Learn how to create a beautiful, low-maintenance garden with drought-resistant plants that thrive in dry conditions, even during the hottest summers.

Welcome to the world of drought-resistant gardening! Whether you’re dealing with water restrictions, looking to save on your water bill, or simply wanting to create a sustainable and low-maintenance garden, this guide is for you.

Here in New Jersey, we’ve had some challenging years where temperatures soared and rain was scarce. These conditions highlighted the importance of drought-resistant plants, which allow us to maintain beautiful gardens despite the weather.

By choosing the right plants and implementing smart gardening practices, you can enjoy a thriving garden even during dry spells.

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A flowering plant with clusters of pink and white blooms surrounded by green, leafy foliage. The plant is in a flower garden setting, with mulch on the ground and various other green plants, including growing Sedum Autumn Joy, in the background.
Sedum Autumn Joy as it begins to bloom

Benefits of Drought-Resistant Gardening

Drought-resistant gardening is all about making the most of what nature provides, even when water is scarce. This approach offers numerous benefits:

  • Water Conservation: By selecting plants that thrive with less water, you can significantly reduce your water usage, which is crucial during periods of drought.
  • Cost Savings: Lower water bills and reduced need for fertilizers and pest control can save you money in the long run.
  • Environmental Impact: Drought-resistant gardens help reduce water runoff and soil erosion, promoting healthier ecosystems.

Key Principles of Drought-Resistant Gardening

Creating a drought-resistant garden starts with understanding a few key principles. These practices will help you design and maintain a garden that flourishes with minimal water:

  • Soil Preparation: Good soil health is the foundation of a water-wise garden. Enhance your soil’s ability to retain moisture by adding organic matter such as compost.
  • Efficient Watering Techniques: Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to deliver water directly to the roots, reducing evaporation. Water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root growth.
  • Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around your plants to help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and keep the soil cool.

Choosing Drought-Resistant Plants

But the heart of drought-resistant gardening lies in selecting the right plants. These plants are adapted to thrive with minimal water, making them ideal for dry conditions. Here are the best beautiful choices for a drought-tolerant landscape.

Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

Lavender is a classic choice for drought-resistant gardens. Its fragrant flowers and grey-green foliage not only add beauty but also thrive in hot, dry conditions. Lavender’s deep roots make it particularly drought-tolerant, and its essential oils deter deer. It’s one of my favorites to grow and performs really well if you’ve got a well-draining garden bed.

  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
  • Type: Perennial
  • Bloom Time: Summer
  • Height: 1-3 feet
  • Width: 1-3 feet
  • Pollinator Attributes: Attracts bees and butterflies
  • Deer Resistance: Yes
A close-up of a field of growing English lavender in bloom. Tall stems with clusters of small purple flowers rise from the green foliage. The background is a soft blur of greenery, giving the image a serene and natural feel.
Lavender flowers

Sedum (Sedum spp.)

Sedum, or stonecrop, is a succulent that stores water in its leaves, allowing it to survive long periods without rainfall. Its variety of colors and forms make it a versatile choice for any garden.

I’m growing several sedum varieties in my gardens here and let me be the first to tell you how tough and beautiful they are. They add lots of color and texture to the borders and do really well during hot dry spells in my New Jersey garden.

  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9
  • Type: Perennial
  • Bloom Time: Late summer to fall
  • Height: .25 – 2 feet
  • Width: .5-2 feet
  • Pollinator Attributes: Attracts bees and butterflies
  • Deer Resistant: Yes
A garden scene featuring clusters of vibrant pink flowers with thick, green leaves. In the background is a small stone sculpture made of flat, stacked rocks, surrounded by mulch and other green foliage. A wooden fence is partially visible in the distance.

Agave (Agave spp.)

Agave plants are architectural wonders that require very little water. Their thick, fleshy leaves store moisture, making them extremely drought-tolerant. They add a striking element to xeriscape gardens and thrive in hot, dry climates.

  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 8-11
  • Type: Perennial
  • Bloom Time: Once in a lifetime
  • Height: .1-5 feet
  • Width: 2-6 feet
  • Pollinator Attributes: Attracts hummingbirds
  • Deer Resistant: Yes

Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)

Russian sage is known for its silvery foliage and abundant purple flowers. It thrives in poor, well-drained soils and requires minimal watering once established, making it an excellent choice for dry landscapes. We’ve got a large section of Russian sage in the formal garden that probably had it’s best year during the hottest, dryest summer on record in my zone 6b garden.

