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We’re excited to explore some of the best plants for xeriscape gardens. These low-water landscapes are gaining popularity as more people look for ways to save water and create beautiful outdoor spaces. Xeriscaping uses drought-tolerant plants that need little watering once established.
Many great options exist for xeriscape plants, from colorful flowers to interesting succulents and grasses. We’ll look at 21 top choices that can thrive in dry conditions while adding beauty to your yard. These plants are water-wise and tend to be low-maintenance and attractive to birds and butterflies.
1. Agave
Agave is an excellent choice for xeriscape gardens. We love its striking form and architectural appeal. These succulents come in many sizes, from small to towering varieties.
Agaves thrive in hot, dry conditions. Once established, they need very little water, and their thick, fleshy leaves store moisture efficiently. We recommend planting agaves in full sun. They do best in well-draining soil. Some popular species include Agave americana and Agave parryi.
Agaves make bold statements as focal points. They also work well grouped with other drought-tolerant plants. Just be careful of their sharp leaf tips when placing them.
2. Sedum
Sedum, also known as stonecrop, is a top choice for xeriscape gardens. These succulents come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. Their leaves store water, making them perfect for dry conditions.
Sedums are easy to grow and need little care once established. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. These plants can handle poor soil and drought with ease. We love sedums for their variety. Some form low-growing mats, while others grow tall and upright. Their flowers attract butterflies and bees, adding life to the garden.
Sedum is versatile too. It works well in rock gardens, containers, and as ground cover. With so many options, sedums are a must-have for any low-water landscape.
3. Lavender
Lavender is a fantastic choice for xeriscape gardens. This aromatic herb thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. It’s known for its beautiful purple flowers and fragrant foliage.
We love lavender because once established, it requires little water. It’s also resistant to pests and diseases, making it easy to care for. There are many varieties of lavender suited for different climates. Some popular options include English lavender, French lavender, and Spanish lavender.
Lavender attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies to your garden. It can be used as a border plant, in rock gardens, or as a standalone feature.
4. Salvia
Salvia is a top choice for xeriscape gardens. This versatile plant comes in many varieties, offering a range of colors and sizes.
Salvias thrive in full sun and need little water once established. They attract pollinators like bees and butterflies to the garden.
Many salvia species bloom for long periods, adding vibrant color throughout the growing season. Their fragrant foliage is an added bonus.
We love how easy salvias are to care for. They’re resistant to pests and diseases, making them low-maintenance options for busy gardeners.
5. Russian Sage
Russian sage is a top choice for xeriscape gardens. This hardy plant thrives in hot, dry conditions with little care. It produces lovely purple flowers that bloom for months.
We love Russian sage for its silvery-gray foliage. This adds nice texture to gardens. The plant grows 3-5 feet tall and wide, creating an eye-catching display.
Russian sage attracts bees and butterflies. It’s also deer-resistant, making it great for many areas. Once established, it needs almost no watering.
This plant does best in full sun and well-drained soil. We recommend pruning it in early spring to keep it tidy.
6. Yarrow
Yarrow is a popular choice for xeriscape gardens. This tough perennial thrives in full sun and can handle dry conditions with ease.
Yarrow comes in various colors, including white, yellow, pink, and red. Its flowers bloom in flat clusters atop tall stems, creating a lovely display in the garden.
We love yarrow for its versatility. It works well in borders, rock gardens, and meadow-style plantings. Yarrow also attracts pollinators like butterflies and bees.
This plant is easy to care for and spreads quickly. We recommend cutting it back after blooming to encourage more flowers and keep it tidy.
7. Echinacea
Echinacea, also known as coneflower, is a great choice for xeriscape gardens. This tough plant thrives in full sun and needs little water once established.
We love echinacea for its colorful blooms that attract butterflies and bees. The flowers come in shades of purple, pink, white, and yellow.
Echinacea is easy to grow and maintain. It’s drought-tolerant and can handle poor soil conditions. This makes it perfect for low-water gardens.
The plant grows 2-4 feet tall and blooms from summer to fall. We recommend planting echinacea in groups for a stunning display.
