21 Best Xeriscaping Plants To Create A Stunning Garden

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If you’re looking for a way to maintain a beautiful garden without using excessive water, xeriscaping is the solution! By selecting drought-tolerant plants that thrive in dry conditions, you can create a stunning, sustainable landscape that conserves water. This guide shows you the best plants for xeriscaping so your garden remains lush and attractive even in the hottest months!

What Is Xeriscaping?

Xeriscaping is a landscaping method designed specifically for regions prone to drought or areas where water conservation is essential.

The idea is simple: choose a variety of plants that require a minimal amount of water.

By incorporating drought-tolerant species, along with proper soil preparation and efficient irrigation, you can maintain a lush garden even in the driest climates.

The result is a resilient, eco-friendly garden that not only conserves water but also reduces the need for frequent maintenance.

Best Plants For Xeriscaping

Here are the best xeriscaping plants that will transform your garden into a drought-tolerant landscape:

1. Lavender

French lavender (Lavandula dentata) growing in a garden.

Lavender is one of the most popular xeriscaping plants due to its striking purple blooms and fragrant aroma.

This Mediterranean native thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, which makes it ideal for dry conditions.

Lavender does not require much water once it’s established, making it a perfect addition to a low-maintenance xeriscape garden.

Its soothing scent also attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, adding biodiversity to your landscape.

Learn more about how and when to plant Lavender here!

2. Juniper

Juniper on the bush. Close up berries in the forest.

Junipers are evergreen shrubs that come in many varieties, from low ground covers to tall trees.

Their hardiness and ability to thrive in poor soil make them perfect for xeriscaping.

Junipers require minimal watering once they are established, making them an ideal choice for water-wise landscapes.

They also add year-round greenery and provide excellent windbreaks or ground stabilization in sloped areas.

3. Stonecrop (Sedum)

Spanish stonecrop sedum perennial plant growing in full sun.

Stonecrop, also known as Sedum, is a hardy succulent that excels in xeriscaping.

Its fleshy leaves store water, allowing it to survive long periods of drought.

Available in a wide range of colors and forms, from ground covers to taller varieties, stonecrop is highly versatile.

Whether used in rock gardens, borders, or containers, Sedum provides both beauty and resilience to your garden.

4. Russian Sage

Russian sage perennial that bloom spring to fall

Russian sage is a perennial known for its tall spikes of lavender-blue flowers and silvery, aromatic foliage.

It thrives in full sun and poor, well-drained soil, making it an ideal choice for dry, arid conditions.

This plant is extremely drought-tolerant and once established, requires minimal care.

Its long-blooming flowers also attract pollinators like bees, adding life to your xeriscape design.

5. Purple Coneflower

Purple coneflower, or Echinacea, is a drought-tolerant perennial with vibrant purple petals surrounding a spiky central cone.

Native to North America, it thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soil.

Once established, purple coneflower is remarkably resilient, requiring less water than other native perennials.

It’s also a magnet for pollinators and birds, adding ecological value to your landscape.

6. Agave

Agave is a desert plant known for its dramatic, architectural form and spiky leaves.

This hardy succulent stores water in its thick, fleshy leaves, allowing it to survive in extremely arid environments.

Agaves require little to no water once established, making them ideal plants for xeriscaping.

In addition to their drought tolerance, their bold, sculptural appearance makes them standout focal points in any garden.

7. Coreopsis

Coreopsis flowers growing in a small flower bed in the front yard.

Coreopsis, also known as tickseed, is a sun-loving perennial with bright yellow flowers.

This hardy plant is well-suited for xeriscaping as it thrives in poor, dry soils and requires little water.

Coreopsis attracts butterflies and other pollinators, contributing to a lively, biodiverse garden.

With its long blooming season, it brings cheerful color to your landscape from early summer into fall.

8. Ice Plant

Purple lampranthus Pink color flower of Ice plant in the nature

Ice Plant is a low-growing succulent that produces an abundance of bright, daisy-like flowers in vibrant shades of pink, purple, and orange.

Its fleshy leaves help retain moisture, making it highly drought-tolerant and perfect for xeriscaping.

The Ice Plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring minimal water and care.

Its spreading habit makes it an excellent ground cover for hot, dry areas in your garden.

9. Yarrow

Yarrow plant or Achillea Millefolium blooming in a perennial garden

Yarrow is a tough perennial with fern-like foliage and flat-topped clusters of small flowers.

It’s incredibly drought-tolerant and thrives in dry, well-drained soil, making it a great choice for xeriscaping.

Yarrow’s flowers bloom in shades of white, yellow, pink, and red, attracting pollinators like butterflies and bees.

Once established, yarrow requires very little water and can tolerate poor soil conditions.

10. Yucca

Spanish dagger yucca in a xeriscape garden landscape.

Yucca, particularly the Spanish Dagger variety, is a tough, drought-resistant plant with sharp, sword-like leaves.

It thrives in hot, dry environments, requiring very little water once established.

Yucca also produces tall spikes of white, bell-shaped flowers that add visual interest to your garden.

Its architectural form and ability to thrive in poor soil make it an excellent choice for xeriscaping.

