Drought tolerant, low maintenance
Drought tolerant plants in this group will need watering weekly in dry weather for the first year or two while they grow deep roots. After that, they'll generally be happy with 2-4 weeks without water. ; Top tip: Climate change is making our summers drier, so dig in organic matter (compost or soil improvers) to improve soil structure and water retention capability. Also, collect rainwater by installing water butts.
Best plants for drought
461 plants
Drought, low maintenance climbers
68 plants
Drought, low maintenance containers
600 plants
Drought, low maintenance in shade
368 plants
Drought, low maintenance in sun
1470 plants
Drought, low maintenance trees & conifers
192 plants
Drought tolerant roses
64 plants
Shady border, drought collection
153 plants
Sunny border, drought collection
249 plants
All plants (2388)
Helianthemum 'Ben More'
Common sun rose, Rock rose
Helianthemum 'Henfield Brilliant'
Rock rose
Helianthemum 'The Bride'
Rock rose
Hemerocallis 'Crimson Pirate'
Daylily
Hemerocallis 'Stella de Oro'
Day lily
Heuchera 'Frosted Violet Dream'
Coral bells, Alumroot
Heuchera americana
Rock geranium, Satin leaf, American alum root
Hydrangea
Hypericum x hidcoteense 'Hidcote'
St John's wort, St Peter's wort
Ilex
Holly
Ilex aquifolium
Common holly, English holly, Hulver bush
Ilex aquifolium 'Argentea Marginata'
Silver-margined holly, Broad leaved silver holly
Ilex aquifolium 'Ferox Argentea'
Silver hedging holly, Hedgehog holly
Ilex aquifolium 'J.C. Van Tol'
Common holly, English holly, Hulver bush
Ilex aquifolium 'Silver Queen'
Common holly, English holly, Hulver bush
Iris
Jasminum nudiflorum
Winter jasmine
Jasminum officinale
Common jasmine, Poet's jasmine, Common white jasmine
Jasminum officinale f. affine
Common jasmine, Poet's jasmine, Common white jasmine
Kerria japonica 'Pleniflora'
Japanese rose, Jew's mallow
Kniphofia
Red hot poker
Kniphofia 'Lemon Popsicle'
Red hot poker
Kniphofia 'Mango Popsicle'
Red hot poker
Kniphofia 'Nancy's Red'
Red hot poker
Kniphofia 'Papaya Popsicle'
Red hot poker
Kniphofia 'Redhot Popsicle'
Red hot poker
Lavandula
Lavender
Lavandula 'Regal Splendour'
French lavender, Butterfly lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
English lavender, True lavender, Common lavender
Lavandula angustifolia 'Arctic Snow'
True lavender, Old English lavender, Common lavender
Lavandula angustifolia 'Essence Purple'
Lavender, Old English lavender
Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote'
True lavender, Old English lavender, Common lavender
Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead'
True lavender, Old English lavender, Common lavender
Lavandula aristibracteata 'Blue Star'
Bristle-bracted lavender
Lavandula stoechas
French lavender, Butterfly lavender
Lavandula stoechas 'Anouk'
French lavender, Butterfly lavender
Lavandula stoechas 'Dark Royalty'
French lavender, Butterfly lavender
Lavandula stoechas 'Papillon'
Lavender, French lavender
Lavandula stoechas Great Adventure = 'Agri811'
French lavender, Butterfly lavender
Lavandula stoechas Lilac Wings = 'Prolil'
French lavender, Butterfly lavender
Lavandula stoechas subsp. stoechas f. leucantha 'Snowman'
French lavender, Butterfly lavender
Lavandula Tiara = 'Fair 10'
Lavender
Lavandula x chaytoriae 'Sawyers'
Lavender
Liatris
Gay feather, Blazing star, Button snake root
Liatris spicata
Spike gayfeather, Dense blazing star
Liatris spicata 'Kobold'
Spike Gayfeather, Dense blazing Star
Liriope muscari
Big blue lily turf, Southern lilyturf, Blue lilyturf
Liriope muscari 'Moneymaker'
Lily turf