22 Drought-Tolerant Flowers That Thrive with Minimal Water
If you’re gardening in a hot, dry climate or just want to save on water, drought-tolerant flowers are your best friends. These hardy bloomers don’t just survive with less water—they thrive in it, bringing vibrant color and beauty to your garden without constant watering or pampering.
From to tough annuals, these 22 flowers are resilient, low-maintenance, and perfect for xeriscaping, , or anyone looking to create a more water-wise landscape. They’re also great for pollinators and ideal for modern, eco-conscious gardens.
Ready to plant a stunning, water-smart garden? Here are 22 drought-tolerant flowers that won’t let you down—even when the rain does!
1) Blanket Flower
Blanket flower is a vibrant perennial known for its daisy-like blooms in fiery shades of red, orange, and yellow. It thrives in hot, sunny conditions and poor soil—making it perfect for low-water landscapes.
This long-blooming flower is highly drought-tolerant once established, needs minimal care, and is loved by pollinators. Deadheading extends the bloom season, but it’s not required.
Great for borders, , and xeriscaping.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Gaillardia ‘Arizona Sun’ | 3–10 | Early Summer to Fall |
| Gaillardia ‘Goblin’ | 3–9 | Summer |
| Gaillardia ‘Mesa Peach’ | 5–9 | Summer to Early Fall |
2) Lavender
Lavender is a classic drought-tolerant plant with soothing fragrance and spikes that thrive in dry, sunny conditions. It loves well-drained soil and handles neglect with grace.
Its aromatic foliage is deer-resistant and its flowers are magnets for bees and butterflies. Once established, lavender requires little to no supplemental watering.
Ideal for borders, , and water-wise herb beds.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| English Lavender ‘Hidcote’ | 5–9 | Early to Midsummer |
| Lavandin ‘Grosso’ | 5–9 | Midsummer |
| French Lavender ‘Phenomenal’ | 7–10 | Spring to Fall |
3) Coneflower
Coneflower is a tough perennial that thrives in heat, drought, and poor soil. With its large, daisy-like blooms in purples, pinks, whites, and more, it brings long-lasting color with minimal effort.
It blooms from mid-summer to fall and is great for attracting pollinators and birds. Drought-tolerant and easy to grow, coneflowers are perfect for sunny, dry gardens.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’ | 3–9 | Summer to Fall |
| Coneflower ‘PowWow White’ | 3–8 | Summer |
| Coneflower ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ | 4–9 | Midsummer to Frost |
4) Russian Sage
Russian sage features tall, airy spikes of lavender-blue flowers and silvery foliage that thrives in full sun and dry soil. It’s one of the most drought-tolerant perennials you can grow.
This low-maintenance plant provides a long season of color and is resistant to deer and pests. Its aromatic foliage adds texture and movement to the garden.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Perovskia atriplicifolia | 5–9 | Midsummer to Fall |
| Russian Sage ‘Denim ’n Lace’ | 4–9 | Summer |
| Russian Sage ‘Blue Jean Baby’ | 4–9 | Summer to Fall |
5) Yarrow
Yarrow is a reliable, heat- and drought-tolerant flower with flat-topped blooms in a variety of colors. It thrives in full sun and dry soil, and it spreads gently to form colorful clumps.
It’s excellent for pollinators and deer-resistant, making it a top pick for sustainable, low-care gardens. It also works well in wildflower and prairie-style plantings.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Achillea ‘Moonshine’ | 3–9 | June to |
| Achillea ‘Paprika’ | 3–9 | Early Summer |
| Achillea ‘Strawberry Seduction’ | 4–9 | Summer |
6) Black-Eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susan is a golden-yellow wildflower with a dark central cone that blooms throughout summer with very little water. It’s heat-tolerant, deer-resistant, and extremely adaptable.
This sun-loving perennial is great for pollinators and easily naturalizes in dry, open areas. Once established, it rarely needs extra watering.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’ | 3–9 | July to September |
| Rudbeckia hirta ‘Indian Summer’ | 3–9 | Summer to Fall |
| Rudbeckia ‘Little Goldstar’ | 4–9 | Summer |
7) Salvia
Salvia is a durable, sun-loving perennial that produces spikes of purple, pink, blue, or . It’s highly drought-tolerant and thrives in hot, dry conditions with well-drained soil.
