Cultivating a garden is all about adding a little something beautiful back into the world, not just for the sake of the view in your own backyard, but also for every neighbor, nature-lover, and pollinator who encounters it. While your mind may be consumed by the color of flowers you’d like to grow, it’s also important to consider mother nature’s ever-evolving needs when planning out your landscape, including our struggling planet and the need to be judicious about water usage.

The good news? There’s a smart—and aesthetically pleasing—solution to your desire to consciously cultivate: a drought-resistant garden. Made up of plants that can handle dry conditions, these thoughtful landscapes conserve water, reduce maintenance, and enhance the beauty of your outdoor space. They’re the perfect solution in the face of water ordinances, especially hot summers, or unpredictable rainfall—and you won’t feel like you’re sacrificing beauty one bit. From choosing the best plants for your area to tips on soil prep and watering, you’ll find easy-to-follow advice below to help you create a beautiful, low-maintenance garden that can take the heat—literally.

What Is a Drought-Resistant Garden?

The concept of a drought-resistant garden goes far beyond just selecting plants that need a little bit less water than your average plants. In fact, it’s a whole ethos. “A drought resistant garden takes into consideration the seasonal precipitation and natural hydrology of a space to ensure the maximum health of the vegetation and the inhabitants of the space with minimal resources,” says Nahal Sohbati, who runs California-based company Topophyl alongside partner Eric Arneson. “While drought-tolerant gardens are especially suited for regions with limited rainfall, such as Mediterranean climates, arid deserts, and semi-arid zones, they can also be beneficial in areas that experience seasonal droughts or unpredictable water availability.”

“When discussing planting, there is a distinction between drought tolerant and drought resistant varietals,” adds Kevin Lenhart, the design director at Yardzen. “Drought tolerant refers to a plant’s ability to endure periods of drought—it may not be its happy place, but it’ll survive. On the other hand, drought resistant plants evolved to thrive in arid or low-water environments with minimal additional irrigation. They often have adaptations like deep root systems, waxy or small leaves, or water-storing capabilities to help them cope with dry conditions.”

How to Design a Drought-Resistant Garden

Prep Your Soil

Like with any type of garden, a thriving ecosystem starts with the right foundation. Before even heading to the garden center to choose your plants, put time and energy into prepping your soil for the optimum conditions. “Proper conditions for a drought-tolerant landscape will depend on where you live, but having good soil that retains moisture will help,” says Jessica Zander of You Can Do It Gardening. “Adding compost and other organic material is the most effective way to do this and mulch will help to retain moisture, as well as reducing weeds and regulating soil temperatures.”

“Mulch plays a crucial role in moisture management,” agrees Sohbati. “It reduces evaporation, suppresses weeds that compete for water and nutrients, and improves overall soil health. Organic mulch, such as bark, wood chips, or leaf litter, will gradually break down to enrich the soil while also insulating plant roots and creating a healthier growing environment.”

Select Regional Plants

If you don’t already know what USDA hardiness zone your garden falls under, now’s the time to find out. This information will become crucial as you go on the quest for drought-resistant plants that will thrive in your area. “If you’re planting drought-resistant plants in your yard, research ones that will do the best in your particular climate,” says Zander. “This can be determined either by which USDA hardiness zone you’re in or which ecoregion you’re in, which references areas that have the same climate, geology and soils, as opposed to just being about temperature. Selecting plants native to your region will give them an advantage over ones that are from other areas or even other countries.”

Be Mindful of Topography

Turns out, it’s not just the location or grow zone you should consider when planting a drought-resistant garden—it’s also the topography of your yard in general. “Rather than modifying your garden to accommodate plants that struggle in the existing conditions, the most effective approach is to select plants that are already suited to the site,” says Sohbati. “Lower areas collect more water from rainfall or irrigation, making them suitable for plants that prefer slightly more moisture. In contrast, highly drought-adapted plants that don’t tolerate excessive water should be placed on higher slopes or berms of mounded soil, where runoff is minimal and water doesn’t linger.”

Group Likeminded Plants Together

Even plants need a friendly support system every once in a while. To guarantee success in your drought-resistant garden, be mindful about teaming together varietals that have similar needs and growing conditions. “Grouping plants with similar water needs helps make irrigation more efficient and prevents over- or under-watering,” says Sohbati. “This approach, called hydrozoning, ensures drought-tolerant plants don’t receive excess moisture while allowing slightly more water-dependent plants to get what they need.”

Time Your Watering Right

Sure, your garden may be focused on conserving water, but you will still have to give your plants a sprinkle every once in a while—and timing your shower accurately is crucial to success. “Always water your garden in the early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation loss,” says Lenhart. “Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root growth, rather than frequently and shallowly.” If you’re hoping to cut your water dependency entirely, Zander suggests installing a rain barrel and relying on mother nature to provide your H2O. 

Distance Plants From Hardscaping

A picture-perfect landscape isn’t just made up of plants; it also has other forms of visual interest, like rock walls, fountains, and walkways—all commonly referred to as hardscaping. While these elements make for a beautiful addition, pros warn that they require a bit more thought as you plan out your garden. “Placing plants near hardscape features like paving or walls can significantly increase the heat load on that plant,” explains Lenhart. “If a plant does not tolerate heat well, you should separate it from features that absorb and reradiate heat.”

The Best Plants for a Drought-Resistant Garden

Below, our pros share their go-to varietals for a tough-as-nails garden that’s beautiful to boot. 

Desert Willow: “I love this plant not only for its imperviousness to drought, but for its effectiveness as a design element,” says Lenhart. “Desert Willow works beautifully as a small tree that you can use as a focal element in compact spaces. Its blooms are dramatic, and its foliage and branching structure are attractive. It’s also relatively hassle free, easy to source, and a native with a fairly broad range across the southwestern border.”

Deer Grass: “Deer Grass (Muhlenbergia rigens) is an absolute star,” says Sohbati. “It’s easy to grow, requires minimal water, and thrives in various conditions. With its deep root system, it also serves as an excellent erosion control plant. It requires little maintenance with trimming once a year. Its graceful, grassy form adds movement to the landscape, making it a standout feature in any drought-resistant garden.”

Yarrow: “Native to a wide stretch of the United States, yarrow is a great habitat plant that plugs in beautifully to many different landscape styles,” explains Lenhart. “I use it routinely to replace non-native species when delicate blooms and lacy foliage are needed. When happy, it will spread, so you can also use it as a non-walkable groundcover.”

California Buckwheat: “California buckwheat is another exceptional native plant that comes in various forms, from ground cover to shrub,” says Sohbati. “It’s highly drought-tolerant, requires minimal water, and is a keystone plant that plays a crucial role in supporting local wildlife. We especially love its seasonal interest, with soft pink and yellow flowers that transition to a rusty tan as they dry, adding beautiful, evolving colors to the garden throughout the year.”

Salvia: “There are loads of Salvia species that perform very well through drought conditions,” says Lenhart. “I tend to seek out the regional native, but have a soft spot for Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii) for its small stature, which makes it very useful in smaller yards, or even in containers.”