11. Thyme

Wild mountain Thyme plant growing in a rock garden.

Thyme is a drought-tolerant herb that works beautifully as a ground cover in xeriscape gardens.

It thrives in full sun and poor, well-draining soil, requiring very little water once established.

Thyme is also highly aromatic, adding fragrance to your garden while attracting pollinators like bees.

Its tiny flowers and dense growth habit make it both functional and ornamental in a xeriscape setting.

12. Aloe

Aloe plant in the garden under the sun in summer in Almeria, Spain

Aloe is a well-known succulent prized for its medicinal uses as well as its tolerance for drought conditions.

This plant stores water in its thick, fleshy leaves, allowing it to thrive in hot, dry climates with little to no irrigation.

Aloe requires well-drained soil and full sun to thrive, making it a great choice for xeriscaping.

In addition to its practical uses, aloe’s striking appearance adds visual interest to your garden.

13. Hens and Chicks

Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum) are small, rosette-forming succulents that are perfect for dry, rocky areas.

These tough plants require very little water and can tolerate poor soil conditions, making them ideal for xeriscaping.

Hens and Chicks are low maintenance and spread easily, creating a mat of attractive foliage.

Their compact size and charming rosettes make them excellent for borders, rock gardens, or containers.

14. Salvia

Salvia is a drought-tolerant perennial that produces tall spikes of colorful flowers, often in shades of blue, purple, or red.

This heat-loving plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it a popular choice for xeriscaping.

Once established, salvia requires minimal watering and is highly resistant to dry conditions.

Its nectar-rich flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, adding vitality to your garden.

15. Penstemon

Penstemon plant with purple flowers growing in a field.

Penstemon, also known as beardtongue, is a hardy perennial that produces tubular flowers in a wide range of colors.

This plant thrives in dry, rocky soils and requires minimal water once established, making it perfect for xeriscaping.

Penstemon’s flowers attract hummingbirds and other pollinators, adding life and movement to your garden.

Its upright growth habit and colorful blooms make it a striking addition to dry, sun-filled landscapes.

16. Blue Fescue

Blue fescue ornamental grass for xeriscaping.

Blue Fescue is a drought-tolerant ornamental grass known for its striking blue-gray foliage.

This compact grass thrives in dry, well-drained soil and requires very little water once established.

Blue Fescue adds texture and color to xeriscape gardens and is often used as an accent plant or border.

Its clumping habit and low-maintenance nature make it an excellent choice for water-wise landscaping.

17. Creeping Phlox

Creeping Phlox is a low-growing perennial that forms a dense mat of colorful flowers in spring.

It thrives in dry, well-drained soil and requires minimal water usage, making it an ideal ground cover for xeriscaping.

Creeping Phlox spreads easily, providing excellent coverage for bare patches or rocky areas in your garden.

Its showy blooms come in shades of pink, purple, and white, adding a splash of color to your beautiful landscape.

18. Dianthus

Brightly coloured clump of sweet williams, dianthus barbaticus,in shades of pink, red, purple, scarlet, cerise.

Dianthus is a charming, drought-tolerant plant known for its fragrant, fringed flowers.

This hardy perennial thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring little water once established.

Dianthus comes in a variety of colors, including pink, red, and white, and blooms throughout the growing season.

Its compact size and vibrant flowers make it perfect for borders, rock gardens, or containers in a xeriscaped garden.

19. California Poppy

Close up of orange California poppy flowers in a garden.

California Poppies are vibrant, drought-tolerant wildflowers known for their brilliant orange blooms.

They thrive in dry, poor soils and require very little water, making them perfect for xeriscaping.

These annuals reseed themselves, providing a low-maintenance pop of color year after year.

Their cheerful blooms attract pollinators and brighten up any dry, sun-drenched garden space.

20. Cranesbill Geranium

Hardy geranium also known as cranes bill with pink purple flowers.

Cranesbill Geranium is a hardy perennial that tolerates dry conditions once established.

Its delicate, five-petaled flowers bloom in shades of pink, purple, and blue, providing a soft touch to xeriscaped gardens.

Cranesbill thrives in full sun or partial shade and can handle poor, well-drained soils.

It’s also a low-maintenance option, requiring minimal watering and care throughout the growing season.

21. Lamb’s Ears

Lambs ear plant growing in a rock garden.

Lamb’s Ears are known for their soft, silvery leaves that resemble the ears of a lamb.

This drought-tolerant perennial thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring very little water once established.

Its unique texture and color add interest to xeriscape gardens, especially when paired with other drought-resistant plants.

Lamb’s Ears are also low-maintenance plants, making them a great choice for gardeners looking for easy-care, water-wise plants.

Conclusion

By selecting the right plants for xeriscaping, you can create a stunning garden that thrives in even the most challenging dry conditions.

These drought-tolerant xeriscape plants not only conserve water but also provide year-round beauty, color, and texture to your landscape.

Whether you choose hardy succulents, vibrant perennials, or ornamental grasses, xeriscape landscaping allows you to enjoy a lush garden with little maintenance.

21 Best Xeriscaping Plants To Create A Stunning Garden

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read our affiliate disclosure here.

What Is Xeriscaping?