  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-9
  • Type: Perennial
  • Bloom Time: Summer to fall
  • Height: 3-5 feet
  • Width: 2-4 feet
  • Pollinator Attributes: Attracts bees and butterflies
  • Deer Resistant: Yes
picture of russian sage with purple flowers
Russian Sage

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Rosemary is a fragrant herb that does well in hot, dry conditions. Its needle-like leaves and woody stems are well adapted to retain moisture, and its blue flowers are a favorite among pollinators. It’s a tender perennial in my zone 6b garden, so I need to replant it yearly.

  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 7-10
  • Type: Perennial
  • Bloom Time: Spring
  • Height: 2-6 feet
  • Width: 2-4 feet
  • Pollinator Attributes: Attracts bees
  • Deer Resistant: Yes
rosemary in the garden

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Yarrow is a hardy perennial with fern-like foliage and clusters of colorful flowers. It is highly drought-tolerant once established and attracts beneficial insects to the garden. I’ve got a few varieties here that look really pretty coneflowers, agastache, nepeta, and coreopsis.

  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9
  • Type: Perennial
  • Bloom Time: Summer to fall
  • Height: 1-3 feet
  • Width: 1-2 feet
  • Pollinator Attributes: Attracts bees and butterflies
  • Deer Resistant: Yes
A lush garden bed filled with clusters of small flowers in varying shades of pink and light purple. The delicate blossoms are densely packed, creating a soft, vibrant display amidst green foliage.

Coneflower (Echinacea spp.)

Coneflowers are resilient plants with vibrant blooms that can withstand dry conditions. They are not only drought-tolerant but also attract a variety of pollinators, making them a valuable addition to any garden.

  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9
  • Type: Perennial
  • Bloom Time: Summer to fall
  • Height: 2-4 feet
  • Width: 1-2 feet
  • Pollinator Attributes: Attracts bees, butterflies, and birds
  • Deer Resistant: Moderately
Growing a cluster of vibrant purple coneflower with pink and orange flowers blooming in a lush green field. It's an amazing drought-tolerant plant once established - Purple coneflower care

Blanket Flower (Gaillardia spp.)

Blanket flowers are known for their brightly colored, daisy-like flowers. They thrive in dry conditions and require very little maintenance, making them ideal for water-wise gardens. It tried growing blanket flowers for several years in my former garden that never did well. Looking back, my soil held more moisture that this perennial did not love. I’m going to try growing it again here.

  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-10
  • Type: Perennial
  • Bloom Time: Summer to fall
  • Height: 1-3 feet
  • Width: 1-2 feet
  • Pollinator Attributes: Attracts bees and butterflies
  • Deer Resistant: Moderately

Thyme (Thymus spp.)

Thyme is a low-growing herb that forms a dense mat of fragrant foliage. It is very drought-tolerant and can be used as a ground cover or in rock gardens, adding both beauty and utility to the landscape.

  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
  • Type: Perennial
  • Bloom Time: Summer
  • Height: .25-.5 feet
  • Width: .5-1 feet
  • Pollinator Attributes: Attracts bees
  • Deer Resistant: Yes
thyme

California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)

The California poppy is renowned for its vibrant orange blooms. It thrives in dry, well-drained soil and requires very little water, making it a perfect choice for drought-tolerant gardens.

  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 6-10
  • Type: Perennial
  • Bloom Time: Spring to fall
  • Height: 1-2 feet
  • Width: .5-1 feet
  • Pollinator Attributes: Attracts bees and butterflies
  • Deer Resistant: Yes
poppies and nepeta
Poppies and nepeta

Nepeta (Catmint)

Nepeta, or catmint, is a tough, drought-tolerant plant that produces masses of blue flowers over a long season. Its aromatic foliage and deep-rooting habit make it well-suited to dry conditions. I’ve been growing nepeta for as long as I can remember. It’s gorgeous when it flowers and can get a second flush of blooms if you cut it back halfway in midsummer.

  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-8
  • Type: Perennial
  • Bloom Time: Late spring to early fall
  • Height: 1-3 feet
  • Width: .1-2 feet
  • Pollinator Attributes: Attracts bees and butterflies
  • Deer Resistant: Yes
Tall purple Nepeta 'Walkers Low' flowers in full bloom, set against a softly blurred background of lush green trees in a garden. The vibrant colors and focus on the flowers highlighting their delicate blooms (catmint). It's a great drought-tolerant plant that helps make it extremely low-maintenance
Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’

Salvia (Sage)

Salvia is a favorite in drought-tolerant gardens for its vibrant spikes of flowers and aromatic leaves. It requires minimal water once established and is highly attractive to pollinators. I’m growing a few salvia varieties here and can’t get enough of this plant. From experience, I can tell you that it does not like overly moist soil so it’s perfect for drier locations in your garden.

