Whether you live in a hotter climate or just want landscaping that doesn't require constant upkeep, low-water flowers may appeal to you. These flowers come in all manner of color and can thrive year-round, depending on the temperature and care they receive. But finding the right flowers for your landscaping is always a challenge. That's why we've gone ahead and done some of the work for you. Here, you'll find 31 different flowers that can add a unique pop to your landscaping without requiring intense, daily care.
31 Flowers That Need Little Water
Whether you're looking for a particular color, size, or soil preference, take a gander through our list of some of the best flowers to grow in a low-precipitation climate.
1. Coneflower (Echinacea)
Ideal for growing in zones five through nine, coneflowers are among the most common perennials to see in low-moisture areas. These pollinators come in shades ranging from pink to orange, with their bloom shapes varying based on the nursery you frequent.
2. Gazania (Gazania rigens)
Known as the treasure flower, these bright additions to your landscaping will stand out in rock gardens and traditional beds alike. Not only do these flowers stand up well to drought, but they can hold up after the first and second frosts of the year, as well. In zones nine and ten, they serve well as perennials, though they can thrive as annuals when planted in other regions.
3. Portulaca (Portulaca oleracea)
Portulaca flowers love nothing more than sandy soil to establish their roots. Ideal for homes in high heat climates, you don't have to worry about a portulaca cluster faltering when the weather turns dry. Do note, though, that portulaca likes to spread. If you don't make a point of clipping them back year to year, you may rapidly find yourself contending with a yard that is nothing but these pink, yellow, red, and orange blooms.
4. Blue Spire (Perovskia)
Blue spire flowers are classified as sub-shrubs, as they bunch together with a significant amount of greenery, even as they don't take up much space in your yard. Topping out at four feet tall, these flowers thrive in zones five through nine and will flower in any type of soil.
5. Hypericum (Hypericum perforatum)
Coming in at a foot and a half in height when full grown, a hypericum flower grows best in zones five through nine. Like the rest of the plants on this list, hypericums don't need much water to thrive. They serve best as a groundcover, producing small yellow blooms that can dapple your yard or landscaped beds.
6. Bloody Geranium (Geranium sanguineum)
Also referred to as the Bloody Cranesbill flower, bloody geraniums clump together to add pops of color to your lawn. These flowers prefer well-draining soil, be it clay or sand, and grow most effectively in temperature environments.
7. Pentas (Pentas lanceolata)
Pentas flowers are also known as Egyptian stars. These flowers grow in concentrated bunches as part of a larger shrub. You'll want to leave plenty of room for these shrubs to grow, as they can reach six feet in height. However, after you've planted them, you'll be able to enjoy pink, purple, white, and red blooms during the warmest months of the year.
8. Salvia (Salvia officinalis)
Salvia is a type of mint that can make itself at home in sandy and clay soils throughout zones five to nine. Most often found in southern Mexico, you can readily transplant salvia flowers into any suitably hot and dry environment if you want to see them thrive.
9. Vinca (Vinca minor)
For a butterfly-friendly flower to add to your landscaping, consider the vinca. Available in pinks, purples, reds, and whites, you can arrange several of these bunched-up flowers to help your landscaping designs survive even the driest of summers.
10. Begonia (Begoniaceae)
You'll want to be careful when shopping for begonias. While all varieties are heat and drought-resistant, some top out at six inches in height, whereas others can grow to be more than five feet tall. No matter what type of begonia flower you bring home, though, you'll be able to enjoy perennial color in your lawn, with the blooms' shades varying from pink to orange to white.
11. Lavender (Lavandula)
Whether you want lavender for its aesthetic appeal or its practical uses, this groundcover flower makes an excellent addition to your front lawn. Ideal for growing in zones five to nine, lavender will help protect your land against the worst effects of drought while filling the air around your home with its trademark pleasant scent.
12. Rudbeckia (Rudbeckia hirta)
More commonly known as the black-eyed Susan, these flowers can grow in all manner of soils, from dryer earth to thick clay. Brown-eyed Susans are perennials, meaning that you can anticipate seeing them over the course of several years, even after their initial planting. They remain relatively well-contained if manicured appropriately. Most importantly, the small hairs along their stem and blowers help them retain water, even when the rain in your area starts to dry up.
13. Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea glabra)
Looking for a variety of colors to add to your front walk? Bougainvillea holds up beautifully under drought conditions, producing blossoms in shades of pink, purple, red, white, and gold. The hotter the weather and dryer the soil, the more likely this shrub is to thrive.
14. Anigozanthus (Anigozanthos flavidus)
These cactus-like flowers can grow up to three feet tall, with the flowers themselves extended another two feet. Not only are these flowers drought resistant, but they are fire-resistant, as well. Anigozanthus flowers work best in light, sandy soil, but so long as your soil is well-draining, you should be able to foster their successful growth.
15. Lithops (Lithops marmorata)
Want to get weird with your landscaping? Lithops are also known as living stone plants. As their name suggests, these plants look like little rocks, and they require little care to thrive around your home. These plants do best with four to five hours of direct sunlight per day, and they can store water in their leaves for months on end. If you're a chronic plant killer, then these are the plants you'll want to invest in.
