15 drought-resistant plants

Article for :All parent plants

We're certainly not in Mad Max yet, but water has become an increasingly precious resource. If you want to save it or tend to forget to water, even when you get reminders from the Monstera app, check out our selection of drought-resistant indoor and outdoor plants.

#1 Bignone (Campsis radicans)

Some find that bignone flowers exude a chocolate scent. Photo by Jacilluch / Wikipedia

Flowering plants can withstand drought. The bignone is a perfect example. Its red, yellow or orange trumpet-shaped flowers bloom in midsummer, when the sun shines and rain is scarce.

The bignone needs regular watering in spring and summer for the first year only. Once well established, it takes care of itself. It does, however, appreciate being wet in the evening during heatwaves.

#2 Virginia Sumac (Rhus typhina)

In Switzerland, the Virginia Sumac is classified as a prohibited invasive species. Photo by Katya / Wikipedia

The Virginia Sumac changes its appearance with the seasons. In winter, this shrub loses its leaves. But in autumn, the foliage turns red and orange. Bright green the rest of the year, the limbs are enhanced by purple or burgundy flowers in summer.

Virginia Sumac thrives everywhere, including dry, poor soils and constantly wet soils where nothing else will grow. Even in these conditions, the plant multiplies and produces suckers. Remember to prune them every year to avoid overgrowth!

#3 Gaura

Gaura will give your garden a country look. Photo by Mike Finn / Flickr

From May to the first frosts, the Gaura is adorned with white, pink or two-tone flowers. The flowers are regularly renewed to brighten up the garden and attract foraging insects for several months.

Gaura is a hardy perennial. It can withstand temperatures down to -15°C. If the leaves fall off in winter, it doesn't mean the plant is dead. The foliage revives in spring.

#4 Rabbit's ear cactus (Opuntia microdasys)

The fruits of Opuntia microdasys are edible. Photo by Sergio Niebla / Flickr

Opuntia microdasys looks like a kawaii stuffed animal with its round shape and fluffy appearance. But don't try to stroke it! Its surface is covered with spines and prickles. These enable the Rabbit ear cactus to capture ambient humidity and resist heat.

Cacti are among the most drought-resistant of all species. Whether in pots or in the ground, wait until the substrate is completely dry before watering generously. Most cacti tolerate mains water. But they grow better if you give them rainwater.

#5 Corsican Euphorbia (Euphorbia myrsinites)

With or without flowers, Corsican Euphorbia adds a touch of color. Photo by Peganum / Flickr

Small in size (no more than 20 centimetres high), the Corsican Euphorbia doesn't go unnoticed. Its blue-grey leaves and yellow inflorescences stand out in any rock garden.

Corsican spurge is a succulent plant. You won't need to water it if you grow it in the ground, even during dry spells. In pots, however, water every two weeks in summer and once a month in winter.

#6 Garden thorn (Sedum spectabile)

Garden thorn blooms in late summer. Photo by Jerzy Opiola / Wikipedia

Very popular in China, where it originated, the garden orbit (Sedum spectabile) has also become a must-have here. You've probably already come across its tufts of bright green leaves and corymbs of pink flowers in a bed in the park or in your grandmother's flowerbeds.

When planted in dry, well-drained soil, sedum thrives maintenance-free. However, it has a harder time thriving when the soil remains damp, especially in winter. In this case, it's best to place your plant in a pot or in a location that doesn't retain water, such as at the top of an embankment.

#7 Bear's ear (Stachys byzantina)

Even the inflorescence of Stachys byzantina looks sweet! Photo by Jean-Pol Grandmont / Wikipedia

Its thick, fluffy, silver-gray leaves earn Stachys byzantina the nickname bear's ear, lamb's ear or rabbit's ear. In summer, they are crowned by a spike of pink or purple flowers.

The less you take care of your bear ears, the better they'll do. Plant them in your garden in spring and let nature take its course. No need to fertilize or water.

#8Santoliniacypress (Santolina chamaecyparissus)

In yellow and green, Santolina chamaecyparissus doesn't mind the heat. Photo by Brewbooks / Flickr

Santoline petit cyprès smells of Corsican hikes and picnics in the garrigue. These yellow pom-pom flowers evoke summer, vacations and carefree fun.