8. Lantana
Lantana is a tough, colorful plant that thrives in hot, dry conditions. It’s perfect for xeriscape gardens and adds vibrant pops of color all summer long.
We love lantana for its cluster-like flowers that bloom in shades of yellow, orange, red, and pink. This plant attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, making it a lively addition to any garden.
Lantana is easy to grow and needs little care once established. It’s drought-tolerant and can handle poor soil conditions. We recommend planting it in full sun for the best flower production.
This versatile plant works well in borders, containers, or as ground cover. It’s also deer-resistant, which is a bonus for many gardeners.
9. Catmint
Catmint is a hardy perennial that’s perfect for xeriscape gardens. It has soft, gray-green foliage and produces spikes of lavender-blue flowers that bloom for weeks.
This plant is drought-tolerant and can thrive in full sun to partial shade. Catmint attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, making it a great addition to any low-water garden.
We love how easy catmint is to care for. It’s resistant to pests and diseases, and it doesn’t need much water once established. Catmint also spreads nicely, helping to cover bare spots in your xeriscape design.
10. Thyme
Thyme is a fantastic choice for xeriscape gardens. This hardy herb thrives in dry, sunny spots with well-draining soil. It forms low-growing mats of tiny leaves that spread to create excellent ground cover.
We love thyme for its variety of fragrances and flavors. Some types smell like lemon, while others have hints of caraway or mint. The small flowers attract bees and butterflies too.
Thyme needs very little water once established. It’s also deer-resistant and can handle foot traffic well. We recommend planting it between pavers or along pathways for a fragrant, drought-tolerant border.
11. Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses are perfect for xeriscape gardens. They add texture, movement, and year-round interest with minimal water needs.
Many ornamental grasses thrive in full sun and dry soil. They have deep root systems that help them find water even in drought conditions.
We love using fountain grass, blue fescue, and feather reed grass in xeriscape designs. These grasses create beautiful swaying effects in the breeze.
Maintenance is simple too. Most ornamental grasses only need yearly cutting back in late winter or early spring to remove dead foliage.
12. Red Yucca
Red yucca is a great choice for xeriscape gardens. Despite its name, it’s not actually a yucca but a plant in the Hesperaloe family. This plant boasts long, slender leaves and tall flower spikes with tubular pink or red blooms. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden.
Red yucca is very drought-tolerant once established. It thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. We love how it adds a sculptural element to low-water landscapes.
This hardy plant can handle temperatures down to -20°F, making it suitable for USDA zones 5-10. It’s a versatile option for many different climates and garden styles.
13. Coreopsis
Coreopsis is a bright, cheery flower that thrives in xeriscape gardens. We love its daisy-like blooms that come in shades of yellow, orange, and red.
This hardy plant is drought-tolerant once established. It needs full sun and well-draining soil to flourish.
Coreopsis attracts butterflies and other pollinators to the garden. It’s also deer-resistant, making it a great choice for many areas.
We recommend deadheading spent flowers to encourage more blooms. With proper care, coreopsis will provide color from early summer through fall.
14. Chaste Tree
Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) is a great choice for xeriscape gardens. This deciduous shrub or small tree thrives in hot, dry conditions. We love its showy purple flower spikes that bloom in summer and fall. They attract butterflies and bees to the garden.
Chaste tree grows 10-20 feet tall and wide. It needs full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it’s very drought-tolerant.
We recommend pruning chaste tree in late winter to control its size and shape. It’s a low-maintenance plant that rarely needs watering once mature.
15. Pineapple Guava
Pineapple guava is a great choice for xeriscape gardens. This evergreen shrub has silvery-green leaves and eye-catching red flowers. It’s drought-tolerant once established and can thrive with minimal water.
The plant produces edible fruits that taste like a mix of pineapple and guava. These fruits are a bonus for gardeners looking to grow food in their xeriscape.
Pineapple guava is adaptable to various soil types and can handle full sun or partial shade. It’s also resistant to pests and diseases, making it low-maintenance.
We recommend planting pineapple guava as a hedge or standalone feature in xeriscape designs. Its unique appearance and practical benefits make it a valuable addition to water-wise gardens.
