12 Best Drought-Tolerant Plants
Beat hot, dry summers with 12 drought-tolerant garden plants from the RHS and Clemson University lists - colourful, tough, and needing little water once established - plus how to get them established.
The drought-tolerant garden plants below - lavender, Russian sage, sedum, yarrow, lamb’s ear and others - appear on the drought lists of the Royal Horticultural Society or Clemson University’s Home & Garden Information Center, and need little extra water once established. The key word is “established”: Clemson stresses that all plants need water while their roots establish, which can take from one to several years depending on the size of the plant.
How plants cope with drought
The RHS notes that many drought-tolerant plants have silver or grey-green leaves, whose light colour reflects the harsh sun, and that some have a coating of fine hairs on their leaves or stems that helps trap moisture around the plant. Succulents store water in their fleshy leaves or stems (RHS).
At a glance: 12 drought-tolerant plants
| Plant | Type | Listed by | Notes from the source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lavender | Shrub | RHS, Clemson* | Sun, well-drained low-fertility soil (Clemson) |
| Russian sage | Perennial | RHS, Clemson* | RHS lists Salvia ‘Blue Spire’ (formerly Perovskia) |
| Rosemary | Shrub | Clemson* | |
| Coneflower | Perennial | Clemson | Sun, well-drained, low-fertility soil; heat tolerant |
| Yarrow | Perennial | Clemson* | Sun, well-drained soil |
| Blanket flower | Perennial | Clemson* | Sun, well-drained soil; very adaptable |
| California poppy | Annual | RHS | |
| Sea holly | Perennial | RHS | |
| Sedum (stonecrop) | Perennial | RHS, Clemson* | Sun or light shade; well-drained soil; adaptable (Clemson) |
| Lamb’s ear | Perennial | Clemson* | Sun to light shade; well-drained soil |
| Agave and yucca | Succulent | Clemson* | Agave: sun, very well-drained dry soil; yucca: sun, dry soil |
| Ornamental grasses | Perennial | RHS | RHS lists Stipa gigantea |
* Clemson marks these among the plants with the most drought tolerance once established.
The drought-tough backbone
Lavender
Lavender is on both lists. The RHS lavender guide says it thrives in full sun and that, once well established, it rarely needs watering in the ground except in severe drought; water newly planted lavender regularly through its first summer.
Russian sage
Russian sage is on Clemson’s list of the most drought-tolerant perennials, and the RHS lists Salvia ‘Blue Spire’ (formerly Perovskia), a Russian sage, among its drought-tolerant plants.
Rosemary
Clemson marks rosemary among the most drought-tolerant shrubs once established.
The drought-tough colour
Coneflower (Echinacea)
Coneflower is on Clemson’s list for sun and well-drained, low-fertility soil, and is heat tolerant.
Yarrow
Clemson marks yarrow among the most drought tolerant, for sun and well-drained soil.
Blanket flower (Gaillardia)
Clemson marks blanket flower (Gaillardia x grandiflora) among the most drought tolerant, for sun and well-drained soil, and calls it very adaptable.
California poppy
The RHS lists the California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) among its drought-tolerant plants.
Sea holly
The RHS lists sea holly (Eryngium) among its drought-tolerant plants.
The drought-tough texture
Sedum (stonecrop)
Sedum is on both lists; Clemson marks it among the most drought tolerant, for sun or light shade.
Lamb’s ear
Clemson marks lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina) among the most drought tolerant, for sun to light shade in well-drained soil.
Agave and yucca
Clemson marks both among the most drought tolerant: agave (century plant) for sun and very well-drained, dry soil, and yucca for sun and dry soil.
Ornamental grasses
The RHS includes grasses, such as Stipa gigantea, in its drought-tolerant selection.
How to establish a drought-tolerant garden
“Drought-tolerant” does not mean “no water ever”. The RHS and Clemson both stress the establishment period:
- Water while the roots establish. Clemson says all plants need water while establishing their roots and during long droughts, and that establishment can take one to several years; larger plants take longer.
- Plant small. The RHS suggests small specimens, so they get used to their conditions gradually.
- Plant sun-lovers in spring. The RHS suggests planting less hardy, silver-leaved sun-lovers in April so their roots establish before winter.
- Improve the soil, but don’t feed. The RHS suggests adding organic matter before planting to improve both water availability and drainage, but no fertiliser: it encourages lush growth that may flop in summer, need extra watering and suffer frost damage in winter.
- Water less often but more thoroughly, then let the surface dry before watering again (RHS).
Frequently asked questions
Do drought-tolerant plants need any watering?
Yes, while they establish. Clemson says that can take one to several years, and that plants also need water during extended drought.
What makes a plant drought-tolerant?
The RHS points to silver or grey-green leaves that reflect the sun and fine hairs that trap moisture; succulents store water in fleshy leaves or stems.
Can a drought-tolerant garden still be colourful?
Yes: coneflower, blanket flower, yarrow, lavender and California poppy are all on the RHS or Clemson lists.
Should I fertilise a dry garden?
The RHS advises against fertiliser at planting, because lush growth needs more water.
Sources
- Royal Horticultural Society, Drought-resistant plants, How to grow lavender and How to grow cacti and succulents. Read 28 October 2026.
- Clemson University Home & Garden Information Center, Plants that Tolerate Drought. Read 28 October 2026.
Recommended Gear on Amazon
- Lavender plants (live) - browse current options and reviews on Amazon.
- Sedum plants (live) - browse current options and reviews on Amazon.
- Drip irrigation kit - browse current options and reviews on Amazon.
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