If you live in a dry climate or want to create a low-maintenance, water-efficient garden, choosing drought-tolerant shrubs is key. These hardy plants can thrive in full sun while requiring minimal watering, making them perfect for xeriscaping or reducing your water bill. Below, we’ve compiled a list of 15 of the best drought-resistant shrubs that will add color, texture, and resilience to your landscape.
1. Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
A favorite among gardeners, lavender is known for its fragrant purple blooms and silvery-green foliage. It thrives in hot, dry climates and attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Key Benefits:
- Low water needs
- Aromatic and pest-resistant
- Great for borders and rock gardens
2. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
With its wispy stems and lavender-blue flowers, Russian sage is a stunning addition to any sunny, drought-prone garden. It’s deer-resistant and low-maintenance, perfect for adding a touch of elegance.
Key Benefits:
- Thrives in poor, dry soils
- Provides a long season of blooms
- Attracts bees and butterflies
3. Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens)
Also known as the barometer bush, Texas sage bursts into bloom after rainfall, displaying vibrant purple flowers. It’s evergreen, making it a great choice for year-round interest.
Key Benefits:
- Extremely heat-tolerant
- Requires little to no irrigation once established
- Great for hedges or as a standalone shrub
4. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii)
True to its name, the butterfly bush attracts butterflies with its sweetly scented, colorful flower spikes. It’s fast-growing and provides vibrant summer blooms.
Key Benefits:
- Thrives in dry conditions
- Comes in a variety of colors (purple, pink, white)
- Encourages pollinators
5. Creosote Bush (Larrea tridentata)
Native to desert regions, the creosote bush is one of the toughest drought-resistant shrubs. It has small yellow flowers and releases a distinct scent after rain.
Key Benefits:
- Requires almost no watering once established
- Thrives in sandy or rocky soils
- Provides shelter for desert wildlife
6. Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)
A summer-blooming stunner, crape myrtle produces abundant clusters of flowers in pink, red, purple, or white. It’s deciduous but highly drought-tolerant.
Key Benefits:
- Provides color throughout summer
- Resistant to heat and drought
- Available in shrub and small tree forms
7. Rockrose (Cistus spp.)
This Mediterranean native is a rugged, evergreen shrub with paper-like blooms in shades of pink, purple, or white. It thrives in coastal and dry landscapes.
Key Benefits:
- Tolerates sandy and rocky soils
- Deer-resistant
- Blooms profusely in full sun
8. Blue Mist Spirea (Caryopteris x clandonensis)
A compact shrub with powder-blue flowers, blue mist spirea is a magnet for bees and butterflies. It’s perfect for low-water gardens and borders.
Key Benefits:
- Blooms from late summer into fall
- Tolerates drought and poor soils
- Attracts pollinators
9. Oleander (Nerium oleander)
Oleander is a tough, evergreen shrub with lush, tropical foliage and vibrant flowers in pink, white, red, or yellow. It thrives in hot and dry conditions.
Key Benefits:
- Tolerates extreme heat and drought
- Works well as a privacy hedge
- Caution: Toxic if ingested
10. Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis)
With its delicate, trumpet-shaped flowers, the desert willow resembles a true willow but is far more drought-resistant.
Key Benefits:
- Attracts hummingbirds
- Requires very little water
- Grows well in sandy or loamy soils
11. Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii)
This compact, woody shrub produces bright red, pink, or purple flowers and thrives in hot, arid conditions.
Key Benefits:
- Low maintenance
- Blooms from spring to fall
- Attracts bees and hummingbirds
12. Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.)
With its twisting red bark and small, bell-shaped flowers, manzanita is a striking shrub for drought-prone gardens.
Key Benefits:
- Evergreen with unique texture
- Tolerates dry, rocky soils
- Produces small berries loved by wildlife
13. Pineapple Guava (Feijoa sellowiana)
This fruit-bearing shrub is an excellent edible addition to low-water gardens. It produces sweet, tropical-flavored fruit in late summer.
Key Benefits:
- Drought-tolerant once established
- Attractive silvery-green foliage
- Edible fruit and flowers
14. Spanish Broom (Spartium junceum)
With its bright yellow, pea-like flowers, Spanish broom adds vivid color to any dry landscape. It thrives in gravelly or sandy soils.
Key Benefits:
- Thrives in dry, poor soils
- Fragrant flowers in late spring
- Fast-growing and low-maintenance
15. Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora)
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance, architectural shrub, Red Yucca is a fantastic choice. This evergreen succulent-like plant produces tall, coral-red flower spikes that attract hummingbirds. Its narrow, blue-green leaves add a modern, desert-inspired touch to any landscape. Red Yucca thrives in poor, rocky soils and is perfect for xeriscaping or a Southwestern garden design.
Key Benefits:
- Drought and heat-tolerant
- Produces vibrant red flowers that bloom for months
- Attracts hummingbirds and pollinators
These 15 drought-tolerant shrubs will not only withstand harsh sun and dry conditions but also bring beauty and texture to your garden. Whether you’re looking for colorful blooms, evergreen foliage, or wildlife-friendly options, these shrubs will help you create a stunning, water-wise landscape.
