Want a lush, thriving garden without endless watering and care? These lesser-known plants are the secret weapons of smart gardeners. They’re beautiful, resilient, and incredibly low-maintenance—perfect for water-wise landscapes. Whether you’re in a dry climate or just want to cut back on watering, these plants will do the trick with minimal fuss.
1. Blue Grama Grass
Blue Grama is a clump-forming ornamental grass that thrives in dry, sunny conditions. Its unique eyelash-shaped seed heads add texture to any garden. Once established, this grass needs very little water and is perfect for erosion control. It grows well in poor soil and requires minimal fertilization. Blue Grama also attracts pollinators and provides a habitat for small wildlife. Its soft movement in the wind brings a serene vibe to your space.
2. . Creeping Thyme
Creeping Thyme is a hardy, aromatic ground cover that forms a dense, mat-like carpet. It thrives in dry, well-drained soils and full sun, making it perfect for water-saving landscapes. This plant spreads easily between stepping stones and along borders without being invasive. It blooms in summer with tiny purple flowers attracting bees and butterflies. It requires little to no mowing and handles light foot traffic well. Its fragrance adds an extra sensory treat to the garden.
3. California Fuchsia
This drought-tolerant perennial shows off bright red-orange blooms that hummingbirds love. California Fuchsia thrives in poor, dry soils and can handle hot sun. It blooms late in the season, adding color when other plants fade. It needs minimal water and no fertilizing once established. Its spreading habit makes it a great ground cover. It’s a strong pick for low-water pollinator gardens.
4. Rock Purslane
With vibrant magenta flowers and fleshy gray-green leaves, Rock Purslane brings desert flair to gardens. It blooms almost nonstop with little water and no fuss. It thrives in full sun and sandy soil and is great for borders and containers. Its drought resistance makes it perfect for hot, dry areas. It even self-seeds in ideal conditions. The blooms open in the morning and close by afternoon, giving it a fun rhythm.
5. Parry’s Agave
Parry’s Agave is a sculptural succulent with thick, blue-gray leaves. It’s incredibly drought-resistant and thrives on neglect. This slow-growing plant needs well-draining soil and lots of sunlight. It produces tall flower spikes, sometimes after decades. Deer and rabbits tend to avoid it, making it a smart choice in wildlife-heavy areas. Its bold form adds drama to dry landscapes.
6. Fernbush
Fernbush looks like a fern but thrives in dry, sunny spots. This shrub produces fragrant white blooms in summer and grows with minimal water. Its fine-textured foliage adds softness and contrast. Native to the western U.S., it’s tough and adaptable. Bees and butterflies flock to its flowers. Prune lightly to shape or leave it wild and natural.
7. Bush Morning Glory
Bush Morning Glory is a hardy shrub with silvery leaves and trumpet-shaped lavender flowers. It loves full sun and doesn’t mind heat or drought. It stays compact, making it perfect for borders and slopes. The blooms attract pollinators and open in the morning. This plant holds its shape without much pruning. Its soft color palette blends well with other xeriscape favorites.
8. Licorice Plant
Licorice Plant is a trailing perennial with soft, silvery foliage that thrives in hot, dry conditions. It’s ideal for containers, borders, or spilling over walls. The plant is valued more for its texture and color than flowers, offering a velvety contrast to green-leaved neighbors. It tolerates drought and poor soil and resists deer and pests. While not a true licorice source, its leaves carry a faintly sweet scent. This plant adds a touch of elegance with barely any upkeep.
9. Blackfoot Daisy
Blackfoot Daisy has small white daisy-like flowers with yellow centers that bloom for months. It thrives in full sun and dry soil and needs very little care. This compact plant is perfect for borders, rock gardens, or containers. The flowers attract bees and butterflies while resisting deer. It tolerates heat and drought with ease. It’s a cheerful, low-maintenance bloomer.
10. Sand Penstemon
Sand Penstemon is a hardy native perennial with tubular purple flowers. It blooms in spring and summer, drawing in hummingbirds and bees. This plant grows in sandy, well-drained soils and is very drought-tolerant. Its vertical blooms add height and texture. Once established, it requires almost no care. It’s a great choice for dry meadows or native plant gardens.
11. Corn Marigold
Corn Marigold, also known as Corn Daisy, is a bright, cheerful annual with golden yellow blooms. It thrives in sunny locations and poor, well-drained soils, but benefits from occasional watering in prolonged dry spells. While not suited for extreme drought, it’s still a hardy option for lower-water gardens. Ideal for wildflower meadows and borders, its daisy-like flowers attract pollinators and add rustic charm. Corn Marigold self-seeds easily, offering a low-maintenance splash of color that pairs well with other water-wise favorites.
12. Silver Germander
Silver Germander, or shrubby Germander, is a woody shrubby plant with tiny purple flowers and silver foliage. It’s great for edging and thrives in sunny, dry spots. In early summer, the flowers attract bees and butterflies. Its tidy habit makes it a favorite for low hedges. Once established, it’s drought tolerant and resists pests. It’s easy to prune and shape, adding structure to your garden.
13. Pink Muhly Grass
Pink Muhly Grass dazzles with clouds of airy pink blooms in late summer. It’s a heat-loving ornamental grass that thrives in dry, sunny spots. Once established, it requires very little water and care. Its bold color and texture make it a stunning focal point. Pink Muhly also tolerates poor soil and urban pollution. Birds love its seeds, adding wildlife appeal.
