Wish your garden could thrive without constant watering? You’re not alone. Whether you’re dealing with water restrictions, hot summers, or just want a low-maintenance landscape, choosing the right plants makes all the difference.
These 25 beauties don’t just survive dry conditions—they thrive in them. From wildflowers that soak up the sun to ornamental grasses that dance in the breeze, each of these plants is built to handle the heat with minimal fuss. They’re perfect for xeriscaping, eco-friendly gardens, or anyone who’s tired of dragging the hose around.
1. Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)
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Graceful, fine-textured clumps wave in summer breezes, finishing with spicy-scented seed heads in fall. This native grass provides soft green movement and beautiful autumn color.
- Mature Size: 2–3 ft tall and wide
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Low
- Zones: 3–9
Perfect for mass plantings, borders, and naturalistic looks—plus, it’s tough enough to survive periods of drought with ease. Note: It needs more water in its first year while getting established.
2. Texas Mountain Laurel (Dermatophyllum secundiflorum)
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An evergreen shrub or small tree native to the Southwest, with leathery leaves and drooping clusters of fragrant purple flowers that smell like grape soda.
- Mature Size: 8–15 ft tall, 6–10 ft wide
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Very low
- Zones: 7–10
Extreme heat and drought don’t faze this plant—perfect for structure, fragrance, and pollinators.
3. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata)
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Vivid red-and-gold, daisy-like blooms flower from early summer to fall, luring pollinators nonstop.
- Mature Size: 1–3 ft tall and wide
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Low
- Zones: 3–10
A rugged, colorful wildflower for beds, borders, or tough roadside spots.
4. Beargrass (Nolina microcarpa)
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A fountain of narrow, curly leaves supports tall spikes of creamy white flowers in spring or summer.
- Mature Size: 2–4 ft tall, stalks up to 5 ft
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Minimal
- Zones: 5–10
Southwestern flair with minimal input—excellent specimen for slopes or rocky gardens.
5. California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
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Iconic orange, yellow, or cream blooms carpet beds and wildflower meadows through spring and summer.
- Mature Size: 1 ft tall and wide
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Very low
- Zones: 6–10
Self-seeds easily for a persistent pop of native color. See more drought-tolerant flowers.
6. Blue Grama Grass (Bouteloua gracilis)
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Fine clumps with delicate “eyelash” seed heads in summer provide movement and interest in xeric lawns.
- Mature Size: Up to 2 ft tall and wide
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Minimal
- Zones: 5–11
Superb drought-tolerant turf alternative and wildlife food source.
7. Firecracker Penstemon (Penstemon eatonii)
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Native to the Western US, its vibrant red tubular flowers appear on upright stems and delight hummingbirds and bees.
- Mature Size: 2–3 ft tall, 1–2 ft wide
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Low
- Zones: 4–9
Standout color early in the xeriscape season with superb pollinator appeal.
8. Lavender Cotton (Santolina chamaecyparissus)
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Compact, mounding evergreen subshrub, with aromatic silvery foliage and yellow button-like blooms through summer.
- Mature Size: 1–2 ft tall and wide
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Very low
- Zones: 6–9
Deer-resistant, drought-resistant, and great as a low hedge or groundcover.
9. Scarlet Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus coccineus)
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This clump-forming cactus offers a spectacular show of scarlet-red flowers in spring and thrives in desert settings.
- Mature Size: 1 ft tall, 2–3 ft wide
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Very low
- Zones: 5–10
Low-maintenance, fast-draining, and eye-catching for rock gardens.
10. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
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Wispy, gray-green stems topped by violet-blue spires bloom late summer into fall, adding a long-lasting, ethereal look.
- Mature Size: Up to 4 ft tall and wide
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Low
- Zones: 4–9
Unfazed by drought, heat, or poor soils—practically maintenance-free.
11. Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora)
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Narrow blue-green leaves and tall, coral flowering spikes from late spring to fall; attracts hummingbirds.
- Mature Size: 2–3 ft tall, spikes up to 5 ft
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Low
- Zones: 6–11
Hardy, architectural, and outstanding in groups or as a specimen.
12. Woolly Thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus)
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A ground-hugging mat covered with tiny, woolly leaves and soft pink flowers in summer.
- Mature Size: 2–3 inches tall, spreads 1–2 feet
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Low
- Zones: 5–9
Perfect for cracks in paving, slopes, or edging—walkable, fragrant, and bee-friendly.
13. Agave ‘Blue Glow’ (Agave hybrid)
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A compact, award-winning agave with smooth, symmetrical blue-green leaves that have striking red and gold margins.
