12 Drought-Tolerant Perennials That Practically Take Care of Themselves

Prairie Coneflower

While prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) shares a common name with purple coneflower, it's actually in a different plant family and is not closely related. "This perennial’s whimsically shaped blooms can be red, yellow, or a combination of both," says Sarah Menz, a certified master gardener with a Master’s degree in sustainability.

Prairie coneflowers perform well in various soil types and are easy to grow. "You can plant them from seed in the spring in areas with full sun," Menz says. "To keep the plant looking fresh through July and possibly even August or September, I suggest deadheading spent flowers to encourage more blooms. I especially recommend prairie coneflower for rural gardens, as the flowers have a strong scent that can repel deer."

Catmint

Catmint (Nepeta) is a great herbaceous perennial and a modern alternative to traditional lavender. "Nepeta is very low maintenance, yet brings a lot of benefits to your garden," says gardening and greenhouse expert Lucie Bradley from Easy Garden Irrigation. "It has small lavender-blue flowers—although some varieties can be white or yellow—that appear from late spring through late summer and attractive grayish-green leaves."

You can grow Nepeta from seed in spring or autumn. "For best results, plant in soil that has good drainage and in a position where they will get full sun," Bradley says. "Until the plants have settled, ensure you keep them well watered. Once established, these hardy plants can pretty much look after themselves."

Yarrow

Available in an array of colors, yarrow (Achillea millefolium) adds gorgeous texture to a garden. "It’s so dreamy, and its airiness will bring that cottage garden or meadow vibe," says Laura Janney, CEO of The Inspired Garden Masterclass. "Not only is it a long bloomer, but it will spread and give you even more plants that make beautiful cut flowers, is a fantastic pollinator plant, and is resistant to deer."

Once established, yarrow is extremely low-maintenance. "It doesn’t need as much water as it has deep roots to pull moisture from," Janney says. "It prefers full sun, along with loamy and sandy, well-drained soil."

Beardtongue

Beardtongue (Penstemon) is a low-maintenance plant with low-water needs and tubular flowers that come in a rainbow of colors. "My favorites are the Electric Blue Penstemon and the especially vibrant red Standout Summer Fire," says Menz. "Penstemons generally like full sun, well-drained soil, and can bloom from early spring through fall—depending on the species."

Lavender

Who doesn’t love the smell and beauty of lavender (Lavandula)? "This is a plant I grow a lot of on the farm because of its ease, beauty, and abundance of uses," says Ondrea Kidd, flower expert and owner of Sowing Joy Farm. "Both French and English varieties handle drought conditions well. Lavender loves to be in full sun and would prefer to be on the south-facing side of a structure and planted in well-draining soil."

Water regularly until lavender is established, and then only when the soil is dry. "Overwatering can lead to root rot, and lavender does not need much for fertilizing," Kidd says. "A top layer of compost or mulch is sufficient." Once blooms are spent, cut back the stems to the leafy part of the plant, avoiding cutting back past where new growth is appearing.

Shasta Daisies

Shasta daisies (Leucanthemum × superbum) are low-maintenance, long-lasting flowers that bring a bright, fresh look to any garden. "These make excellent cut flowers, as well," says Rebecca Sears, CMO and resident green thumb of Ferry Morse, a U.S. seed company. "They add a sweet, dainty element to bouquets for loved ones or yourself."

Once the last frost has passed, plant your seeds in open ground that’s well-exposed and receives full sun to partial shade. "Water regularly until roots have been established, then Shasta daisies will become drought-tolerant and will bloom in the second season after sowing," Sears says. Add a layer of mulch around your Shasta daisies every spring to keep them from drying out.

Sea Holly

A hardy, herbaceous perennial, sea holly (Eryngium maritimum) is prized for its prickly appearance and cone-shaped blooms in striking shades ranging from dark to metallic, electric blue, or silvery-white. "These blooms are packed with nectar, which makes them ideal for attracting beneficial pollinators into your garden, such as bees and butterflies," Bradley says. "If left in place to dry, these same blooms become a valuable source of seeds over late autumn and winter to wild birds visiting your garden."

Sea holly is extremely low maintenance once established within your garden, and will quickly display its dislike of too much care and attention. "If you overfeed it, sea holly will flower less, and the plants will flop over," Bradley warns. Sea holly grows well in poor, dry soil and full sun, and will even thrive in exposed, windy areas of your garden.

Russian Sage

There is nothing like the look and smell of Russian sage (Salvia yangii), says Janney. "We love how the soft, delicate blooms create a beautiful background and lovely contrast with bolder flowers in the garden," she continues. "It’s an amazing pollinator and a lovely filler in any bouquet, plus it’s deer resistant."

Once established, its deep roots help pull up moisture, meaning not much watering is needed. However, it requires full sun and tolerates various soil types, as long as they’re well-draining.

Hummingbird Trumpet

Also known as California fuchsia, the hummingbird trumpet (Epilobium canum) provides an excellent source of nectar for hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. With its long tubular flowers in a variety of bright reds and oranges, Menz recommends adding this flowering perennial to your landscape because—in addition to being drought-tolerant—it also flowers mid-summer through early fall, when many other plants have already lost their color or gone to seed. 

"By combining it with plants that flower earlier in the season, you can have a constant source of colorful garden blooms," Menz says. "Hummingbird trumpet prefers dry areas with well-draining soil and full to partial sun."

Coneflower

Coneflowers (Echinacea) are great, low-maintenance perennials for beginner gardeners because they’re drought- and heat-resistant and offer a long-term bloom for your garden. "Apart from their ornamental value, coneflowers are rich in antioxidants, having been used in herbal remedies for centuries," Sears says. "They also symbolize strength and healing, making them a thoughtful gift if someone in your life needs some extra support."

Purple coneflower seeds thrive in full sun. "They’ll need 1 to 2 inches of water per week during their first growing season, but once established, they require minimal watering," she explains. "Dry spells are the exception here—if you know you live in an area that experiences prolonged dry conditions, deep watering once a week is necessary."

Stonecrop

Stonecrop (Sedum) is an excellent choice because its leaves can store water, and it is hardy in most USDA growing zones. "Sedum comes in upright varieties, which I love for cut flowers, and several low-growing varieties," Kidd says. "It comes in a variety of colors—my favorites are Autumn Joy and Purple Emperor."

Sedum thrives in full sun and in medium- to poor-quality soil, so it does not require fertilizing. “Water when dry while your plant is getting established, but then it hardly requires any maintenance after that," Kidd explains. "This plant is well-loved by bees and butterflies, looks beautiful for most of the year, and is easy to divide as it gets bigger. All you need to do is dig a piece off and replant it."

Back-Eyed Susan

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) provides a stunning burst of color and a steady source of pollen and nectar to support pollinators. "These flowers can either be started indoors or directly sown in open ground that’s well exposed, meaning that it’s not too late to plant them for spring or summer blooms," Sears says.

As an added benefit, Black-eyed Susan blooms through the first light frosts, helping your garden maintain its beauty throughout summer and fall.

When planting Black-eyed Susan, choose a spot that receives full sun and has well-draining soil. "Like other drought-tolerant perennials, these flowers will need 1 to 2 inches of water per week until their roots are established," Sears continues. "Once mature, they’ll be able to survive with little watering, making them an excellent choice for gardeners who are always on the go or simply forget to water their plants from time to time."