Drought-tolerant landscaping, such as ornamental grasses, xeriscaping, succulents, and drip irrigation, can help you create a space that looks good and suits your local climate.
According to the EPA, lawn irrigation accounts for nearly one-third of all residential water use, and up to 9 billion gallons daily in the U.S. On average, you can save 30% to 80% of your outdoor water use by switching to drought-tolerant landscaping.
This is because drought-tolerant plants require less water, while xeriscaping reduces the need for water-hungry lawn areas. If you need to water areas of your landscape, consider drip irrigation. It delivers targeted amounts of water directly to the roots of your plants.
1. Xeriscaping
Xeriscaping is about planning your yard in a smarter way. It groups plants with similar water needs, cuts down on water-hungry lawn areas, and uses efficient watering methods like drip irrigation, soaker hoses, and watering early in the morning, so you use less water overall. It creates a more resilient, low-maintenance, healthy yard.
Once it’s established, a xeriscaped yard can cut your outdoor water use by 30-50% or more, says John Murgel, horticulture expert with the Colorado State University Extension.
The key to xeriscaping’s drought tolerance is choosing native and drought-resistant plants that naturally survive dry conditions. You improve soil with mulch and organic matter to hold moisture longer, and design your landscape to work with natural water flow and sun patterns. This approach means your garden thrives during droughts without constant watering or expensive maintenance.
Read related:
- Benefits of Xeriscaping
- How Much Does Xeriscaping Cost in 2025?
- 17 Best Xeriscaping Plants for Your Landscape
2. Succulent gardens
Succulents hold water in their leaves, stems, and roots, so they’re perfect for dry climates. Simply plant them in a rock garden, along a gravel path, or in a container, and water them as soon as the soil feels dry to the touch. This can mean every 10 days during warm months and every 4 to 5 weeks during colder months.
Common succulents include: agave, aloe, crassula, echeveria, elephant’s food, kalanchoe, sedum, and sempervivum. Their slow growth means you won’t have to constantly prune them, while they provide texture to your drought-tolerant landscape.
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3. Native plant gardens
Native plants are used to your local conditions, so if dry spells are common, they won’t mind. Many plants grow deep roots and require very little care, which is beneficial if you’re on a budget or have limited time for maintenance.
Just make sure you’re not picking plants native to marshy areas, river bottoms, floodplains, prairie potholes, or regions that receive more rain, as they won’t fare well in drought conditions, says Aaron Steil, consumer horticulture extension specialist at Iowa State University. If you want your landscape to survive a drought, choose plants built for it.
Common drought-tolerant native plants are black-eyed Susan, purple coneflower, yarrow, blazing star, common sunflower, fragrant sumac, and milkweed.
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4. Rock gardens
Rock gardens are both decorative and practical. They reduce the amount of plantable space, which means less watering, and add structure and interest. You can pair rocks with sedum, creeping thyme, lavender, and alpine aster; these nestle between the rocks to fill gaps and spread like a natural green blanket.
Consider a rock garden for sunny slopes, around your patio, along walkways, and in areas with poor soil where turfgrass won’t grow. Once in a while, weed between the rocks and trim any spreading groundcovers to keep things tidy.
Read related: 20 Best Plants For Rock Gardens
5. Rain gardens
Even dry regions get the occasional heavy rain. Rain gardens are shallow, bowl-shaped areas that collect stormwater runoff from roofs, driveways, and patios, storing it in the soil for future use. They help your yard stay hydrated between storms, especially during long dry spells.
To create a rain garden, use a mix of drought-tolerant and deep-rooted native plants. Good options include switchgrass, black-eyed Susan, blue flag iris, and coneflowers.
| My tip: Choose a low area that collects runoff, like at the end of a slope or near a downspout. My grandfather had several around the yard at all times, and he always kept them at least 10 feet away from the home’s foundation. |
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6. Ornamental grasses
Ornamental grasses like pampas grass, fountain grass, or big bluestem are very drought-tolerant once established. They add texture, height, and movement to your yard, and many don’t require frequent watering.
Their roots often grow 3 to 6 feet deep (some up to 10), reaching water that regular lawn grass can’t. Once established, they usually only need rain to survive, even when it’s dry for a long time.
Above ground, they limit water loss with their narrow, rolled leaves, waxy coating, and upright position that reduces the surface exposed to the sun.
Read related: 9 Best Drought-Tolerant Ornamental Grasses
7. Drought-resistant grasses
Drought-tolerant grasses establish quickly with minimal rainfall and survive dry periods by entering dormancy rather than dying. They have deep roots that find water deep in the soil, narrow, water-storing leaves, and thicker cell walls that allow them to resist wilting and heat stress.
For example, buffalograss has roots over 5 feet deep, which helps it find water during droughts. Likewise, bluebunch wheatgrass grows deep and spreads wide, making it a great fit for areas with 10 to 20 inches of rainfall. According experts at the United States Department of Agriculture, the Secar and Discovery varieties need even less, only about 8 inches a year.