- Mature Size: 1–2 ft tall and wide
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Very low
- Zones: 8–11
High-impact focal point, container, or small-space plant requiring almost no care.
14. Autumn Joy Sedum (Hylotelephium spectabile ‘Autumn Joy’)
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Early greens become domes of sunset-pink blooms, maturing to rich copper into autumn; bees and butterflies love it.
- Mature Size: 18–24 in. tall and wide
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Low
- Zones: 3–9
Low-maintenance, season-spanning color, and no irrigation needed once established.
15. Rockrose (Cistus x pulverulentus)
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A tough Mediterranean shrub with deep green leaves and bursts of papery pink or white flowers in spring.
- Mature Size: 2–4 ft tall and wide
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Very low
- Zones: 8–10
A champion at handling dry slopes and poor sandy soils.
16. Sonoma Sage (Salvia sonomensis)
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Low mats of aromatic, wrinkled, silver-green foliage with spikes of violet-blue flowers in spring.
- Mature Size: Up to 2 ft tall, spreading 6–15 ft
- Light: Full sun to some shade
- Water: Minimal
- Zones: 8–10
Outstanding native groundcover and pollinator powerhouse.
17. Bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus)
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Bright red “brush” flowers adorn this evergreen shrub throughout warm seasons. Drought- and salt-tolerant.
- Mature Size: 6–12 ft tall, 6–8 ft wide
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Low
- Zones: 8–11
Excellent for hedges, stand-alone accents, and attracting hummingbirds.
18. New Zealand Flax (Phormium tenax)
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Long, upright, sword-like leaves in green, bronze, or variegated forms command attention—and flower spikes tower above in summer.
- Mature Size: 3–10 ft tall and wide
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Low
- Zones: 8–11
Textural “wow” for modern or tropical-inspired xeriscapes—durable and wind-resistant.
19. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
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Lightly aromatic, feathery foliage topped with clusters of flowers in shades of yellow, pink, or white.
- Mature Size: 2–4 ft tall, 2–3 ft wide
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Very low
- Zones: 4–8
Simple to grow, adaptable, and fabulous for pollinators.
20. Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca)
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Compact clumps of icy blue foliage and fine, spiky texture last all year.
- Mature Size: 8–12 in. tall, 12 in. wide
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Low
- Zones: 4–8
Edging, accent, or mass plant for blue-toned brilliance in dry borders.
21. Spanish Dagger (Yucca aloifolia)
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Upright, sword-shaped leaves and showy summer spikes of creamy white blooms deliver drama and drought-resistance.
- Mature Size: Up to 15 ft tall
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Low
- Zones: 8–10
Unfazed by heat, wind, or sandy soils—great for bold backgrounds or living fences.
22. Ice Plant (Delosperma cooperi)
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A prolific groundcover known for neon magenta blooms and succulent, water-storing leaves.
- Mature Size: 3–6 in. tall; spreads several feet
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Very low
- Zones: 5–9
Perfect for slopes, between stepping stones, or “river” of color in hot, dry parts of the garden.
23. Allegheny Spurge (Pachysandra procumbens)
Image Credit: Photo by David J. Stang – source: David Stang. First published at ZipcodeZoo.com, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wiki Commons.
Glossy evergreen groundcover in Eastern woodlands; thrives even in dry shade and produces fragrant white spring flowers.
- Mature Size: To 6 in. tall, 1–2 ft wide
- Light: Part to full shade
- Water: Low
- Zones: 5–9
Top performer for under trees or dry, shady nooks.
24. Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos flavidus)
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This Australian import flaunts fuzzy tubular blooms in red, yellow, and green, rising above fan-like foliage.
- Mature Size: 2–4 ft tall and wide
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Low
- Zones: 9–11
Unrivaled for unique shape and color in warm, arid gardens.
25. Buffalo Grass (Bouteloua dactyloides)
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A native prairie grass forming soft, low carpets that require almost no mowing or watering.
- Mature Size: 4–8 in. tall, spreading up to 12 ft
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Very low
- Zones: 5–10
Low-maintenance, barefoot-friendly, and unbeatable for eco-lawns. It actually hates moisture and shade, so keep it dry and in a sunny spot.
Xeriscaping Your Yard
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When planning your plot with low maintenance options, remember to vary leaf shapes, flower times, and plant heights to ensure an ever-changing, waterwise tapestry.
A thoughtfully chosen xeriscape means more color, less work, and a thriving landscape—even during the hottest, driest summers. Remember: even the hardiest of plants like water in their first year and during extreme heat waves.
