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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

Sageleaf Rockrose (Cistus Salviifolius) — Each flower has a delicate yellow center; making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping

Ground cover

Sageleaf Rockrose

Cistus Salviifolius

FullUSDA 8–10
Sago Palm (Cycas Revoluta) — but it is particularly important to avoid overwatering to prevent root rot; it's important to note that the leaflets, image 59

Palm

Sago Palm

Cycas Revoluta

FullUSDA 8–11
Saguaro (Carnegiea Gigantea) — The Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea) is an iconic cactus native to the Sonoran Desert; adding to their distinctive silhouette

Cactus

Saguaro

Carnegiea Gigantea

FullUSDA 10–10
Saharan Cypress (Cupressus Dupreziana) — the Saharan Cypress requires full sun exposure and well-drained soil

Conifer

Saharan Cypress

Cupressus Dupreziana

FullUSDA 9–10
Salal (Gaultheria Shallon) — Salal, or Gaultheria shallon, is an evergreen shrub indigenous to western North America; it prefers partial shade to, image 97

Shrub

Salal

Gaultheria Shallon

Deep ShadeUSDA 5–11
Salmon Gum (Eucalyptus Salmonophloia) — it is crucial to understand that while the Salmon Gum is both beautiful and functional

Tree

Salmon Gum

Eucalyptus Salmonophloia

FullUSDA 9–11
Saltillo Sage, Coahuila Sage (Salvia Coahuilensis) — drawing in pollinators like bees and hummingbirds

Shrub

Saltillo Sage, Coahuila Sage

Salvia Coahuilensis

FullUSDA 8–10
Samobor Cranesbill (Geranium Phaeum 'Samobor) — Ideal for part to full shade

Perennial

Samobor Cranesbill

Geranium Phaeum 'Samobor

FullUSDA 4–9
San Antonio Sage (Salvia 'Sierra De San Antonio') — This drought-tolerant plant matures to 2 feet in height and spreads up to 2 to 3 feet

Perennial

San Antonio Sage

Salvia 'Sierra De San Antonio'

FullUSDA 8–10
Sandhill Sage, Coast Sagebrush (Artemisia Pycnocephala) — offering erosion control and year-round interest with its aromatic leaves

Shrub

Sandhill Sage, Coast Sagebrush

Artemisia Pycnocephala

FullUSDA 6–10
San Diego Dudleya (Dudleya Edulis) — The plant's ability to cope with rocky; its rosettes of fleshy, spoon-shaped leaves reach up to 6 inches wide

Succulent

San Diego Dudleya

Dudleya Edulis

FullUSDA 9–10
San Diego Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus Minutiflorus) — typically reaching up to 6-8 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide

Shrub

San Diego Mountain Mahogany

Cercocarpus Minutiflorus

FullUSDA 7–10
San Diego Sunflower (Bahiopsis Laciniata) — particularly in the arid climate zones of its native range.<br><br>Flowering mainly from April to October

Ground cover

San Diego Sunflower

Bahiopsis Laciniata

FullUSDA 9–10
Sandmat Manzanita (Arctostaphylos Pumila) — is an evergreen groundcover native to California's coastal regions

Ground cover

Sandmat Manzanita

Arctostaphylos Pumila

FullUSDA 9–9
Sand Mesa Manzanita (Arctostaphylos Rudis) — providing rich green foliage contrasted by reddish-brown bark

Ground cover

Sand Mesa Manzanita

Arctostaphylos Rudis

FullUSDA 7–10
Sandpaper Verbena (Verbena Rigida) — This sun-loving plant is drought-tolerant, requiring minimal care

Ground cover

Sandpaper Verbena

Verbena Rigida

FullUSDA 7–11
Sand Sage (Artemisia Filifolia) — commonly known as Sand Sage or Silver Sagebrush; where it receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day

Shrub

Sand Sage

Artemisia Filifolia

FullUSDA 4–8
Sandscrub Ceanothus (Ceanothus Dentatus) — Sandscrub Ceanothus (Ceanothus dentatus) is an evergreen shrub native to coastal California

Ground cover

Sandscrub Ceanothus

Ceanothus Dentatus

FullUSDA 8–10
San Jose Holly (Ilex X Aquipernyi 'San Jose') — reaching 10-15 feet tall with a 7-10 feet spread

Shrub

San Jose Holly

Ilex X Aquipernyi 'San Jose'

FullUSDA 6–10
San Miguel Island Buckwheat (Eriogonum Grande V. Rubescens) — With rounded clusters of rose-red flowers blooming in summer and fall

Ground cover

San Miguel Island Buckwheat

Eriogonum Grande V. Rubescens

FullUSDA 9–9
San Nicholas Chamise (Adenostoma Fasciculatum 'Nicolas') — is a drought-tolerant evergreen shrub

Shrub

San Nicholas Chamise

Adenostoma Fasciculatum 'Nicolas'

FullUSDA 6–10
San Pedro Cactus (Trichocereus Pachanoi) — It requires full sun exposure for optimal growth but can tolerate some light shade

Cactus

San Pedro Cactus

Trichocereus Pachanoi

FullUSDA 9–10
Santa Barbara Daisy, Mexican Daisy (Erigeron Karvinskianus) — and hanging baskets.<br><br>Regular deadheading can promote more abundant flowering, image 75

Ground cover

Santa Barbara Daisy, Mexican Daisy

Erigeron Karvinskianus

FullUSDA 9–10
Santa Barbara Lilac (Ceanothus Impressus) — adding to the plant's visual intrigue.<br><br>Growing to a robust size

Shrub

Santa Barbara Lilac

Ceanothus Impressus

FullUSDA 8–11

Photographs are credited on each plant’s page.