16. California Poppy
California poppies are excellent xeriscape plants. These vibrant orange flowers thrive in dry, sunny spots with poor soil. We love how they bloom from spring to fall, adding cheerful color to low-water gardens.
These native wildflowers are easy to grow from seed. Once established, they need very little care. California poppies self-seed readily, spreading to fill bare areas over time.
We recommend planting California poppies in rock gardens or along borders. Their delicate, fern-like foliage provides a nice texture when not in bloom. For best results, give them full sun and well-draining soil.
17. Blue Fescue
Blue fescue is a compact ornamental grass that adds texture and color to xeriscape gardens. Its blue-green tufts form neat clumps, bringing year-round visual interest.
This drought-tolerant plant thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. Once established, it needs little water to maintain its attractive appearance.
We love blue fescue for its versatility in landscaping. It works well as a border plant, in rock gardens, or as a ground cover. Its low-growing habit makes it perfect for small spaces too.
Blue fescue is easy to care for and resists deer browsing. With its cooling hues and low maintenance needs, it’s an excellent choice for water-wise gardens.
18. Desert Willow
Desert Willow is a beautiful and tough plant for xeriscape gardens. It’s not a willow, but gets its name from its long, narrow leaves.
This small tree or large shrub blooms with showy pink or purple flowers. The blooms attract hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden.
Desert Willow thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s very drought-tolerant once established. We love how it adds height and structure to xeriscape designs.
In fall, long seed pods appear after the flowers fade. These add winter interest to the landscape. Desert Willow is a great choice for low-water gardens in warm climates.
19. Hens and Chicks
Hens and chicks are perfect for xeriscape gardens. These small succulents form tight rosettes that spread easily. We love how they come in different colors like green, red, and purple. They’re very low-maintenance and can handle hot, dry conditions well.
Hens and chicks grow best in full sun and well-drained soil. They don’t need much water once established. These plants work great in rock gardens or as ground cover. Their unique shapes add visual interest to any xeriscape design.
20. Ceanothus
Ceanothus, also known as California lilac, is a beautiful xeriscape plant. It thrives in dry conditions and requires little water once established.
This shrub produces stunning blue or purple flowers that attract pollinators. We love how it adds a pop of color to low-water gardens.
Ceanothus is native to North America and grows well in many regions. It’s hardy in USDA zones 8-10 and prefers full sun.
With its drought tolerance and low maintenance needs, Ceanothus is a great choice for xeriscaping. It helps conserve water while still creating an attractive landscape.
21. Rockrose
Rockrose is a fantastic xeriscape plant for low-water gardens. This hardy shrub thrives in dry, sunny conditions and requires very little maintenance.
We love rockrose for its beautiful, papery flowers that bloom in spring and early summer. The flowers come in shades of pink, white, and purple, adding a pop of color to any landscape.
Rockrose grows well in poor, rocky soil and can handle coastal conditions. It’s deer-resistant and drought-tolerant once established. We recommend planting rockrose in full sun for the best flowering.
This shrub typically reaches 3-4 feet tall and wide, making it a great choice for borders or as a focal point in smaller gardens. With its silvery-green leaves, rockrose adds year-round interest to xeriscape designs.
How to Plan a Xeriscape Garden
Planning a xeriscape garden requires careful thought about your local environment and water-saving design. We’ll explore key steps to create a beautiful, low-water landscape.
Assessing Your Soil and Climate
We start by testing the soil in our yard. A simple DIY kit can tell us if it’s sandy, clay-based, or loamy. This helps choose plants that will thrive. Next, we look at our local climate. How much rain do we get yearly? What are the hottest and coldest temperatures?
We make a list of native plants adapted to our area. These need less water and care than exotic species. We also check for sunny and shady spots in the yard. This guides plant placement for the best growth.
Designing for Water Efficiency
We draw a basic layout of our yard on paper. We mark areas for plants, paths, and features like patios. We group plants with similar water needs together. This prevents overwatering some while underwatering others.
We plan to use mulch in planting areas. This holds moisture in the soil and reduces evaporation. We include a drip irrigation system in our design. It delivers water right to plant roots, cutting waste. We add some hardscaping like rocks or gravel paths. These look nice and need no water at all.
