10 Drought Tolerant Plants That Are Great for Landscaping
This topic was brought up to me by some friends one night and it really got me thinking about how plants are so unique and adaptable to so many different environments. I was super excited to dive into research about all these cool drought tolerant plants and here are ten of them that peaked my interest the most!
Agave
Agave is found in arid and dry regions of the Americas as well as tropical locations in South America. They have shallow root systems that allow them to efficiently soak up water from rain and condensation. Agave’s ability to store water in their leaves allows them to adapt to areas where they might not get as much water. Agave should be watered one a week in the summer time and once a month in winter months. This can give your landscape a tropical or desert like feel.
Cacti
There are a diverse amount of cacti available and they all come in different shapes and sizes. Cacti are accustomed to dry conditions and have adapted well to these areas by being able to store water inside themselves. Like agave, cacti also possess shallow root systems that allow them to soak up water quickly. Cacti should be exposed to quite a bit of light and safely can be water around once a week. Make sure that there are proper drainage holes if the cacti is planted in a pot. An addition of a few cacti can create a desert oasis feel to your landscape.
Desert Rose
Desert rose comes from the southern and eastern parts of Africa as well as they are found in areas on the Arabian peninsula. This succulent produces beautiful flowers and has a thick stem that allows them to store water. The stem does not have the feel of a regular succulent and it takes a woody texture which makes this plant so unique. The Desert rose needs plenty of sunlight and cannot grow successfully without at least 6 hours. They generally produce beautiful fragrant flowers during the summer months. Desert rose should be watered only when the soil feels dry in the summer months and should be watered every three to four weeks in the winter time. This is supposed to help them be dormant in winter and allow them to bloom better in the spring and summer. An addition of this succulent to your landscape can give a beautiful tropical feel.
Lavender
Lavender is great for tea, simple syrup, sleeping and so much more! This is a great addition to any landscape and proves hassle free to grow. Lavender thrives in areas of direct unfiltered sunlight for around six hours a day. They are drought tolerant but do require regular watering for the first three months. They should not be watered every day, but every other day should make them pretty happy. An addition of lavender to your landscape can provide beautiful purples as well as help expand your culinary recipes to feature lavender pairings.
Succulents
Succulents thrive in arid areas with access to unfiltered sunlight. They are very adaptable and have the ability to store water to allow them to survive in areas that they may not receive as much water. Succulents come in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes and this allows them to fit in a variety of different landscapes with other plants. Succulents need good water drainage whether it be in a pot or in the soil. They should be watered once a week or when their soil is dry.
Yellow Alyssum or Stone Herb
Yellow Alyssum is smaller plant with yellow flowers that grow in clusters. They do have the tendency to spread quickly and easily, but provide a bright pop of yellow to any landscape. They can thrive in low quality soil but do need adequate drainage to keep them happy. They are great for landscapes that want low ground cover and they grow well in rocky landscapes which allows them to cascade over the rocks. Yellow Alyssum likes a full day of direct sun and should be watered when the soil is dry.
Aloe
Aloe has a unique and stark look almost appearing stemless and some other aloe varietals grow on stems. Their unique tentacle look makes them a cool addition to any landscape. Since Aloe is usually low to the ground they should be watered relatively infrequently. The soil should be left to dry one to two inches down before watering again to prevent them from rotting. They love direct sunlight and are happiest when they get around six to eight hours. They are a great addition to any landscape to give a tropical or beach feel and if you use aloe vera there are medicinal applications that you can benefit from as well.
Artichoke
Artichoke is a unique addition to this list, but it produces a beautiful flower as well as provides the option to consume the artichoke bud. The artichoke bud can be eaten right before the flower blooms but after the flower begins to bloom the artichoke begins to change and does not taste edible. Artichokes do well in temperate conditions with direct sunlight or partial shade and love to get watered one to three times a week. An addition of an artichoke to your landscape can produce both food and a beautiful purple flower.
Palo Verde
Recognizable for their bright yellow or green florals, the Palo Verde can draw eyes to your landscape as well as provide some nice shade and a pop of color. They thrive with exposure to natural light and good drainage keeps them healthy and happy. They are multi-trunked and pruning only really needs to be done to enhance their form. They do littler the ground with seed pods and flowers but they can provide a nice ground cover of yellow. Palo Verde can live happily being watered once every two to four weeks. This drought tolerant tree can provide a beautiful desert feel with a pop of color to your landscape.
Sweet Potato Vine
This beautifully colored vine is bread for its ornamental and colorful leaves. The dark pop of the black foliage makes a great plant to use as ground cover to make a dramatic feel in your landscape. The sweet potato vine requires moderate water around once a week or until the soil is dry. They can thrive in areas of full shade to full sun but prefer an environment somewhere in the middle. The soil needs to have proper drainage and humidity can be an asset to the sweet potato vine. This beautiful and dark plant can create a nice contrast in your landscape and provide some cool ground cover that is not very common.
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