Drought-tolerant plants, once established, can survive for short periods with low water levels. Drought-resistant plants refers to plants that can survive for long periods with no water at all, such as cacti.
Drought-tolerant plants often have special adaptations to help them survive with low water levels. Examples include fleshy leaves to store water, a tap root going deep into the soil to reach the water table and silver leaves to reflect light and protect from dehydration.
Do You Need to Water Drought-Tolerant Plants?
Yes, sometimes. All plants we recommend have a degree of drought-tolerance, but only once they are established. The larger the plant at the time of planting, the longer it will take to establish. For example, trees may need to be watered for 2 to 3 years before they become established. On the other hand, perennials should be fine after they are watered for their first summer.
During long periods of drought, plants may go into survival mode. They won’t look as good, may drop leaves and stop flowering. Once the drought has passed, they often return to vigour in late summer. If you want your plants to continue to look good during periods of drought, you’ll need to continue watering them.
How Do You Water Drought-Tolerant Plants?
The best time to water drought-tolerant plants is in the morning, deeply once to twice a week rather than a little everyday. Avoid watering during the heat of the day, as it prevents the water from being able to move around the soil without evaporating.
Mulching the soil surrounding your plants in the spring can make a huge difference to retaining moisture during droughts.
When Should You Plant Drought-Tolerant Plants?
We recommend planting drought-tolerant plants between March and May, as the soil is warming up in spring. If planted in autumn, these plants may rot in the wet winter weather without having the chance to develop roots properly.
Drought-Tolerant Trees
- Acacia dealbata
- Cercis siliquastrum
- Chamaecyparis lawsoniana
- Euonymus europaeus
- Juniperus
- Koelreuteria paniculata
- Olea
- Pinus
- Trachycarpus
Drought-Tolerant Shrubs
- Abelia
- Arbutus
- Berberis
- Buddleja
- Buxus
- Callistemon
- Caryopteris × clandonensis
- Ceanothus
- Ceratostigma plumbaginoides
- Cistus
- Convolvulus cneorum
- Cordyline
- Cytisus
- Euonymus fortunei
- Genista
- Hebe (small leaved)
- Lavandula
- Lavatera
- Lithodora
- Nandina
- Phormium
- Pittosporum
- Potentilla
- Rosmarinus
- Santolina
- Tamarix
- Thymus
- Yucca
Drought-Tolerant Climbers
- Campsis
- Clematis viticella
- Fallopia baldschuanicum
- Fremontodendron
- Jasminum officinale
- Parthenocissus
- Passiflora caerulea
- Solanum crispum
- Trachelospermum
Drought-Tolerant Perennials
- Acanthus
- Achillea
- Agapanthus
- Alchemilla
- Aquilegia
- Artemisia
- Bergenia
- Centaurea
- Cynara
- Echinacea
- Echinops
- Erigeron
- Eryngium
- Erysimum
- Euphorbia
- Foeniculum
- Gaillardia
- Gaura
- Geranium
- Heuchera
- Hylotelephium
- Iris (bearded)
- Knautia
- Kniphofia
- Nepeta
- Origanum
- Perovskia
- Phlomis
- Salvia
- Sedum
- Stachys
- Verbascum
- Verbena
Drought-Tolerant Alpines
- Androsace
- Anthemis
- Argyranthemum
- Armeria
- Aubrieta
- Aurinia saxatilis
- Campanula poscharskyana
- Cerastium
- Delosperma
- Dianthus alpinus
- Helianthemum
- Leontopodium
- Lewisia
- Phlox subulata
- Sempervivum
- Scabious
- Veronica prostrata
Drought-Tolerant Bedding and Annuals
- Bidens
- Brachyscome
- Calendula
- Cerinthe
- Cosmos bipinnatus
- Diascia
- Eschscholzia californica
- Felicia
- Gazania
- Helianthus (sunflower)
- Ipomoea purpurea
- Lantana camara
- Nemesia
- Nicotiana
- Nigella
- Papaver somniferum
- Osteospermum
- Pelargonium (bedding geraniums)
- Tropaeolum majus (nasturtium)
- Verbena
- Zaluzianskya ovata
Drought-Tolerant Grasses
- Briza media
- Cortaderia selloana
- Festuca
- Koeleria glauca
- Miscanthus
- Panicum virgatum
- Pennisetum
- Stipa
Continue your Gardening Journey
Need a little extra advice? Visit your local Tates of Sussex Garden Centre today, where our friendly knowledgeable, team will be happy to help you choose the right plants and offer expert guidance.
