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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

Sea Lettuce, Coast Dudleya (Dudleya Caespitosa) — Preferring well-drained soils

Succulent

Sea Lettuce, Coast Dudleya

Dudleya Caespitosa

FullUSDA 11–11
Seashore Artemisia (Artemisia stelleriana 'Silver Brocade') — This drought-tolerant plant prefers well-drained soils and thrives in full sun

Shrub

Seashore Artemisia

Artemisia stelleriana 'Silver Brocade'

FullUSDA 8–9
Seaside Buckwheat (Eriogonum latifolium) — epitomizing low-maintenance gardening and lending a touch of wild

Ground cover

Seaside Buckwheat

Eriogonum latifolium

FullUSDA 9–10
Sea Squill (Drimia maritima) — In late summer to early fall, a singular spike ascends, reaching an imposing height of 4 to 5 feet

Bulb

Sea Squill

Drimia maritima

FullUSDA 8–10
Seemann's Agave (Agave seemanniana) — Ideal for xeriscaping, it thrives in USDA Zones 8-11, requiring full sun and well-draining soil

Succulent

Seemann's Agave

Agave seemanniana

HalfUSDA 9–11
Senegal Date Palm (Phoenix reclinata) — This elegant palm is recognized for its striking clumping growth habit

Palm

Senegal Date Palm

Phoenix reclinata

FullUSDA 8–8
Senita Cactus (Pachycereus schottii) — is a columnar species reaching up to 15 feet tall

Cactus

Senita Cactus

Pachycereus schottii

FullUSDA 9–10
Senita Cactus (Pachycereus schottii monstrosa) — is a strikingly sculptural succulent that brings an element of the intriguing to any arid landscape design

Cactus

Senita Cactus

Pachycereus schottii monstrosa

FullUSDA 10–10
Sensation Sky Blue Sage (Salvia Nemorosa 'Sensation Sky Blue') — This drought-tolerant plant thrives in full sun to part shade, blooming from late spring to

Perennial

Sensation Sky Blue Sage

Salvia Nemorosa 'Sensation Sky Blue'

FullUSDA 3–8
Sentinel Manzanita (Arctostaphylos X Den. 'Sentinel') — Thriving in USDA zones 8-10, it reaches 5-6 ft in height and width, requiring well-drained soils and

Shrub

Sentinel Manzanita

Arctostaphylos X Den. 'Sentinel'

FullUSDA 9–10
Setsugekka Camellia (Camellia Sasanqua 'Setsugekka') — dark green leaves provide year-round interest

Shrub

Setsugekka Camellia

Camellia Sasanqua 'Setsugekka'

FullUSDA 7–10
Shademaster Honey Locust (Gleditsia Triacanthos 'Shademaster') — ideal for bringing graceful structure and dappled shade to any landscape design

Tree

Shademaster Honey Locust

Gleditsia Triacanthos 'Shademaster'

FullUSDA 4–10
Shadscale (Atriplex Confertifolia) — with silvery-gray foliage that conserves water; scientifically designated as Atriplex confertifolia

Shrub

Shadscale

Atriplex Confertifolia

FullUSDA 8–10
Shangri-La Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo Biloba 'Shangri-La) — The Ginkgo biloba 'Shangri-La' is a compact

Tree

Shangri-La Maidenhair Tree

Ginkgo Biloba 'Shangri-La

FullUSDA 4–11
Shark Skin Agave (Agave Scabra) — The Shark Skin Agave (Agave scabra) is a striking succulent

Succulent

Shark Skin Agave

Agave Scabra

FullUSDA 8–11
Shaw's Century Plant (Agave Shawii) — Shaw's Century Plant requires sufficient space to accommodate its eventual width

Succulent

Shaw's Century Plant

Agave Shawii

FullUSDA 9–11
Sheep's Fescue (Festuca Trachyphylla 'Rana Creek') — scientifically known as Festuca trachyphylla 'Rana Creek'

Grass

Sheep's Fescue

Festuca Trachyphylla 'Rana Creek'

FullUSDA 8–9
Shingle Oak (Quercus Imbricaria) — Designers appreciate this species for its relatively fast growth and its symmetrical

Tree

Shingle Oak

Quercus Imbricaria

FullUSDA 7–9
Shining Sumac, Winged Sumac (Rhus Copallina) — Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance

Shrub

Shining Sumac, Winged Sumac

Rhus Copallina

FullUSDA 5–10
Shiny Xylosma (Xylosma Congestum) — adding to the ecological value of your garden

Shrub

Shiny Xylosma

Xylosma Congestum

FullUSDA 8–10
Shoestring Acacia (Acacia Stenophylla) — it's ideal for xeriscaping and provides light

Tree

Shoestring Acacia

Acacia Stenophylla

FullUSDA 8–11
Shore Juniper (Juniperus Conferta) — This species is drought tolerant once established and requires well-draining soil; making it an excellent choice for

Conifer

Shore Juniper

Juniperus Conferta

FullUSDA 5–9
Shore Juniper (Juniperus Conferta 'Blue Pacific') — Its dense, trailing branches feature silvery-blue needles, offering year-round visual interest

Conifer

Shore Juniper

Juniperus Conferta 'Blue Pacific'

FullUSDA 5–10
Shore Juniper (Juniperus Conferta 'All Gold') — perfect for adding year-round color

Conifer

Shore Juniper

Juniperus Conferta 'All Gold'

FullUSDA 5–10

Photographs are credited on each plant’s page.