- 1. Creosote bush (larrea tridentata)<\/a><\/li>
- 2. Desert spoon (dasylirion wheeleri)<\/a><\/li>
- 3. Brittlebush (encelia farinosa)<\/a><\/li>
- 4. Texas ranger (leucophyllum frutescens)<\/a><\/li>
- 5. Jojoba (simmondsia chinensis)<\/a><\/li>
- 6. Rabbitbrush (ericameria nauseosa)<\/a><\/li>
- 7. Apache plume (fallugia paradoxa)<\/a><\/li>
- 8. Mountain mahogany (cercocarpus betuloides)<\/a><\/li>
- 9. Adam\u2019s needle (yucca filamentosa)<\/a><\/li>
- 10. Manzanita (arctostaphylos spp.)<\/a><\/li>
- 11. Juniper (juniperus communis)<\/a><\/li>
- 12. Leadplant (amorpha canescens)<\/a><\/li>
- 13. Stansbury cliffrose (purshia stansburiana)<\/a><\/li>
- 14. Desert sumac (rhus microphylla)<\/a><\/li>
- 15. Fernbush (Chamaebatiaria millefolium)<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
1. Creosote bush (larrea tridentata<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Creosote](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Creosote-Bush.jpeg\")
Jared Quentin<\/a> | Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure> - Hardiness zones<\/strong>: 7-11<\/li>
- Growing region<\/strong>: Southwest (Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah)<\/li>
- Size<\/strong>: 4-8 feet tall and wide<\/li>
- Sun\/Shade<\/strong>: Full sun<\/li>
- Soil needs<\/strong>: Well-drained, rocky, sandy, or gravelly soils<\/li>
- Foliage<\/strong>: Evergreen, small, resinous, dark green leaves with 2 leaflets each<\/li>
- Best for<\/strong>: Foundation plantings, beds, borders, and rock and water-wise gardens
<\/li> <\/ul>Thanks to deep roots and waxy leaves, the creosote bush doesn\u2019t need much water and stays hydrated in tough conditions. It\u2019s also a great ground cover for erosion control<\/a>, making it both functional and drought-resistant.<\/p>
According to experts at Arizona State University, creosote produces and releases certain toxins into the soil that inhibit growth in nearby plants, allowing it to protect its water supply.<\/p>
2. Desert spoon (dasylirion wheeleri<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Dasylirion](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Dasylirion-wheeleri.jpeg\")
KarinD<\/a> | Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure> - Hardiness zones<\/strong>: 8-11<\/li>
- Growing region<\/strong>: Southwest (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas)<\/li>
- Size<\/strong>: 3-5 feet tall, 4-5 feet wide<\/li>
- Sun\/Shade<\/strong>: Full sun<\/li>
- Soil needs<\/strong>: Well-drained soils; tolerates chalk, clay, loam, and sand<\/li>
- Foliage<\/strong>: Thick, rigid, fibrous, waxy, long leaves (up to 5 feet long)<\/li>
- Best for<\/strong>: Beds, borders, and city, coastal, or Mediterranean gardens<\/li> <\/ul>
Desert spoon can survive with very little water and still look beautiful. Its spiky sword-like leaves have a waxy texture that minimizes water loss, and its trunk stores water for use during drought conditions. <\/p>
This shrub thrives in various soil types<\/a>, often requiring minimal care once established. Its unique form and low-maintenance traits make it a great pick for drought-tolerant landscapes.<\/p>
3. Brittlebush (encelia farinosa<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Brittlebush,](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Brittlebush.jpeg\")
Diane N. Ennis<\/a> | Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure> - Hardiness zones<\/strong>: 8-11<\/li>
- Growing region<\/strong>: Southwest (Arizona, California, Nevada)<\/li>
- Size<\/strong>: 2-4 feet tall and wide<\/li>
- Sun\/Shade<\/strong>: Full sun<\/li>
- Soil needs<\/strong>: Well-drained, sandy or rocky soils<\/li>
- Foliage<\/strong>: Pale green in early spring, velvety-white in summer<\/li>
- Best for<\/strong>: Banks, slopes, borders, native gardens, and desert restoration projects<\/li> <\/ul>
Ideal for dry gardens, brittlebush survives intense drought by going dormant and dropping most of its leaves. Once it rains, it quickly produces new foliage. With a shallow, but extensive root system, it can quickly absorb surface moisture from even brief rainstorms. To keep its flowers blooming, give it a deep soak every few months.<\/p>
4. Texas ranger (leucophyllum frutescens<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Leucophyllum](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Leucophyllum-frutescens.jpeg\")
Bowonpat<\/a> | Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure> - Hardiness zones<\/strong>: 8-10<\/li>