If you'd like to add a touch of color to your garden, wait until after the frosts to plant Santolina chamæcyparis,a perennial that can withstand drought and sub-zero temperatures down to -10°C.

#9 Haworthia fasciata

Like many succulents, Haworthia fasciata turns red in the sun. Photo by Maja Dumat / Flickr

With its rosette of slender leaves, haworthiopsis fasciata could pass for an aloe. But this succulent plant from South Africa requires much less water. Indoors and in pots, it only needs watering every three weeks.

Haworthia fasciata hates humidity. Be sure to remove any stagnant water from the dish or pot after watering. It can rot the roots by capillary action.

#10 Agave (Agavea)

An agave with bewitching leaves. Photo by Stephen Boisvert / Flickr

Only the agave's rosette of leaves breaks the monotony of the Mexican or Texan desert landscape. After a few kilometers, if you're lucky, you'll come across a flowering specimen. Make the most of it: the plant only flowers after 10 or 20 years and then dies.

There are hundreds of species in the agave genus, all equally water-efficient. Choose according to your needs! Agavea americana can be grown outdoors around the Mediterranean, or in pots and indoors elsewhere. Do you live north of the Loire? Opt for mountain agave (Agavea montana): it can withstand cold temperatures down to -20°C. Finally, if you want to make your own Tequila, turn to blue agave, the only variety authorized to make the precious beverage.

#11 Cistus (Cistus)

Cistus is said to be the first to grow back after a fire. Photo by Nano Sanchez / Wikipedia

Cistus flowers in early spring. White, pink, yellow, red or purple... Its large, crumpled flowers display almost every shade of the rainbow.

Cistus doesn't fear much, not even drought or fire. But this plant fears the cold and excess water. If you live outside the orange zone, cover it with a winter veil and mulch its base. And if you've planted your shrub in a pot, water it only when the substrate is completely dry.

#12 Lavender (Lavandula)

Tired of purple? Choose a bluish lavender! Photo by Martin Hendrikx / Flickr

Lavender is a little effort for a lot of effect. All it needs is a little water in summer, if the soil is totally dry. In return, this perennial will provide you with grey-green evergreen foliage all year round, and fragrant pink, violet or white flowers in summer.

This sub-shrub needs to be fed in order to flower. Fertilize potted plants in spring and summer and repot from time to time.

#13 Tree aeonium (Aeonium arboreum)

Red, green or black aeoniums are available. Photo by Dornenwolf/ Flickr

Aeonium arboreum has an unstoppable technique for withstanding heat and drought: it closes up its rosette of leaves. But when the weather is less harsh, the plant reveals green, purple or black spatulate blades.

Aeonium arboreum is not hardy. It will survive a frost episode only if its roots remain dry. Grow it in pots so you can bring it into your living room or conservatory over winter. You'll need to water it once the potting soil has dried thoroughly.

#14 The sea urchin cactus (Echinopsis oxygona)

After a few years, the urchin cactus produces shoots. Photo by Alan Levine / Wikipedia

The urchin cactus (Echinopsis oxygona) owes its nickname not to its numerous spines, but to its roundness. This ball can reach 30 centimetres in diameter when fully grown.

The sea urchin cactus requires watering only during the growth phase when outdoors. Indoors, water all year round once the potting soil has completely dried out.

#15 Elephant's foot (Beaucarnea recurvata)

Beaucarnea recurvata is very slow-growing. You won't need to repot it often. Photo by Maja Dumat/ Flickr

The swollen trunk of the noline Beaucarnea recurvata) enables it to store water. This means the plant doesn't need to be watered often, even in periods of drought. Watering every month or three weeks (even in the middle of a heatwave) is enough.

Beaucarnea recurvata can withstand temperatures as low as -5°C if the soil remains dry. But we advise you not to take any chances. Grow your elephant foot indoors in pots. If you take it outside in summer, put it under cover as soon as night-time temperatures drop.

By Servane Nemetz
on 18-07-2024 at 12h38