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Drought-tolerant plants

Low- and very-low-water plants for dry gardens, Mediterranean climates, and water-wise design.

2,235 plants

Drought-tolerant plants in the database

Jerusalem Sage (Phlomis Fruticosa) — silver-green leaves and vibrant yellow flowers in tiered whorls from late spring to early summer

Shrub

Jerusalem Sage

Phlomis Fruticosa

FullUSDA 8–10
Jerusalem Sage (Phlomis Cashmeriana) — Its soft, woolly, gray-green leaves span roughly 6-8 inches long, adding textural contrast

Shrub

Jerusalem Sage

Phlomis Cashmeriana

FullUSDA 8–10
Jester Conebush (Leucadendron 'Jester') — A stand-out feature of this plant is its striking foliage; which makes it a smart choice for water-wise

Shrub

Jester Conebush

Leucadendron 'Jester'

FullUSDA 9–11
Jester Flax (Phormium 'Jester') — The Phormium 'Jester,' commonly known as Jester Flax

Shrub

Jester Flax

Phormium 'Jester'

FullUSDA 8–10
Jewel Of Desert Garnet (Delosperma 'Jewel Of Desert Garnet') — Delosperma 'Jewel of Desert Garnet' graces gardens with its vivid

Ground cover

Jewel Of Desert Garnet

Delosperma 'Jewel Of Desert Garnet'

FullUSDA 6–10
John Dourley Manzanita (Arctostaphylos 'John Dourley') — evergreen shrub with a mature size of about 3 feet tall and 6 feet wide

Ground cover

John Dourley Manzanita

Arctostaphylos 'John Dourley'

FullUSDA 7–10
Joint Pine (Ephedra Distachya) — It reaches up to 6-8 feet in height, with a 6-10 feet spread

Shrub

Joint Pine

Ephedra Distachya

FullUSDA 6–10
Jojoba, Goatnut (Simmondsia Chinensis) — Jojoba produces inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers; being dioecious; remember to allocate space for its full width

Shrub

Jojoba, Goatnut

Simmondsia Chinensis

FullUSDA 8–11
Jonquilla Narcissi (Narcissus Jonquilla) — commonly known as Jonquilla Daffodil; hardy in USDA zones 4-9, it prefers full to partial sun and, image 70

Bulb

Jonquilla Narcissi

Narcissus Jonquilla

FullUSDA 3–10
Joshua Tree (Yucca Brevifolia) — It is essential to give it ample space to accommodate its broad root system and mature size for a spectacular; each leaf

Tree

Joshua Tree

Yucca Brevifolia

FullUSDA 7–11
Judd Viburnum (Viburnum X Juddii) — The Judd Viburnum (Viburnum x juddii) is a deciduous shrub with an enchanting fragrance

Shrub

Judd Viburnum

Viburnum X Juddii

FullUSDA 5–8
Jujube, Chinese-Date, Tsao (Ziziphus Jujuba) — Hardy in USDA zones 5-9, Ziziphus jujuba is easy to care for and highly pest-resistant; is an attractive

Tree

Jujube, Chinese-Date, Tsao

Ziziphus Jujuba

FullUSDA 8–10
Jumping Cactus, Chainfruit Cholla (Opuntia Fulgida) — is a highly distinctive cactus native to the Sonoran Desert region

Cactus

Jumping Cactus, Chainfruit Cholla

Opuntia Fulgida

FullUSDA 9–10
June Grass (Koeleria Macrantha) — June Grass (Koeleria macrantha) is a perennial cool-season bunchgrass featuring fine-textured foliage

Grass

June Grass

Koeleria Macrantha

FullUSDA 5–10
Juniper (Juniperus Horizontalis 'Prostrata'.) — Often spreading wider than its height, it typically reaches 1-2 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide

Ground cover

Juniper

Juniperus Horizontalis 'Prostrata'.

FullUSDA 4–10
Jupiter's Beard, Red Valerian (Centranthus Ruber) — It thrives in USDA zones 5-9, reaching heights of 2-3 feet with a similar spread

Ground cover

Jupiter's Beard, Red Valerian

Centranthus Ruber

FullUSDA 4–10
Kaffirboom Coral Tree (Erythrina Caffra) — tree with orange and red blooms

Tree

Kaffirboom Coral Tree

Erythrina Caffra

FullUSDA 10–10
Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana) — a common issue in wet conditions; often with scalloped edges, image 77

Perennial

Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana

FullUSDA 10–11
Kaleidoscope Mangave (Mangave 'Kaleidoscope') — The Mangave 'Kaleidoscope' is a striking succulent that boasts a rosette of thick

Succulent

Kaleidoscope Mangave

Mangave 'Kaleidoscope'

FullUSDA 8–11
Kangaroo Paw 'Yellow' (Anigozanthos 'Yellow') — Typically reaching 2-3 feet in height and 1-2 feet in spread

Perennial

Kangaroo Paw 'Yellow'

Anigozanthos 'Yellow'

FullUSDA 8–10
Kanooka Box, Water Gum (Tristaniopsis Laurina) — exuding a charm that accentuates a multitude of landscape designs

Shrub

Kanooka Box, Water Gum

Tristaniopsis Laurina

FullUSDA 9–10
Karo (Pittosporum Crassifolium) — The glossy, leathery leaves are silver-green and can grow up to 4 inches long; demanding minimal to moderate irrigation

Shrub

Karo

Pittosporum Crassifolium

FullUSDA 9–9
Kashmir Cypress (Cupressus Cashmeriana) — the Kashmir Cypress will remain a striking feature in the garden for years to come

Conifer

Kashmir Cypress

Cupressus Cashmeriana

FullUSDA 4–11
Kent Beauty Oregano (Origanum 'Kent Beauty') — commonly referred to as Kent Beauty Oregano

Herb

Kent Beauty Oregano

Origanum 'Kent Beauty'

FullUSDA 5–9

Photographs are credited on each plant’s page.