Salvia is loved by bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies and is a low-fuss performer that adds vertical color to borders and dry garden beds.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Salvia ‘May Night’ | 4–9 | Late Spring to Summer |
| Salvia ‘Caradonna’ | 4–9 | Summer |
| Salvia ‘Heatwave Blaze’ | 7–10 | Midsummer to Fall |
8) Coreopsis
Coreopsis, or tickseed, is a cheery, long-blooming perennial that thrives in dry, sunny locations. Its daisy-like blooms appear in yellow, red, pink, and bi-color varieties.
It’s perfect for mass plantings, borders, and rock gardens, and needs almost no supplemental watering once established.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Coreopsis ‘Zagreb’ | 4–9 | June to August |
| Coreopsis ‘Moonbeam’ | 4–9 | Summer to Fall |
| Coreopsis ‘Sunray’ | 4–9 | Midsummer |
9) Sedum
Sedum, or stonecrop, is a hardy succulent perennial with fleshy leaves and starry blooms. It stores water in its leaves, making it one of the most drought-resistant plants you can grow.
It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil and comes in upright and groundcover varieties. Sedum adds year-round interest and is a favorite in rock gardens and low-maintenance borders.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ | 3–9 | August to October |
| Sedum ‘Dragon’s Blood’ | 3–9 | Summer |
| Sedum ‘Matrona’ | 3–9 | Late Summer |
10) Gaura
Gaura is a graceful perennial with wand-like stems and airy white or pink flowers that flutter in the breeze. It’s incredibly drought-tolerant, thriving in heat and poor soil.
Gaura blooms nonstop from late spring to fall and adds softness and movement to dry borders and gravel gardens. It thrives on neglect and needs minimal watering once established.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Gaura ‘Whirling Butterflies’ | 5–9 | Late Spring to Fall |
| Gaura ‘Siskiyou Pink’ | 5–9 | Summer |
| Gaura ‘Sparkle White’ | 5–9 | Summer to Fall |
11) Verbena
Verbena is a low-growing, drought-tolerant bloomer that thrives in heat and poor soil. It produces clusters of brightly colored flowers all season long, with very little care.
Perfect for borders, hanging baskets, or ground cover, verbena adds a splash of color where others might fade from lack of water.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Verbena ‘Homestead Purple’ | 7–10 (Annual elsewhere) | Spring to Frost |
| Verbena rigida | 6–9 | Summer |
| Verbena ‘Lanai Twister Red’ | 9–11 | Spring to Fall |
12) California Poppy
California poppy is a vibrant, drought-tolerant annual (perennial in warm zones) with silky blooms in shades of orange, yellow, and pink. It thrives in hot, dry areas and poor soil.
These low-maintenance wildflowers are ideal for meadows, rock gardens, or roadside plantings. Once established, they require almost no water and often self-seed.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Eschscholzia californica (Common) | 6–10 | Spring to Summer |
| California Poppy ‘Thai Silk’ | 6–10 | Late Spring |
| California Poppy ‘Mission Bells’ | 6–10 | Spring to Fall |
13) Globe Thistle
Globe thistle is a bold perennial with steel-blue, globe-shaped flower heads and silvery foliage. It thrives in full sun and dry, rocky soil, and adds striking structure to dry borders.
It’s pest-resistant, drought-tolerant, and attracts pollinators. Globe thistle also makes a great cut or dried flower.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Echinops ritro | 3–8 | Mid to Late Summer |
| Globe Thistle ‘Blue Glow’ | 3–8 | Summer to Fall |
| Globe Thistle ‘Veitch’s Blue’ | 4–8 | Late Summer |
14) Red Hot Poker
Red hot poker (Kniphofia) features tall spikes of tubular flowers in fiery shades of red, orange, and yellow. It thrives in sunny, dry conditions and is very heat- and drought-tolerant.
Perfect for dramatic vertical interest, this perennial attracts hummingbirds and adds an exotic flair to dry gardens.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Kniphofia ‘Flamenco’ | 5–9 | Summer to Fall |
| Kniphofia ‘Orange Blaze’ | 5–9 | Mid to Late Summer |
| Kniphofia ‘Red Hot Popsicle’ | 6–9 | Summer |
15) Agastache
Agastache, or hummingbird mint, is a fragrant, drought-tolerant perennial with upright spikes of purple, pink, or orange flowers. It thrives in hot, sunny gardens with well-drained soil.
