20 Vibrant Drought-Tolerant Plants for a Thriving Summer Garden

Drought-tolerant plants are perfect for a vibrant, low-maintenance garden that doesn’t require constant watering.

Designed to withstand hot, dry conditions, they’re ideal for warm climates and areas with water restrictions.

This list features 20 hardy plants—including colorful flowers, tough succulents, ornamental grasses, and resilient shrubs—that don’t just survive in full sun but thrive with minimal upkeep.

Whether you want to attract pollinators, enhance a rock garden, or create a striking landscape with little effort, these plants will help your garden flourish even in the toughest conditions.

Drought-Tolerant Flowering Plants

1. Lavender

If you want a fragrant, low-maintenance plant that thrives in dry conditions, lavender is a perfect choice.

Its silvery-green foliage and purple flower spikes add beauty to your garden while attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Lavender loves full sun and well-draining soil—sandy or rocky works best. Once established, it hardly needs watering, making it one of the toughest drought-tolerant plants you can grow.

Bonus: It repels mosquitoes and can be used in cooking, teas, and homemade essential oils.

2. Petunia

Looking for nonstop color with minimal effort? Petunias are a great option.

These bright, trumpet-shaped flowers bloom from spring to frost in shades of pink, purple, red, and white. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, making them ideal for garden borders, hanging baskets, and containers.

Petunias have deep roots that help them tolerate dry spells, and they naturally resist pests. To keep them blooming all season, just trim off the faded flowers.

3. Yarrow

If you're looking for a hardy, no-fuss plant that thrives in dry conditions, yarrow is a great choice.

Its flat clusters of tiny flowers come in shades of yellow, pink, red, and white, adding color to your garden even in the hottest months.

Yarrow grows well in poor, sandy, or rocky soil and barely needs water once established. Plus, it attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies while also inviting beneficial insects that help control pests.

As a bonus, yarrow has been used for centuries as a medicinal herb.

4. Pineleaf Penstemon

Want a drought-tolerant plant that brings hummingbirds to your garden? Pineleaf penstemon is the one. Its bright red, tubular flowers bloom in summer, creating a stunning contrast against its slender, evergreen leaves.

This tough perennial thrives in full sun and well-drained, sandy soil. Once it’s settled in, you won’t have to worry about watering—it can handle long dry spells with ease.

Whether you plant it in a rock garden, along pathways, or on a dry slope, it adds vibrant color with very little effort.

5. Agastache

If you want a plant that thrives in the heat, attracts pollinators, and smells amazing, agastache (also known as hummingbird mint) is a must-have.

Its spiky flowers bloom from summer to fall in shades of pink, purple, and orange, bringing hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies to your garden.

Agastache loves full sun and well-drained soil—gravelly or sandy works best. It’s also deer- and rabbit-resistant, so you won’t have to worry about unwanted nibblers.

Plus, its leaves have a light, minty scent that makes it perfect for herbal teas. Once it’s established, you can just sit back and enjoy the show—this plant thrives with little water or maintenance.

6. Salvia

Looking for a drought-tolerant plant that blooms nonstop? Salvia is an excellent choice.

It produces tall spikes of flowers in shades of purple, blue, red, and pink, brightening up your garden from spring to fall. Salvia loves full sun and well-drained soil, making it perfect for borders, flower beds, or even containers.

You won’t need to deadhead the flowers—they drop on their own, encouraging continuous blooming.

Best of all, salvia is a magnet for bees and hummingbirds but naturally repels deer and rabbits. Once it’s settled in, it hardly needs any water, making it one of the easiest plants to grow in dry conditions.

7. Russian Sage

If you need a tough, drought-resistant plant that brings color and texture to your garden, Russian sage is a fantastic choice.

Its tall, airy stems are covered in silvery-green leaves and delicate purple-blue flowers that bloom from summer to fall. This plant thrives in full sun and poor, dry soil—even neglect won’t bother it.

Once established, it barely needs watering and can handle extreme heat without a problem. Plus, its fragrant leaves naturally repel deer and rabbits while attracting bees and butterflies.

Whether you plant it as a border or mix it with ornamental grasses, Russian sage adds beauty with almost no effort.

8. California Poppy

For a pop of vibrant color with almost no maintenance, you can’t go wrong with California poppies.

