Plant pros reveal the prettiest, low-water plant options.
A landscape design that’s both climate-friendly and attractive lies in finding the right balance.
“A lovely flowering aromatic willadd visual interestand feed the native pollinators.
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Many drought-tolerant plants offer both eye-catching appeal and help to elevate biodiversity.”
“Lantana is one of the best options for color,” says Johnson.
“It alsoattracts loads of butterflies!”
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“I like to plant these grasses in groups of three or five,” suggests Johnson.
“They also have beautiful burgundy plumes in fall that add cool-season interest.”
It thrives in hot conditions and can also be grown in high elevations.
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“Lavender is a great plant that prefers full sun and well-drained soil,” says Iappini.
Choose from a range of colors, including blue, purple, and white.
“Red emu bush is a must-have for winter color that extends into spring,” says Johnson.
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“Reddish-pink flowersadd interest around the home when not much else is in bloom.
I recommend planting them in groups of three in bare spots throughout the garden.”
“Their startling blue flowers are a delight when they appear from winter into spring.”
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Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)
This flowering perennial herb has a unique fuzzy texture.
“It does well in partial-to-full sun,” says Lambton.
“It doesn’t love hot and humid, so it’s a great choice for dry climates.”
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This perennial prefers well-drained, sandy soils, requires very little water, and blooms from May to September.
“They bloom from late spring through October.”
A mature plant grows to 3 to 5 feet tall and requires plenty of sun.
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It’s sturdy enough to withstand wind and cold weather.
“It loves the sun and can hold up well in dry conditions.”
If you live in a warmer region, rosemary will have no problem growing year-round.
Lowe’s
Stonecrop (Sedum)
The fleshy leaves on this plant help it retain water in dry conditions.
“It comes in all shapes and sizes,” says Dailey.
They thrive in soil that can drain well.
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“It’s a go-to plant formeadow planting designs.”
The perennial bearded iris is particularly hardyit’s disease resistant and drought tolerant.
(They can grow up to 40 feet in width!)
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“Noted for actually blooming more when very dry, this is a show-stopper in the landscape.”
“There are more than a few agaves to choose from,” Lenhart says.
While it prefers a bit of moisture, it’ll still keep blooming in drought conditions.
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(Bonus: They’re a pollinator-friendly plant that’s popular with bees and butterflies.)
They’re a great easy-care plant option for beginner gardeners, as they require little maintenance.
They’re one of the best heat-tolerant plants.
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“Junipers are a very good drought tolerant option for the landscape,” Singleton says.
Oregano (Origanum Vulgare)
Many Mediterranean herbs thrive in drier conditions, including the perennial oregano.
It’s one of the best herb plants that don’t need water.
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These heat-tolerant plants need regular watering early on, but can tolerate drought later in the summer.
“Thebold yellow flowersare toned down a bit by its pale, sunbleached foliage.”
This hardy plant can tolerate not only drought, but poor soil conditions as well.
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Butterfly bushes thrive on neglect and while they prefer some moisture, they are drought tolerant.
It produces pretty flowers in the spring and summer.
It can also make a gorgeous house plant, too.
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They’re also prolific bloomers, producing flowers repeatedly from the summer into the fall.
They prefer sandy, well-draining soil, as they’re native to prairie areas.
While it can tolerate some shade, it thrives best in full sunshine.
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Providing the ideal soil and giving them full sun will make their blooms bluer.
If you’d like to keep them indoors, use succulent or cactus mix to keep them happy.
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Two varieties of sweet potato vine.Diane Macdonald/Getty Images
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Nepeta racemosa ‘Walker’s Low’ is a popular catmint.Neil Holmes/Oxford Scientific/Getty Images
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