- Growing region<\/strong>: Southwest (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas)<\/li>
- Size<\/strong>: 5-8 feet tall, 4-6 feet wide<\/li>
- Sun\/Shade<\/strong>: Full sun<\/li>
- Soil needs<\/strong>: Well-drained, loamy or sandy soil<\/li>
- Foliage<\/strong>: Evergreen, silvery-gray leaves covered in fine hair<\/li>
- Best for<\/strong>: Functional and ornamental landscaping<\/li> <\/ul>
Texas ranger thrives in dry conditions and is perfect for the blazing Southwestern sun. Its pretty, silver, hair-covered foliage helps it withstand intense heat, but during extreme dry spells, it enters dormancy and sheds some leaves to reduce its water needs. <\/p>
It also has an extensive root system that can access water far below the surface during drought periods.<\/p>
5. Jojoba (simmondsia chinensis<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Simmondsia](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Simmondsia-chinensis-jojoba.jpeg\")
Alika<\/a> | Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure> - Hardiness zones<\/strong>: 8-10<\/li>
- Growing region<\/strong>: Southwest (Arizona, California)<\/li>
- Size<\/strong>: 3-7 feet tall, 4-7 feet wide<\/li>
- Sun\/Shade<\/strong>: Full sun<\/li>
- Soil needs<\/strong>: Well-drained, sandy, or rocky soil; can tolerate strongly acidic or very alkaline soil, poor soil, and saline conditions<\/li>
- Foliage<\/strong>: Leathery, thick, oval or elliptical gray-green leaves<\/li>
- Best for<\/strong>: Hedges, screens, patios, containers, and gravel or rock gardens<\/li> <\/ul>
Jojoba is incredibly drought-tolerant thanks to its deep taproot, which can reach over 10 feet down to access underground water sources. Its small, waxy leaves help reduce water loss by minimizing evaporation. <\/p>
Native to desert regions, it\u2019s naturally adapted to survive in hot, dry conditions. Even in long dry spells, jojoba can thrive with little to no supplemental watering.<\/p>
6. Rabbitbrush (ericameria nauseosa<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
![\"yellow](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/rabbitbrush.jpg\")
MarekPhotoDesign.com<\/a> | Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure> - Hardiness zones<\/strong>: 4-9<\/li>
- Growing region<\/strong>: Mountain West (Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming)<\/li>
- Size<\/strong>: 4-7 feet tall and wide<\/li>
- Sun\/Shade<\/strong>: Full sun<\/li>
- Soil needs<\/strong>: Well-drained, dry to medium moisture soil<\/li>
- Foliage<\/strong>: Very narrow, green or blue-gray leaves<\/li>
- Best for<\/strong>: Banks, slopes, low hedges, screens
<\/li> <\/ul>With yellow flowers that brighten up dry landscapes, rabbitbrush thrives on little to no water. This native shrub is perfect for creating a wild, natural look in your yard, and it can withstand both drought and the colder temps typical of the Mountain West extremely well. It\u2019s the kind of plant that needs little care, attracts pollinators, and improves curb appeal.<\/p>
7. Apache plume (fallugia paradoxa<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Apache](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Apache-Plume-Fallugia-Paradoxa-Prairie-Plant-.jpg\")
NoonVirachada<\/a> | Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure> - Hardiness zones<\/strong>: 6-8<\/li>
- Growing region<\/strong>: Mountain West (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, Utah)<\/li>
- Size<\/strong>: 4-6 feet tall, 4-5 feet wide<\/li>
- Sun\/Shade<\/strong>: Full sun<\/li>
- Soil needs<\/strong>: Well-drained, sandy, dry, and gravelly soil<\/li>
- Foliage<\/strong>: Small, lobed, dark green leaves that have silver undersides<\/li>
- Best for<\/strong>: Beds and borders<\/li> <\/ul>
Apache Plume is a shrub that excels in dry conditions and is ideal for tough, rocky areas where other plants struggle. The small, divided leaves prevent moisture loss and retain their vigor during water stress. <\/p>
This plant needs little water once established. During extreme drought, it goes dormant temporarily, but resumes growth as soon as water becomes available.<\/p>
8. Mountain mahogany (cercocarpus betuloides<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Cercocarpus](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Cercocarpus-betuloides.jpg\")
kharzey<\/a> | Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure> - Hardiness zones<\/strong>: 5-9<\/li>