Its licorice-scented foliage is deer-resistant and highly attractive to hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.
Agastache is excellent for dry borders, pollinator gardens, and xeriscapes.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’ | 5–9 | Midsummer to Fall |
| Agastache ‘Tutti Frutti’ | 5–9 | Summer to Fall |
| Agastache ‘Kudos Coral’ | 5–9 | Summer |
16) Evening Primrose
Evening primrose is a low-maintenance flower with cheerful yellow blooms that open at dusk. It’s extremely drought-tolerant, thriving in sandy or gravelly soil and full sun.
It spreads easily, making it great for covering dry, open areas. Its evening bloom habit adds charm to moon gardens and pollinator beds.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Oenothera biennis (Common) | 4–9 | Summer to Early Fall |
| Evening Primrose ‘Siskiyou’ | 4–8 | Summer |
| Oenothera missouriensis | 4–9 | Late Spring to Fall |
17) Mexican Sunflower
Mexican is a heat- and drought-loving annual with bold orange or red daisy-like blooms that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. It thrives in hot, dry conditions and poor soil, needing little water once established.
Tall and fast-growing, it’s perfect for back borders or wildflower gardens. It also makes a great cut flower and is ideal for late-season color.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Tithonia rotundifolia ‘Torch’ | Annual | Summer to Frost |
| Mexican Sunflower ‘Goldfinger’ | Annual | Midsummer to Fall |
| Mexican Sunflower ‘Fiesta Del Sol’ | Annual | Summer |
18) Catmint
Catmint is a fragrant, mounding perennial with soft gray-green foliage and spires of lavender-blue flowers. It’s incredibly tough and drought-tolerant, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil.
It blooms for months with minimal care, resists deer and pests, and is loved by pollinators. Trim back after the first flush for a tidy second bloom.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ | 3–9 | May to September |
| Nepeta ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ | 3–8 | Late Spring to Fall |
| Nepeta ‘Junior Walker’ | 5–9 | Summer |
19) Lantana
Lantana is a sun-loving annual or tender perennial with vibrant flower clusters in red, orange, yellow, pink, and purple. It thrives in heat, humidity, and dry conditions, making it a top pick for low-water gardens.
It’s also salt-tolerant and ideal for coastal areas. Lantana blooms nonstop until frost and attracts butterflies like a magnet.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Lantana camara ‘New Gold’ | 9–11 (Annual elsewhere) | Summer to Frost |
| Lantana ‘Bandana Red’ | 9–11 | Summer |
| Lantana ‘Miss Huff’ | 7–11 | Late Spring to Fall |
20) Penstemon
Penstemon, or beardtongue, is a tough, upright perennial with tubular flowers that bloom in shades of red, pink, purple, and blue. It thrives in dry, sunny gardens and poor soil.
Highly attractive to hummingbirds, penstemon is ideal for native plantings, xeriscapes, and pollinator gardens.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Penstemon ‘Red Rocks’ | 4–8 | Late Spring to Summer |
| Penstemon ‘Husker Red’ | 3–8 | Early to Mid Summer |
| Penstemon ‘Electric Blue’ | 4–9 | Summer |
21) Rock Rose
Rock rose is a low-growing shrub or groundcover with papery, crinkled flowers in shades of pink, red, or white. It thrives in full sun and extremely dry conditions, making it excellent for drought-prone areas.
This native blooms in waves throughout the summer and is deer- and heat-resistant.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Cistus ‘Brilliancy’ | 8–10 | Late Spring to Summer |
| Cistus ‘Sunset’ | 8–10 | Summer |
| Rock Rose ‘Snow White’ | 8–10 | Midsummer |
22) Sea Holly
Sea holly is a drought-tolerant perennial with bold, spiky blue or silver flower heads and striking foliage. It thrives in sandy, dry, well-drained soil and full sun—perfect for coastal or gravel gardens.
The sculptural blooms are long-lasting and excellent for cut and dried arrangements. It’s also deer-resistant and great for adding structure to dry borders.
| Plant Varieties | Growing Zone | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Eryngium planum ‘Blue Glitter’ | 4–9 | Midsummer to Fall |
| Eryngium ‘Sapphire Blue’ | 4–8 | Summer |
| Sea Holly ‘Big Blue’ | 5–9 | Mid to Late Summer |