These bright orange flowers thrive in full sun and dry, sandy soil, making them perfect for wildflower gardens, rock beds, or even roadside plantings.

They’re drought-tolerant, self-seeding, and resistant to pests and diseases. Once you plant them, they’ll keep coming back year after year with minimal care.

If you want continuous blooms, just trim off the dried flowers. Whether you're looking to fill empty spaces or add a carefree touch to your garden, California poppies are a simple yet stunning choice.

9. Coneflower

If you want a tough, long-blooming plant that thrives in dry conditions, coneflower is a perfect choice.

Its large, daisy-like flowers come in shades of purple, pink, orange, and white, adding bold color to your garden from summer to fall.

Coneflower loves full sun and well-drained soil, making it a great addition to borders, wildflower gardens, or even container plantings.

It’s also a magnet for pollinators—bees and butterflies love its nectar, while birds feed on its dried seed heads in the fall. Best of all, once established, it needs very little water and care, making it a true low-maintenance favorite.

10. Lantana

Looking for a bright, heat-loving plant that blooms nonstop? Lantana is a fantastic choice.

Its clusters of small, colorful flowers shift shades as they mature, creating a stunning mix of red, orange, yellow, pink, and purple.

Lantana thrives in full sun and dry soil, making it perfect for hot climates, coastal gardens, or even container arrangements.

It attracts butterflies but repels deer, and its woody stems help it withstand drought with ease. In warm regions, it grows as a year-round bloomer, while in colder areas, it works as a beautiful annual. Either way, lantana delivers color and beauty with almost no effort.

Drought-Tolerant Succulents & Ground Covers

11. Stonecrop Sedums

If you want a plant that thrives on neglect, stonecrop sedums are perfect for you. These hardy succulents store water in their thick, fleshy leaves, making them incredibly drought-resistant.

They love full sun and well-drained, sandy, or rocky soil—no special care needed. You can choose from low-growing ground cover varieties or taller, upright types, depending on your garden needs.

Once established, they rarely need watering, and they’re naturally resistant to deer and rabbits. In the fall, many sedums produce star-shaped flowers that attract bees and butterflies, adding even more beauty to your garden with almost no effort.

12. Hens and Chicks

For an easy, drought-proof plant that looks great in rock gardens, containers, or even cracks in stone walls, hens and chicks are a fantastic choice.

These tough little succulents form rosettes of thick leaves that store water, allowing them to survive long dry spells.

They grow well in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring almost no maintenance. The main “hen” produces smaller “chicks” that spread naturally, filling in spaces over time.

They’re also cold-hardy, so you don’t have to worry about them in winter. If you want a plant that practically takes care of itself, hens and chicks are the way to go.

13. Artemisia

If you're looking for a drought-tolerant plant with unique texture, artemisia is a great choice. Its feathery, silver-gray foliage adds a soft contrast to bright flowers and other greenery in your garden.

This tough perennial thrives in full sun and dry, sandy, or rocky soil, making it perfect for xeriscape gardens and borders.

Once established, it needs little to no watering and naturally repels deer and rabbits. Plus, its strong scent helps deter pests, so you won’t have to worry about insects damaging your plants.

Whether you use it as a backdrop or a filler plant, artemisia brings beauty with almost no effort.

14. Sedum (Upright Varieties)

For a low-maintenance plant that provides year-round interest, upright sedum is a must-have.

Unlike creeping sedums, these grow in clumps, producing thick stems topped with clusters of pink flowers that deepen to copper in the fall. They thrive in full sun and dry, poor soil, making them ideal for tough growing conditions.

Bees and butterflies love their nectar-rich blooms, and in winter, their dried flower heads add structure to your garden. Best of all, they require almost no care—just plant them and let them thrive with minimal watering.

If you want a plant that looks good in every season, upright sedum is a perfect fit.

Drought-Tolerant Shrubs & Trees

15. Crepe Myrtle

If you want a flowering tree or shrub that thrives in heat and dry conditions, crepe myrtle is a perfect choice.

It bursts into bloom from summer to early fall with clusters of pink, red, purple, or white flowers. This sun-loving plant grows well in sandy or clay soil and barely needs water once established.