- Best cool-season drought-tolerant grasses: Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, bluebunch wheatgrass
- Best warm-season drought-tolerant grasses: Bermudagrass, Buffalograss, St. Augustinegrass, Zoysiagrass
8. Drip irrigation
Drip irrigation is a watering system that sends small, targeted amounts of water directly to the roots of grass and plants. It prevents evaporation, increases water efficiency so you’re only watering your plants, provides consistent moisture, and saves between 20 and 50% more water than traditional sprinklers (according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency).
There are several options for drip irrigation. Choose whatever best suits your garden size, plants, local climate, and personal preferences for water control.
- Poly tubing: Releases water directly into the soil, near the plants. Ideal for both small and large areas, garden beds, shrubs, and vegetable gardens.
- Soaker hoses: “Bleed” water directly from pores to the soil surface and can be buried under mulch to reduce evaporation. They’re cost-effective and easy to install and maintain.
- Drip tape: Has custom emitter spacing. Great for raised flower beds, shallow-rooted plants, and vegetable gardens.
- Micro sprinklers: Provide a wide spray pattern and gentle, uniform watering suitable for ground covers, flower beds, and vegetable gardens.
Read related:
- Benefits of Drip Irrigation
- How Much Does Drip Irrigation Cost in 2025?
- Types of irrigation
- How to Install an In-Ground Lawn Sprinkler System
9. Mulch
Mulch is a must-have for keeping soil cool and moist in drought-prone areas. Organic mulches like bark, wood chips, straw, or compost slow down evaporation, suppress weeds, and improve soil over time. Inorganic mulches like gravel, lava rock, or rubber mulch also reduce evaporation and are especially helpful in areas without irrigation. They reflect heat and can last for years.
The table below outlines a few factors to consider when choosing mulch for your drought-tolerant landscape:
| What’s your goal? | Best mulch type | Why it works |
| Retain moisture and improve soil | Shredded bark, straw, compost | Organic matter feeds the soil and holds moisture |
| Low-maintenance, modern look | Gravel, crushed stone | Inorganic, lasts long, great for xeriscaping |
| Improve veggie beds | Straw, compost | Breaks down quickly, improves the soil |
| Manage windy conditions | Bark nuggets or stone | Heavier materials stay in place |
Read related:
- How to Choose the Right Color Mulch?
- Mulch Calculator: How Much Mulch Do I Need?
- How Deep Should Mulch Be?
10. Raised beds
Raised beds are garden plots that sit above ground level, usually framed with wood, stone, or other materials. They’re particularly valuable for drought tolerance because you have complete control over the soil mix. You can add well-draining, rich soil, compost, or moisture-retaining ingredients like coco coir to create the ideal growing environment. This custom soil mix helps plants survive dry spells by helping the soil:
- Hold moisture longer between waterings
- Drain efficiently (without getting soggy) to prevent root problems
- Reduce runoff or water waste
With raised beds, you can also group plants by water needs and combine them with drip irrigation for a drought-savvy garden. Run the emitter tubing just where it’s needed, add timers for consistent moisture during dry periods, and mulch over everything to reduce evaporation.
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11. Container gardens
Containers let you deliver every drop of water directly to the plant. As such, they keep moisture where it’s needed and don’t allow leaking into surrounding soil like garden beds. This is helpful for growing drought-tolerant varieties like succulents, lavender, or rosemary.
They’re perfect for patios, balconies, or small spaces. And since you’re not depending on particular soil conditions, you can garden almost anywhere. During extreme drought or intense sun, you can reposition your pots to shady or sheltered areas to prevent water stress.
Read related: How to Start a Container Garden
12. Hardscaping
Hardscaping like patios, gravel paths, and stone walls cuts down on plantable space, which means less watering overall. These features require zero irrigation once installed, making them extremely drought-resistant landscape elements. Used creatively, hardscaping can add beauty, function, and structure to your landscape while supporting drainage and erosion control.
Hardscaping also helps manage water more efficiently during both droughts and heavy rains. Permeable materials like gravel and flagstone allow rainwater to soak into the ground instead of running off, while solid surfaces can direct water to planted areas that need it most. It’s a great way to turn your yard into a usable outdoor living space without the high water bill.
Read related: 10 Hardscaping Ideas for Extra Curb Appeal
Let an expert take it from here
With the right drought-friendly landscaping, your yard can look amazing without the need for excessive watering and maintenance. However, converting your landscaping can take time and effort. Lawn Love can connect you with a local pro to handle the dirty work for you.
Sources:
- “The benefits of xeriscaping: A beginner’s guide to drought-tolerant landscaping.” By John Murgel, horticulture expert with CSU Extension, specializing in drought-tolerant landscaping. Colorado State University.
- “Succulents & Low Water.” University of California.
- “Saving Water With Microirrigation: A Homeowner Guide.” United States Environmental Protection Agency.
- “Start Saving.” United States Environmental Protection Agency.
- Aaron Steil, consumer horticulture extension specialist. Iowa State University. Personal email interview.
Main Image Credit: Thierry RYO | Adobe Stock Free | License
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