinal flower should be more popular! Its woody, nearly three feet stems support bright red tubular flowers until the first frost. Beneath the flowers is a swath of green lance-like leaves. Uncommon in most traditional gardens, it’s perfect for xeriscape. Heat and sun-loving, it thrives in zones 8-11.

Mexican Daisy

A dainty looking flower with soft white petals and a yellow center having other flowers, leaves and stems in the background — It requires little water to bloom fresh flowers.

	botanical name Erigeron karvinskianus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-2′
	hardiness zones 6-9

Trailing foliage and constant flowers are a hallmark of the Santa Barbara or Mexican Daisy. This Mexico-native plant is extremely drought-tolerant. Give it a little water, and it immediately fuels an explosion of fresh growth. Short and sweet, this lovely perennial’s best in zones 6-9.

Myrtle Spurge

Vibrant Euphorbia myrsinites having various hues of deep cool green and light yellowish green, with grass surrounding the area — They look like succulents with a unique pattern.

	botanical name Euphorbia myrsinites
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 4-12″
	hardiness zones 5-9

This evergreen perennial’s an interesting one. Four to twelve inches tall, it has succulent-like leaves that layer in a tight pattern from thick, woody stems. Blue-green in color, myrtle spurge develops showy yellow bracts in the spring.

Narrowleaf Mountain Mint

Stems of Pycnanthemum tenuifolium looking vibrant and healty having white blooms on the heads while surrounded by other greens — It has a scent similar to mint.

	botanical name Pycnanthemum tenuifolium
	sun requirements Full sun and partial shade
	height 2-4′
	hardiness zones 4-8

While the name would suggest it dwells in the mountains, mountain mint doesn’t. Grown in prairies or along roads, this two to three feet tall plant has needle-like leaves. When crushed, the leaves give off a minty aroma. White clusters of flowers bloom in mid to late summer. Does well in zones 4-8

Pink Muhly Grass

	botanical name Muhlenbergia capillaris
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-3′
	hardiness zones 5-9

Growing to heights of tow to three feet, this ornamental pink muhly grass is lovely. Throughout most of the spring and summer, it is a lushly green grass. But in the fall, long inflorescences of pinkish-red flowers rise up above the grass. It looks like a cloud of cotton candy just grew in the garden! It’ll be happiest in zones 5-9.

Pork and Beans

Cute and small bulbous leaves of Sedum rubrotinctum appearing bright green in a container with dark brown soil on a wooden surface — It has bulbous leaves that look like jelly beans.

	botanical name Sedum rubrotinctum
	sun requirements Full sun, bright indirect light
	height 4-8″
	hardiness zones 9-11

Typically just under a foot tall, Sedum rubrotinctum is a succulent. Nicknamed the jelly bean plant or pork and beans, its leaves are roughly bean-shaped. It produces its foliage on long, thick stems. In the spring, bright yellow star-shaped flowers appear. Best in zones 9-11.

Purple Lovegrass

A grass appearing light purple with thin leaves and stems in an area covered with other greens while receiving abundant sunlight — It is an ideal plant for landscaping wildflower gardens.

	botanical name Eragrostis spectabilis
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-2′
	hardiness zones 5-9

Ornamental grasses like the purple lovegrass can be used in landscaping very easily. This late summer blooming plant produces reddish-purple flowers in August. By October, the flowers fade once more. It’s a perfect candidate for a wildflower garden look! Ideal in zones 5-9.

Purple Poppy Mallow

A vibrant green Callirhoe involucrata with countless blooming flowers with vivid purple color and thin leaves and stems — It develops roots that go deep, helping it survive extremely hot and dry climates.

	botanical name Callirhoe involucrata
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6-12″
	hardiness zones 4-8

Missouri prairies and flatlands are the home of the purple poppy-mallow. Growing six to twelve inches in height, this herbaceous perennial produces cup-shaped magenta flowers. Its deep roots give it lots of drought tolerance. Zones 4-8 are ideal for this plant.

Rattlesnake Master

Flower heads of Eryngium yuccifolium appearing white with green fleshy stems, surrounded by other greens in a garden — It blooms unique-looking flowers that attract pollinators.

	botanical name Eryngium yuccifolium
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-6′
	hardiness zones 4-8

Rattlesnake master is a strange herbaceous plant. A member of the parsley family, it produces three to four feet long sword-like leaves. Tiny greenish-white flowers are densely packed into globe-like flower heads that resemble thistles. Common on the prairie, it grows in zones 4-8.

Red Spider Lily

Beautiful heads of Lycoris radiata flowers, appearing a unique deep red color looking wet with small water droplets on petals — The flowers bloom after it starts raining in the fall.

	botanical name Lycoris radiata
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2′
	hardiness zones 6-10

Red spider lily, also called equinox flower, is gorgeous. They bloom after the first full rain in the fall. A bulbous perennial, the bulbs are toxic. They’re strong enough that they’re planted around rice paddies in Japan to keep pests and mice out! These grow in zones 6-10.

