13 Plants That Are Tolerant to Drought
We love our gardens, and take pride in our yards, but sometimes life just gets too busy, and we can’t always get out the hose and give our beloved plants a much-needed drink. If this sounds familiar, consider the plants on this list for your next gardening project – they are all resilient enough to go a long time between waterings.
Lace aloe leaves are emerald green and covered with white dentate bumps. In environments with insufficient light, its leaves will become thin. Lace aloe is superbly adaptable to different environments and is suitable for outdoor planting. Proper shading is needed in the summer or the plant will dry out, turn dark brown, or blacken.
The English lavender is a common flowering plant originally native to the Mediterranean region. Today, it is often used in scented products such as candles, oils, perfumes, soaps, and house sprays. The scent also has a deterrent effect against clothing moths.
Jerusalem thorn (Parkinsonia aculeata) is a plant species that can also be commonly known as palo verde, palo de rayo or Parkinsonia. The common name Jerusalem thorn is a mistranslation of the word girasol, which means turning toward the sun.
Foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) is an herbaceous plant related to plantains. Penstemon digitalis means “finger-like” due to the plant’s flowers resemblance to the fingers of a gloved hand. Foxglove beardtongue is easily grown and often cultivated on roadsides for landscaping purposes.
Blueblossom is an evergreen shrub that is common in the West Coast region of the United States. The flower clusters on this plant are tightly grouped into balls and colors range from purple and white to light blue and dark blue. Ceanothus thyrsiflorus can grow more than 20 ft tall.
Tea-tree (Leptospermum scoparium) is an upright evergreen shrub that blooms with showy white, pink, or red flowers. The flowers eventually fall off and are replaced by seed capsules. Broom tea-tree wood is regularly used in tool handles and when burnt can imbue meat with a pleasant smoky flavor.
Ivy geranium (Pelargonium peltatum) is a flowering perennial plant that grows in rocky, well-drained soils. It was first brought to Europe by the Dutch. Blue dye can be made from its flower petals. The genus name “Pelargonium” means “stork” and was so given because the shape of Ivy geranium’s fruits resemble that of a stork’s beak.
African fountain grass (Cenchrus setaceus) is a grass plant also commonly called crimson fountain grass. It grows throughout East Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Crimson fountain grass is drought tolerant and the existence of it increases the risk of fires. Crimson fountain grass is often considered to be an invasive species.
As you might be able to guess from its name, the Tall kangaroo paw is a plant that is native to Australia. These plants can range in color from yellow, orange, red, pink, or purple. Interestingly, the flowers on the Tall kangaroo paw plant vary with the temperature, and are more vibrant in cooler temperatures.
Pencil cactus (Euphorbia tirucalli) is a small tree shrub that grows best in warm arid climates and is named for its pencil-sized succulent branches. Pencil cactus is native to black clay soils in Africa and can be poisonous if ingested. It produces a latex compound that can be poisonous and cause blindness.
While most assume that the Sweet potato vine is a potato, it is not considered nightshade. However, sweet potatoes and potatoes both belong to the order of Solanales. Its culinary use is wide and can be fried, baked or boiled.
The Trumpet vine is a flowering plant that climbs as it grows. It gets its nickname from its bright flowers, which are shaped like long trumpet bells. The shape matches them well with the hummingbirds that love to visit for the nectar. The Trumpet creeper is originally native to eastern North America.
Pride of madeira (Echium candicans) is a flowering perennial herbaceous shrub native to the island of Madeira. Pride of madeira is considered an invasive species in California, New Zealand, and Australia. Pride of madeira is a popular ornamental plant in many places around the world for its drought tolerance and it attracts bees.