14. Trailing Lantana
Trailing Lantana forms a low, cascading mat of green dotted with clusters of purple or pink flowers. It’s drought-tolerant, heat-loving, and great for slopes or containers. The plant blooms from spring through fall with minimal water. It attracts butterflies and tolerates light foot traffic. It spreads nicely without becoming invasive. A sunny, dry spot is all it needs to thrive.
15. Apache Plume
Apache Plume is a shrub with white flowers that turn into feathery pink seed heads. It’s native to the Southwest and thrives in dry, rocky soil. This plant needs little water and blooms from spring into fall. The plume-like seed heads provide great visual interest. It works well in naturalistic or desert gardens. Apache Plume is both ornamental and tough.
16. Autumn Sage
Autumn Sage is a compact, woody perennial with small, vibrant red, pink, or purple flowers. It blooms from spring into fall and is beloved by hummingbirds. It thrives in full sun and dry soil with little maintenance. Prune lightly to encourage new growth and shape. Autumn Sage is ideal for borders or wildlife-friendly gardens. It handles heat and drought like a pro.
17. Gopher Plant
The gopher plant, also called Euphorbia rigida, has blue-green foliage and bright yellow flowers. It’s extremely drought-tolerant and resistant to pests and critters. The bold, spiky form adds a modern touch to landscapes. It thrives in full sun and gravelly soil. Be cautious of its milky sap, which can irritate skin. It’s striking and very low-effort.
18. Desert Marigold
Desert Marigold produces golden-yellow flowers that float above silvery foliage. It’s native to arid regions and performs well with little water. The plant reseeds easily and blooms much of the year. It looks great in rock gardens and natural landscapes. Butterflies love it, and deer tend to leave it alone. It’s both tough and cheerful.
19. Texas Sotol
Texas Sotol is a bold architectural plant with long, spiny leaves and tall flower spikes. It thrives in dry, rocky soil and full sun. This plant adds dramatic height and structure to water-wise gardens. Once established, it needs very little water. It’s also deer-resistant and long-lived. Perfect for adding desert drama with no extra effort.
20. Globe Mallow
Globe Mallow features clusters of cup-shaped orange or pink blooms. It handles heat, drought, and poor soil with ease. The soft, fuzzy leaves give it a unique look. It blooms for months, drawing bees and butterflies. Globe Mallow spreads readily, so give it space. It’s tough, colorful, and thrives on neglect.
21. Chocolate Flower
Chocolate Flower gets its name from its cocoa-scented blooms that open in the morning. It thrives in sunny, dry spots and poor soil. The yellow daisy-like flowers bloom all summer long. The plant attracts pollinators and adds fragrance to your garden. It is hardy and requires almost no care. It is a fun, fragrant option for arid spaces.
22. Santa Barbara Daisy
Santa Barbara Daisy is a charming ground cover with tiny pink-white flowers. It spreads nicely without being aggressive and tolerates heat and drought. This plant blooms for most of the year and works well in pots or along paths. It’s loved by pollinators and needs little trimming. The soft, airy look adds whimsy. It’s tough but looks delicate.
23. Yellow Horned Poppy
Yellow Horned Poppy is a striking coastal plant known for its vibrant yellow blooms and long, curved seed pods. It thrives in dry, sandy, or gravelly soil and needs very little water once established. Its silver-green leaves provide a beautiful contrast to the bold flowers. This plant naturally fits rock gardens, borders, or seaside-style landscapes. It handles heat and wind well and brings a splash of color to tough conditions.
24. Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’
Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ is a succulent perennial with fleshy leaves and big pink flower clusters. It thrives in dry soil and full sun. The flowers attract butterflies and age to a rusty red, adding seasonal interest. It needs little watering and no fuss. It also holds up well through fall. Great in borders or containers.
25. Banana Yucca
Banana Yucca is a hardy, drought-tolerant plant with thick, sword-like leaves and creamy white flower spikes. Native to the southwestern U.S., it thrives in dry, rocky soils and full sun. The plant produces banana-shaped fruit that’s edible when cooked. Its bold form adds structure and visual interest to xeriscapes. Banana Yucca requires minimal water and maintenance once established. It’s ideal for desert gardens and pairs well with rocks and gravel.
26. Littleleaf Lead Tree
Littleleaf Lead Tree is a fast-growing, drought-tolerant tree with feathery leaves and yellow puffball flowers. It provides filtered shade and thrives in poor soil. The tree is great for wildlife and can be pruned into a shrub or left tall. It grows quickly with minimal water. Its airy canopy creates a gentle, dappled light effect.
27. Caryopteris
Caryopteris, or Bluebeard, is a compact shrub with powder-blue flowers and fragrant leaves. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Blooming in late summer, it attracts butterflies and bees. It’s low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established. The soft blue flowers add cool tones to warm gardens. Great for borders or pollinator beds.
28. Desert Willow
Desert Willow is a small tree with trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of pink and lavender. It thrives in heat and needs very little water. The blooms attract hummingbirds and bees throughout summer. It has a graceful, airy appearance and is a focal point. It tolerates poor soil and occasional pruning. Beautiful, tough, and water-wise.
Water-Saving Garden Wonders
These 28 lesser-known and low-maintenance plants prove you don’t need to sacrifice beauty for easy care. Perfect for dry climates or busy gardeners, they thrive with little water and attention. Use them to create a vibrant, eco-friendly space full of life. Mix textures, colors, and bloom times for year-round interest. Plus, you’ll attract pollinators and cut down on yard work. It’s a smart, sustainable way to garden.