Its peeling bark and colorful fall foliage add year-round interest to your landscape. Plus, it’s resistant to pests and disease, making it an easy-care option for a vibrant, drought-tolerant garden.

16. Juniper

Looking for a tough, evergreen plant that can handle dry conditions? Juniper is one of the most resilient options out there.

Whether you choose a low-growing ground cover or a taller shrub, juniper thrives in full sun and poor soil. Its deep root system helps it survive long periods without water, and its needle-like foliage stays green year-round.

It also works great for erosion control, privacy screens, and windbreaks. Best of all, juniper naturally repels deer and requires almost no maintenance—just plant it and let it do its thing.

17. Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)

If you want a plant that attracts butterflies while thriving in dry conditions, buddleia (also known as butterfly bush) is a great choice.

Its long, arching spikes of fragrant flowers bloom from summer to fall in shades of purple, pink, white, and yellow. This hardy shrub loves full sun and well-drained soil, making it perfect for hot, dry climates.

Once established, it barely needs watering and resists pests and diseases. To keep it blooming, just trim back the spent flowers. With minimal care, buddleia will turn your garden into a butterfly haven.

Drought-Tolerant Ornamental Grasses

18. Fountain Grass

For a graceful, drought-tolerant plant that adds movement to your garden, fountain grass is a top pick. Its soft, arching blades and feathery, foxtail-like plumes sway beautifully in the breeze.

This ornamental grass thrives in full sun and dry soil, making it perfect for borders, slopes, and mass plantings. It requires little maintenance—just occasional trimming—and is deer-resistant.

In the fall, its foliage turns golden, providing year-round interest. If you want an elegant, low-maintenance plant, fountain grass is a great addition to your landscape.

19. Prairie Flame Grass

If you want a low-maintenance plant that brings color and texture to your garden, prairie flame grass is a great choice.

This tall, clumping ornamental grass starts out green in summer and turns fiery red in the fall, adding a dramatic touch to your landscape.

It thrives in full sun and dry, well-drained soil, making it perfect for hot climates. Once established, it hardly needs water and resists pests and diseases. Plus, its feathery plumes sway beautifully in the wind, creating a dynamic, eye-catching display.

Unique Drought-Tolerant Accent Plant

20. Globe Thistle

Looking for a unique, drought-tolerant plant that stands out? Globe thistle is a great option. Its spiky, globe-shaped blue flowers bloom on tall stems, adding a striking contrast to your garden.

This hardy perennial thrives in full sun and dry, rocky soil, requiring little to no maintenance once established.

Bees and butterflies love it, while deer and rabbits stay away. It also makes an excellent dried flower for arrangements. If you want something bold and easy to grow, globe thistle is a perfect pick.

Grow a Resilient Garden!

A drought-tolerant garden takes the stress out of gardening in dry conditions.

Instead of constantly worrying about watering and struggling to keep plants alive, the right choices create a space that thrives with minimal effort.

The best part? It still looks lush and full of life.

Once the right plants are in place, the garden practically takes care of itself, proving that beauty and resilience can go hand in hand.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What makes a plant drought-tolerant?

Drought-tolerant plants have deep root systems, succulent leaves, or specialized adaptations that help them store water and survive in dry conditions. Many have thick, waxy foliage to reduce water loss, while others have hairy leaves that trap moisture.

2. Can drought-tolerant plants grow in any soil type?

Most drought-tolerant plants prefer well-drained soil like sandy or rocky soils, but some, like juniper and crepe myrtle, can adapt to clay or loamy soils. Good drainage is key to preventing root rot, especially for succulents.

3. How often should I water drought-tolerant plants?

Once established, most drought-tolerant plants need little to no watering beyond natural rainfall. However, newly planted drought-tolerant plants require regular watering for the first few weeks to help them develop strong root systems.

4. Do drought-tolerant plants need fertilizer?

Most drought-tolerant plants thrive in nutrient-poor soils and require little to no fertilizer. Over-fertilizing can lead to excessive growth and weaken their drought resistance. If needed, use a low-nitrogen, slow-release fertilizer in early spring.

5. Which of these plants attract the most pollinators?

Several plants on this list are excellent for attracting pollinators. Lavender, buddleia (butterfly bush), salvia, coneflower, and agastache are top choices for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, providing a reliable nectar source throughout the growing season.