- Growing region<\/strong>: Mountain West (California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming)<\/li>
- Size<\/strong>: 8-20 feet tall, 10-12 feet wide<\/li>
- Sun\/Shade<\/strong>: Full sun to partial shade<\/li>
- Soil needs<\/strong>: Well-drained, very acidic to slightly alkaline soil; tolerates loam and sand<\/li>
- Foliage<\/strong>: Evergreen, alternate, round, serrated leaves that are dark green on top and white with fine hairs underneath<\/li>
- Best for<\/strong>: Hedges, screens, banks, slopes
<\/li> <\/ul>Mountain mahogany thrives in dry, rocky conditions. Its dense, evergreen foliage can withstand drought due to leathery leaves that don\u2019t mind some dehydration. The roots are deep and wide, with new shoots constantly emerging from the central system. It\u2019s well-suited for erosion control and low maintenance, making it ideal for very dry spots.<\/p>
9. Adam\u2019s needle (yucca filamentosa<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Yucca](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Yucca-filamentosa.jpg\")
Katarzyna<\/a> | Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure> - Hardiness zones<\/strong>: 4-11<\/li>
- Growing region<\/strong>: Southeast (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia)<\/li>
- Size<\/strong>: 3-8 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide<\/li>
- Sun\/Shade<\/strong>: Full sun<\/li>
- Soil needs<\/strong>: Well-drained, medium-moisture soils; can handle poor, sandy soils and a few hours of shade<\/li>
- Foliage<\/strong>: Rigid, spine-tipped, sword-shaped, dark green leaves that have curly filaments on the edges<\/li>
- Best for<\/strong>: Beds, borders, and city, coastal, rock, or Mediterranean gardens
<\/li> <\/ul>Adam\u2019s needle is right at home in hot, dry climates, particularly in loose, sandy soils along the coast. With its long, spiky leaves and tall flower stalks, it can handle drought without breaking a sweat. Its deep taproots can access water deep underground, regardless of soil depth. <\/p>
Once established, Adam\u2019s needle needs very little attention, making it a no-fuss, drought-tolerant native option for xeriscapes and other water-wise landscapes.<\/p>
10. Manzanita (arctostaphylos spp.<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Greenleaf](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Greenleaf-Manzanita.jpg\")
Nikki<\/a> | Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure> - Hardiness zones<\/strong>: 8-10<\/li>
- Growing region<\/strong>: Pacific Northwest (California, Oregon, Washington)<\/li>
- Size<\/strong>: 10-12 feet tall and wide<\/li>
- Sun\/Shade<\/strong>: Full sun<\/li>
- Soil needs<\/strong>: Well-drained, poor, rocky, clay soil<\/li>
- Foliage<\/strong>: Evergreen with silver-green, glossy leaves<\/li>
- Best for<\/strong>: Hillsides, erosion control, native plant gardens<\/li> <\/ul>
Manzanitas are eye-catching shrubs or small trees that grow naturally in dry parts of the Western U.S. and do well in poor soil without much water. With deep roots and waxy, leathery leaves that reduce moisture loss, manzanitas thrive in xeriscaped gardens and require minimal maintenance once established. <\/p>
According to Penny Pawl, a master gardener from Napa County, it\u2019s best to avoid planting manzanitas near big trees. They\u2019ll block the sun, and your manzanitas won\u2019t be happy.<\/p>
11. Juniper (juniperus communis<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
- Growing region<\/strong>: Pacific Northwest (California, Oregon, Washington)<\/li>
- Growing region<\/strong>: Southeast (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia)<\/li>
- Growing region<\/strong>: Mountain West (California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming)<\/li>
- Growing region<\/strong>: Mountain West (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, Utah)<\/li>
- Growing region<\/strong>: Mountain West (Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming)<\/li>
- Growing region<\/strong>: Southwest (Arizona, California)<\/li>
- Growing region<\/strong>: Southwest (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas)<\/li>
- Growing region<\/strong>: Southwest (Arizona, California, Nevada)<\/li>
- Growing region<\/strong>: Southwest (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas)<\/li>
- Growing region<\/strong>: Southwest (Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah)<\/li>
- 2. Desert spoon (dasylirion wheeleri)<\/a><\/li>