Russian Stonecrop

Vibrant Sedum kamtschaticum with small and sturdy leaves with serrated edges, blooming dainty yellow flowers under the sun — It blooms pretty, yellow flowers in the summer.

	botanical name Phedimus kamtschaticus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6-7″
	hardiness zones 3-9

Averaging six inches in height, this sedum groundcover is an herbaceous perennial. Beautiful green oval leaves attach to long, trailing stems. Russian stonecrop produces tiny yellow flowers during the summer months, producing scarlet-red fruit in the fall. In winter it loses most of its leaves.

Shore Jumper

A thick shrub with cool-toned green leaves, looking like needles on woody stems, in a shady area with surrounding trees — It covers ground well with needle-like leaves with a cool green hue.

	botanical name Juniperus conferta
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6-18″
	hardiness zones 6-9

This evergreen coniferous shrub is a popular ground cover. Blue-green needles, just under an inch in length, extend from its woody stems. Shore jumper grows six to eighteen inches tall, and produces seed cones which turn silverish when mature. It . Popular for erosion control, it thrives in zones 6-9.

Sonoma Sage

Distinct Salvia sonomensis flowers with varying purple hues surrounded by stems and vivid green leaves in a sunny area — These purple flowers look amazing in full bloom and the leaves give off a unique, light scent.

	botanical name Salvia sonomensis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12-14″
	hardiness zones 8-10

Sonoma sage is one of my top choices for xeriscape gardening. It’s absolutely beautiful, especially when it’s producing its purple-blue flower spikes. Silvery-green leaves on its twelve to fourteen inch stems are lightly scented when sun-warmed. It thrives in coastal or foothill environments in zones 8-10.

Spanish Dagger

Multiple Yucca aloifolia treeswith spiny leaves forming round shapes, having varying heights appearing lovely under direct sunlight — They can reach up to fifteen feet tall.

	botanical name Yucca aloifolia
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 10-15′
	hardiness zones 6-11

Reaching up to twelve to fifteen feet in height, Spanish dagger is aptly named. Two-foot leaf spikes with sharp serrations along them clamber up its trunk. Settlers used to make rope from the leaf fibers. Its flowers form in clusters that can reach two feet in length, and they are reputed to be edible. Birds love the fruit that forms from the spent blooms. Grows in zones 6-11.

Stinking Hellebore

Healthy-looking Helleborus foetidus with slim deep green leaves placed in an area with mulch looking golden under sunlight — They tend to exude an unpleasant aroma.

	botanical name Helleborus foetidus
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 1-2′
	hardiness zones 5-9

Another unusual xeriscape plant, the stinking hellebore does in fact stink. Bruised leaves can smell unfamiliar, and the flowers are a bit pungent. But as long as you aren’t beating up your plants, it’s a wonderful xeriscape option! Its flowers are greenish-white and bell-shaped, and it grows in zones 5-9.

Sundrops

Vibrant Oenothera fruticosa with bright yellow flowers with a protruding stamen surrounded by greens placed in a sunny area — Their flowers appear bright-colored and dainty, blooming in late spring.

	botanical name Oenothera fruticosa
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2′
	hardiness zones 4-8

Sundrops, also narrowleaf sundrops, are an herbaceous perennial which are native to eastern North America. In the late spring, it produces clusters of four-petaled yellow flowers. Excellent in wild gardens or cottage gardens, they grow in zones 4-8.

Tickseed

Fresh and vibrant-looking Coreopsis tripteris flowers with bright yellow petals stained with dark red in the middle — It can tolerate mostly dry soil.

	botanical name Coreopsis tinctoria
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-4′
	hardiness zones 2-11

Another prairie plant, the tall tickseed can range between four to eight feet in height. Its yellow, daisy-like flowers bloom from mid-summer well into the fall. In moist soils, it tends to sprawl, but in drier soils will fare well. It could use some support in windy regions. Ideal in zones 3-8, but annual in all zones.

Virgin’s Palm

A sturdy Dioon edule with long palm-shaped leaves appearing a deep green color attached to a woody based placed under the sun — It is a great accent addition to any garden.

	botanical name Dioon edule
	sun requirements Full sun and partial shade
	height 6-8′
	hardiness zones 9-11

Want something that looks like it belongs in a tropical paradise? The virgin’s palm meets your criteria perfectly. This slow-growing cycad can reach eight feet tall in time. It likes full sun or partial shade, and makes for a wonderful accent plant. Subtropical, it prefers zones 9-11.

Whale’s Tongue Agave

A solid and sturdy looking Agave ovatifolia with light green color and spiky form, opening up like a flower under the sun — Its appearance is similar to a succulent, but grows significantly bigger.

	botanical name Agave ovatifolia
	sun requirements Full sun and partial shade
	height 3-4′
	hardiness zones 7-11

When people think of succulents, they think of plants that are anywhere from a couple inches to a foot. Whale’s tongue agave is far bigger than that. These can hit four feet tall and about six feet across, and their flower spike can tower to fifteen feet! This powerful accent plant can be grown in zones 7-11.

Now, this is just the beginning. There’s hundreds of other xeriscape plants that exist out there. I’ve only provided a small sampling of the diversity that exists. These plants can all survive in low to no water conditions. They range from weedy to shrubs, leafy to treelike, and everything between. There’s tons of flower potential to dazzle the senses, too.