10 Drought-Tolerant Summer Flowers That Thrive Through It All

It would be nice if every summer offered the perfect blend of sun and rain to keep the garden adequately supplied at all times, but unfortunately, we sometimes have to deal with the effects of drought. Even if the weather is perfect, summer is a busy season that can sometimes cause the garden to experience neglect.

Drought-tolerant flowers are a great option during summer, whether you live in a climate with minimal rainfall or you're going on vacation for a week in the middle of July. Here, we're sharing the drought-tolerant flowers that gardening experts say will thrive all summer.

Angela Judd, certified master gardener, author of How to Grow Your Own Food, and founder of Growing in the Garden
Jan Johnsen, landscape designer and author of Floratopia: 110 Flower Garden Ideas for Your Yard, Patio or Balcony
Teri Speight, landscape gardener, garden coach, podcast host, and author of The Urban Garden

01 of 16

Globe Amaranth

With beautiful, round blossoms reminiscent of chives, globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa) flowers are found in many pastel colors and are easy to grow. "These globe-shaped blooms are tough as nails and just keep going, even in the heat," says author Angela Judd. "They’re one of my favorite cut flowers for summer and don’t need much water once they’re established."

Zones: 9 to 11 as a perennial, can be grown as an annual in most zones
Size: 24 inches tall x 12 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

02 of 16

Sunflower

If you can keep critters from stealing the seeds you planted, sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are easy to grow and offer so much return on your efforts. There are many varieties to choose from in various shapes and sizes. Sunflowers often shine through hot, dry summer afternoons when many plants struggle. "Once they’re growing, sunflowers are incredibly drought-tolerant," says Judd. "Choose branching varieties for longer bloom time and more flowers."

Zones: 3 to 9
Size: Depends on variety; 2 to 10 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining, sandy or loamy soil

03 of 16

Blanket Flower

Blanket flower (Gaillardia) is a stunning member of the daisy family that can handle poor soil and full sun. "Once established, it is very drought tolerant," says Judd. Blanket flower blooms prolifically with hardly any care, making it a favorite in summer beds, she adds.

Zones: 3 to 10
Size: 24 inches tall x 24 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

04 of 16

Bidens

If you like plants that don't require deadheading and look lovely in a container, try bidens (Bidens spp.). "This short, spreading warm zone perennial has fern-like, bright green foliage and tolerates dry conditions," says gardening expert Jan Johnsen. She is especially fond of the 'Goldilocks Rocks' cultivar. "It is a trailing variety and sports large, golden-yellow flowers along its cascading stems. The flowers are up to 3 inches across!" she says.

Zones: 9 to 11 as a perennial, can be grown as an annual in most zones
Size: 8 to 14 inches tall x 10 to 20 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

05 of 16

Fan Flower

Plants can dry out quickly in containers or hanging baskets, but the fan flower (Scaevola aemula) likes these conditions. "Its cascading branches are festooned with a nonstop show of blue, pink, or white flowers," says Johnsen. "This drought-tolerant flower is in constant bloom throughout the heat of summer to first frost." According to Johnsen, fan flower is easy to care for, doesn't require deadheading, and is resistant to deer and rabbits. "Try the popular variety 'Blue Wonder,'" she suggests.

Zones: 10 to 11 as a perennial, can be grown as an annual in most zones
Size: 18 inches tall x 24 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil

06 of 16

Red Hot Poker Plant

Described as "fiery and fearless" by Johnsen, the red hot poker plant (Kniphofia uvaria) is the perfect addition to a garden with dry conditions. "A deer-resistant perennial, red hot poker plant, loves full sun and poor soils," she says. "It has bold, torch-like blooms from late spring through summer, with some varieties growing 3 to 4 feet tall." She suggests snipping off faded blooms to encourage the plant to produce more spikes.

Zones: 5 to 9
Size: 3 to 4 feet tall x 3 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

07 of 16

Sea Holly

It's blue and beautiful and can be a gorgeous addition to your garden. Sea holly (Eryngium planum) is a perennial in the carrot family. "It's great as a cut flower and provides architectural interest in an unexpected shade of blue," says gardening author Teri Speight. "It is also deer-resistant, and the bees love it. It provides beauty in the low-maintenance garden all summer long."

Zones: 4 to 9
Size: 3 feet tall x 2 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; dry soil

08 of 16

Brown-Eyed Susan

Related to the more commonly known black-eyed Susan, brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba) is a wonderful drought-tolerant plant. "A repeat performer in my dry garden, it loves the heat and humidity and is unbothered by pests or diseases," says Speight. "I allow the seeds to self-sow, so I can depend on its return year after year. I know this plant will thrive even in the midst of drought."

Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 2 to 5 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil

09 of 16

Coral Bells

Coral bells (Heuchera) is a drought-tolerant plant whose foliage is even prettier than its blooms. "So many varieties of this plant keep me smiling from ear to ear," says Speight. "Most Heuchera love well-drained soil and require minimal upkeep." Coral bells won't need supplemental watering if the soil is relatively moist or the plants are mulched to maintain an even moisture level.

Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 18 inches tall x 18 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil

10 of 16

October Daphne Stonecrop

October daphne stonecrop (Sedum sieboldii) blooms later in summer and is a beautiful ground cover. "Sedum sieboldii is another full sun plant that loves minimal attention, including water," says Speight. "I love this in a grouping of three or five plants at a corner or lower level of a tiered garden bed." She says it even works well in a pot if you allow it to grow over the edge and sprawl. "Dry soil is its friend, and if it is too wet, this plant is prone to rot," says Speight.

Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 12 inches tall x 12 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

11 of 16

Dianthus

While it requires regular watering after being planted, dianthus (Dianthus spp.) is known for being drought-tolerant once established. They need well-draining soil so they don't become waterlogged. These plants will brighten your garden with a stunning succession of charming pink blooms.

Zones: 3 to 8
Size: 6 to 36 inches tall x 6 x 24 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

12 of 16

Coneflower

The stalwart coneflower (Echinacea) is a staple of the summer garden. Coneflower features large, colorful blooms in various hues and looks eye-catching in beds and containers. Water coneflowers well at the beginning of the season, but once they start to take off, they'll do just fine during dry periods in the summer.

Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 48 inches tall x 36 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

13 of 16

Globe Thistle

For an unexpected visual surprise in the garden, consider growing globe thistle (Echinops). The spherical flowers provide a stunning contrast against more traditional blooms in the garden, and they thrive in drier conditions. Wet soil or clay can be detrimental to globe thistle, so be sure it has well-draining soil and water moderately.

Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 2 to 4 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

14 of 16

Russian Sage

Although its herbal-sounding common name might suggest otherwise, Russian sage (Salvia yangii) is inedible. Instead, it provides attractive yet subtle blooms from spring all through the fall. Russian sage is another crop that doesn't need much attention and handles dry weather happily.

Zones: 4 to 9
Size: 4 feet tall x 3 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil that's slightly alkaline

15 of 16

Yarrow

The head of a yarrow plant (Achillea millefolium) contains many tiny flowers, all on a long stalk with fern-like foliage. Yarrow is super hardy, requires little maintenance, and can add a touch of vertical height to your home's landscaping. Yarrow loves dry conditions and is quite drought-tolerant.

Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 24 to 36 inches tall x 24 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

16 of 16

Shasta Daisy

It's hard to top the simple beauty of Shasta daisies (Leucanthemum × superbum). These cheerful, whimsical blooms will easily fill a bed or corner of your garden during their summer blooming season. The best part? They remain prolific even during times of drought.