Hot, dry summers are becoming more common, and your garden needs to be ready. Whether you live in a drought-prone region or just want to save water and effort, planting drought-tolerant species is one of the smartest choices you can make. These plants thrive with minimal watering, resist heat stress, and still bring beauty, texture, and color to your space.

In this guide, we’ll share 15 of the best drought-tolerant plants to help you create a resilient, low-maintenance garden — plus tips on how to support them during extreme heat.

Drought-tolerant plants are specially adapted to survive with little water. Many have deep root systems, waxy or hairy leaves that reduce moisture loss, and the ability to store water in stems or roots. These traits help them thrive in dry soil and high heat—perfect for summer gardens with limited irrigation.

This fragrant perennial loves full sun and dry soil. Once established, it needs little water and attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Sedums are succulent groundcovers that retain water in their fleshy leaves. They're excellent for borders, containers, or rock gardens.

With its tall, airy lavender-blue blooms, Russian Sage is a showstopper that thrives in heat and drought conditions.

These native wildflowers bloom all summer long and attract pollinators. They're tough, drought-tolerant, and great for cut flower arrangements.

Agaves are dramatic, low-maintenance succulents that store water in their thick leaves — ideal for arid climates or xeriscapes.

Yarrow’s feathery foliage and flat-topped flowers are heat- and drought-resistant. It naturalizes well and makes a great pollinator-friendly addition.

Vibrant, daisy-like flowers that bloom through summer and tolerate poor soil, heat, and drought.

This woody herb is both edible and ornamental. It thrives in full sun and dry soil, making it a garden staple in hot regions.

A cheerful annual that self-seeds easily and thrives in dry, sandy soil with minimal care.

Another pollinator magnet, Salvia offers spikes of vibrant color and tolerates both heat and drought.

These bright blooms love full sun and dry conditions. Great for borders, hanging baskets, or containers.

This silvery-leaved perennial thrives in poor, dry soil and offers a soft, textured contrast in the garden.

Coreopsis is a sun-loving perennial that offers months of bright, daisy-like flowers with minimal water.

A hardy groundcover herb that’s drought-tolerant, fragrant, and useful in the kitchen.

Zinnias are easy to grow from seed, bloom nonstop through heat, and require little water once established.

💧 Water Deeply, But Infrequently
Encourage deep root growth by watering thoroughly but less often. This helps plants become more self-sufficient during dry spells.

🌱 Use Mulch
Apply a layer of organic mulch (like straw, bark, or compost) around your plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

🌿 Improve Soil Health
Healthy soil holds water better. Use organic fertilizers like Arber’s All Purpose Fertilizer with biochar to improve water retention and nutrient delivery.

🪴 Plant Smart
Group drought-tolerant plants together in "dry zones" of your garden. This helps reduce overwatering and simplifies care.

☀️ Choose the Right Time to Plant
Plant in spring or early fall when temperatures are milder to give roots time to establish before peak summer heat.

You don’t have to sacrifice a thriving garden just because the heat is on. Choosing drought-tolerant plants is one of the best ways to create a sustainable, resilient landscape that stands up to summer stress. With the right plant choices, soil support, and smart watering habits, your garden can stay vibrant all season long — no matter how hot it gets.

Need help supporting your garden through the heat? Check out Arber’s line of organic fertilizers and root boosters designed to protect and strengthen your plants—even in extreme weather.