16. Verbena (Verbena officinalis)
Ground cover plants help you fill out a waning lawn while also adding a pop of color to your yard. If you're looking for something less invasive than mint but still aesthetically-pleasing, then verbena is the foliage for you. Available in pinks, whites, and purples, verbena will hold up through even the driest of summers. You can even coax it up onto hanging baskets if you want to take the time to train it.
17. Rock Soapwort (Saponaria ocymoides)
Another groundcover plant, rock soapwort, is an excellent addition to hilly landscaping or any walls you might want to add greenery. This plant grows quickly, so while you may not need to water it as frequently as your other plants, do be prepared to trim it back at least once a year. You'll also want to make a point of planting it some distance away from your other flowers, as rock soapwort can smother other plants before they have a chance to bloom.
18. Oleander (Nerium oleander)
Most commonly found in tropical regions of the world, oleander thrives when it has ready access to full sun and high heat. However, the plant's tropical origins do not mean that it requires a significant amount of water to fit your lawn with color. Instead, you can enjoy the bright pinks and sweet scents of oleander flowers until the weather gets too cold for the plants to thrive.
Do note, though, that this is not a plant you should keep in your home or on properties where dogs and cats can run amok. Oleander flowers are toxic not only to common household pets but to humans, as well. As such, they make perfect garden guards so long as you don't have any pets to worry over.
19. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
Another clustering flower, the valerian flower, grows up to three feet tall and thrives in temperate environments. Native to Europe and Western Asia, the leaves of the valerian flower are said to steep into a tea meant to help with insomnia. When it comes to your landscaping, though, you can count on this flower to remain easy to care for every year it grows.
20. Lantana (Lantana camara)
Most frequently found in Australia as well as Indian, lantana loves to bloom in the sunniest spots in your yard. You'll most often find lantana in yellows, reds, purples, whites, and oranges. So long as the weather's warm, lantanas will not wilt away in the winter. Instead, you'll be able to enjoy their soft petals all year round.
Do note, though, that lantanas prefer sandy soil over clay. So long as your soil drains effectively, though, these hardy flowers should bring all manner of wildlife into your yard.
21. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Most frequently seen in patches, yarrow thrives in full sunlight and dry heat. Another perennial, you can rely on yarrow to spatter your yard with patches of white and orange into the fall.
Yarrow is, in fact, almost the ideal flower type for homeowners who'd rather not pay their yards too much mind. This flower does not wither, be it faced with a lack of rain or inappropriate soil. Instead, yarrow is a persistent flower, making itself known in your yard until the weather grows too cold for it to retain its color.
22. Milfoil (Myriophyllum)
This patchwork plant grows best in zones five to nine and grows in clusters, lending its lace-like beauty to your front walk.
23. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
The silver-purple coloring of the Russian sage makes this flower a statement piece in any landscaping array. Plant it in zones five to nine and well-draining soil for the best growth.
24. Plubago (Plumbago auriculata)
Another low-growing shrub, plumbago, spreads its purple, white, and blue flowers all across its allotted plots. The flowers will remain through the better part of spring, summer, and fall, though you can count on them to return year after year.
25. Meadow Sage (Salvia pratensis)
These fragrant spears distinguish meadow sage from many of the other low-moisture plants on this list. Plant meadow sage if you want to perfume your lawn with a bright scent and gorgeous purple shoots. While the plant grows best in zones five to nine, it can thrive anywhere so long as the weather is dry.
26. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
Creeping thyme works well as both groundcover and a natural response to any invasive plants in your area. This smothering crawler will spread quickly if not regularly trimmed, and it doesn't take much water to make itself known in your front yard.
27. Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Also known as milkweed, butterfly weed will attract all manner of beautiful butterflies to your yard. The clustered flowers grow best in well-draining soil and when exposed to at least four hours of sunlight a day.
28. Catmint (Nepeta)
Though their names are similar, catmint and catnip are not the same plants. Catmint produces blue flowers and grows best when exposed to partial sunlight and dry weather.
29. Poppy Mallow (Callirhoe)
Also known as the winecup flower, poppy mallow plants come in vibrant purples and magentas. These flowers are ideal for rockier environments and have been known to thrive in low-moisture, rock-based gardens. Small in stature, you can rely on the poppy mallow to bloom well into the cooler days of fall.
30. Beardtongue (Penstemon)
Most beardtongue flowers look like bells gathered together on a single stem. These flowers thrive in foothill regions, becoming most vibrant when exposed to temperature climates. That said, you can just as readily make a home for them in high-temperature climates, where they'll draw birds, bees, and butterflies to your front walk.
31. Orange Sneezeweed (Hymenoxys hoopesii)
Orange sneezeweed is best recognized by its bright coloration and its clusters of flowers. It will grow best in well-draining soil, even as it thrives in direct sunlight and low-moisture areas. However, do note that this is not a plant you want to keep if you have livestock or pets around your home. Orange sneezeweed is dangerous for sheep, cattle, and horses to consume, as creatures that consume it can end up projectile vomiting.
Conclusion
Not interested in intricate landscaping maintenance? Live in a city that doesn't see much rain? Either way, low-water flowers can light up your front walk, window boxes, and more!