  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-9
  • Type: Perennial
  • Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
  • Height: 1-4 feet
  • Width: 1-3 feet
  • Pollinator Attributes: Attracts bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies
  • Deer Resistant: Yes

Drought-Resistant Garden vs. Drought-Tolerant Landscape

Understanding the distinction between a drought-resistant garden and a drought-tolerant landscape can help you make more informed choices for your outdoor space. A drought-resistant garden focuses on selecting plants that can survive prolonged dry periods with minimal watering.

In contrast, a drought-tolerant landscape takes a broader approach, incorporating various design elements such as soil preparation, efficient watering techniques, and mulching to create an environment that conserves water and supports drought-tolerant plants. Both approaches aim to create beautiful, sustainable gardens that thrive even in dry conditions.

Designing a Drought-Resistant Garden

Designing a drought-resistant garden involves more than just selecting the right plants. Here are some tips to help you create a beautiful and water-efficient landscape:

  • Xeriscaping: This landscaping method involves using drought-tolerant plants, minimizing lawn areas, and incorporating rocks, gravel, and mulch. Xeriscaping helps reduce water evaporation and creates a visually appealing garden.
  • Dry Garden Ideas: Incorporate a variety of textures and colors by using different types of drought-resistant plants. Combine succulents, perennials, and ornamental grasses to create an interesting and diverse garden.

Maintenance Tips for Drought-Resistant Plants

Once you have your drought-resistant garden established, proper maintenance will ensure its success. Here are some tips to keep your garden thriving:

  • Regular Monitoring: Check soil moisture levels regularly. While drought-resistant plants need less water, they still require some attention, especially during prolonged dry periods.
  • Pruning and Deadheading: Regular pruning and deadheading promote healthy growth and reduce water needs. Remove spent flowers to encourage new blooms and cut back any leggy growth.
  • Pest and Disease Management: Maintain garden health with minimal water by selecting disease-resistant plants and monitoring for problems. Healthy plants are less susceptible to infestations and diseases.
A vibrant garden features a blooming arrangement of pink coneflowers and clusters of light pink yarrow flowers. A stone path winds through the lush greenery, leading to a house in the background, surrounded by tall trees and a well-kept lawn.
Yarrow and Coneflowers

Final Thoughts on Drought-Resistant Gardening

Creating a drought-resistant garden is a rewarding endeavor that benefits both the environment and your wallet. By selecting the right plants and adopting smart gardening practices, you can enjoy a lush, thriving garden even in dry conditions.

A few summers ago, we experienced a harsh reminder of why drought-resistant gardening is so crucial. For two months, temperatures soared between 95-100 degrees with no rain in sight. Many of my plants that were not drought-tolerant simply couldn’t survive the heat and lack of water. Because my gardens are so expansive and not all are on drip irrigation, some plants roasted. This challenging period underscored the importance of choosing plants that can withstand such extreme conditions.

Remember, water-wise gardening is not only about choosing drought-tolerant plants but also about efficient watering techniques and soil management. Start small, experiment with different plants, and enjoy the beauty and sustainability of your drought-resistant garden.

For more information on drought-resistant landscaping, please read University of California Cooperative Extension and the University of Davis.

I’d love to hear about your experiences with drought-resistant gardening! Share your tips and stories in the comments below. And if you’re looking for more gardening inspiration, subscribe to my newsletter for the latest updates and advice.

To drill down on more beginner gardening techniques and tips, please read these posts:

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Enjoy your day! xo

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A collage of drought-tolerant plants for a low-maintenance garden includes lavenders, coneflowers, sage, yarrow, nepeta, and sedum. Text in the center reads "Best DROUGHT-TOLERANT PLANTS For a Low-Maintenance Garden." The website "stacyling.com" is at the bottom.
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Stacy Ling

Stacy Ling is author of the best selling book, The Bricks 'n Blooms Guide to a Beautiful and Easy-Care Flower Garden, and writes the blog Bricks ’n Blooms from her 1850 farmhouse located in zone 6b northern New Jersey. She is a master gardener who’s been gardening for over 25 years and enjoys sharing her passion to help beginners find their inner green thumb, as well as discover a love for all things plants and flowers. Stacy loves to bring the outdoors inside her home and decorates with a comfy, casual, and cottagecore style. Come grow stuff and create beautiful spaces with her.

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4 Comments

  2. Great post! I grow ALOT of lavender, thyme and rosemary. Had a crop of Queen Anne’s Lace pop up voluntarily this year and I am delighted as I was considering getting seeds. It is a very dry area where it came up and is thriving. I want to add some other drought resistant plants to this area. You’ve given me some good examples to use. Thank You🐝

    Reply

    1. I am so happy this post gave you some ideas! I have not had luck with Queen Anne’s lace yet but would love to grow them!!!

      Reply