Dry spells happen—especially during those dog days of summer—but that doesn't mean your garden has to suffer. With the best drought-tolerant plants, you can grow a space that stays colorful, vibrant, and full of life without the need for constant watering. In fact, these hardy plants actually thrive in hot, sunny conditions, delivering beautiful blooms, fresh greenery, and plenty of pollinators when your garden needs it most.
Whether you live in a dry climate or just want to cut back on watering during the summer heat, plants like lavender and sedum make it easy to grow a garden that’s both low-maintenance and full of charm. Ready to give it a grow? Here are some of the best drought-tolerant plants to try this season.
1. Lavender
Lavender loves the sun and dry soil. Once established, it barely needs any water and will fill your garden with fragrant purple blooms all summer long. Plus, pollinators like bees and butterflies can’t resist it.
2. Sedum
These low-growing succulents beat the heat by storing water in their fleshy leaves. They come in tons of colors and textures, so you can mix and match to create a vibrant, drought-proof border.
3. Agave
Agave plants bring serious sculptural drama to your yard with their bold, spiky leaves. They’re also super tough and store water so efficiently that they barely need any help from you.
4. Russian Sage
With silvery leaves and soft purple flowers, Russian sage brightens up dry spots in your garden. It thrives in full sun and poor soil, adding texture and movement with its delicate stems.
5. Yarrow
This pretty wildflower is known for its clusters of tiny blooms in shades of yellow, pink, and white. Yarrow is a tough, drought-tolerant perennial that attracts butterflies and thrives in dry soil.
6. Echinacea (Coneflower)
Echinacea blooms with bold, daisy-like flowers that bees and butterflies love. These native perennials can easily handle hot, dry spells and keep blooming all summer.
7. Salvia
Salvia is a pollinator magnet with vibrant spikes of blue, purple, or red flowers. Most varieties are drought-tolerant once established and bloom again if you give them a quick trim.
8. Rosemary
Rosemary isn’t just for cooking—it’s also a beautiful, fragrant shrub that thrives in dry conditions. Its woody stems and needle-like leaves stand up to heat and poor soil like a pro.
9. California Poppy
With cheerful orange blooms, California poppies practically thrive on neglect. They reseed easily, so you'll get a carpet of bright color with very little effort.
10. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)
Blanket flower boasts sunset-colored blooms that last for months. It loves hot, dry spots and keeps flowering even when other plants give up.
11. Cactus
Cactus plants are the ultimate drought survivors, storing water in their thick stems and pads. There are endless varieties to choose from, whether you want a towering plant or something low and sprawling.
12. Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea vines feature papery flowers in bold shades of pink, red, and orange. Once established, they thrive in dry, sunny spots with barely any water.
13. Verbena
Verbena is a fast-growing ground cover or trailing plant with clusters of purple or pink flowers. It’s drought-tolerant and perfect for adding color to garden beds or hanging baskets.
14. Ice Plant
Ice plants stay close to the ground with succulent leaves and neon flowers that open wide in the sun. They’re heat-loving and drought-resistant, making them a perfect no-fuss choice for rock gardens.
15. Ornamental Grasses
Many ornamental grasses like Blue Fescue or Feather Reed Grass thrive on little water and add soft movement to your landscape. Plus, their feathery plumes bring texture and contrast to dry spaces.
16. Portulaca (Moss Rose)
Portulaca produces small, jewel-toned blooms and loves hot, sunny spots. Its succulent leaves hold moisture, helping it power through dry spells.
17. Lamb’s Ear
Lamb’s ear has soft, silvery leaves that look just as good in dry shade as in full sun. It’s super low-maintenance and adds a soft, fuzzy texture to your garden.
18. Rockrose
Rockrose shrubs bloom with simple, papery flowers and thrive on rocky, dry hillsides. They're tough, drought-tolerant, and perfect for filling in bare sunny spots.
19. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera stores water in its thick, spiky leaves and barely needs watering once it’s settled in. Plus, you can break off a leaf for a little soothing gel if you get a sunburn.
20. Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum)
Hens and chicks are hardy little succulents that multiply quickly, filling containers and garden beds with pretty rosettes. Drought and poor soil don't stand a chance against them.
Tierney McAfee is a freelance writer and Country Living and The Pioneer Woman contributor who covers entertainment, holiday & entertaining, food & drinks, design ideas, DIY, and more.
