By choosing the best drought-resistant plants, you can create a low-maintenance garden that is still lush and full of life. Dry soils and full sunlight are challenging for some plants. But fortunately there is a wide range of varieties adapted to these conditions, which is becoming increasingly important as climate change leads to increasingly drier and hotter summers. Choosing drought-tolerant garden plants that require little water means you don't have to compromise on style or selection. You definitely don't have to forego the color, scent or effect of your flower beds.
Drought-tolerant garden plants with little water requirements
Of course, all plants need water to survive. However, some plants hardly require a constant supply of water to survive, which is why they are also called drought-tolerant plants. They belong to the category of plants that, thanks to their adaptations, can survive without water for months or even years when there is little rainfall. Due to the different weather conditions in different regions of the world, some plants have adapted to the harsh climatic conditions to thrive without water.
Climate change and global warming have also made plants much more tolerant as they have developed survival mechanisms,to survive drought. Some drought-tolerant garden plants can survive in areas with less than 10 inches of rain per year. The survival tactic of most drought-resistant plants is that some of them have developed thick leaves, while others have very thin and needle-shaped leaves to store water or reduce water loss. Most garden plants that require little water also have roots that reach great depths to access the water.
Hardy flowers that require little water: geraniums
The geranium is an amazingly drought-tolerant, long-lived perennial or flower known by its botanical namePelargonium. It also thrives in areas with very little rainfall and high heat, meaning it requires little watering. This plant produces oils that are used in aromatherapy and as skin care ingredients in the treatment of acne. Geranium oil has a sweet aroma that lifts your mood.
Evergreen shrubs that require little water – desert rose
The evergreen desert rose (Adenium) is a flowering plant native to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Since the plant is very heat and drought tolerant, it only needs to be watered occasionally. It can be grown as a houseplant or garden plant as it is relatively easy to care for andbrightly colored flowershas. This rose produces a sap that contains toxic cardiac glycosides that can be used as arrow poison when hunting.
Drought-tolerant garden plants: the perennial African lily
Tall African Lilies (Agapanthus) with their long, sturdy stems, large, spherical flower heads in purple, blue or white, and narrow, strap-shaped leaves add beauty to your garden from mid-summer to early fall. You can store them in a protected placein full sunPlant in the ground or put them in a pot to give your patio or balcony an eye-catching look.
It is definitely worth familiarizing yourself with the cultivation of African lilies, as these plants, which come from South Africa, are perennials that return year after year. Despite their exotic appearance, they are robust. You can leave them in a pot, go on vacation and they will still be blooming when you come back.
Easy care succulents – Aloe vera
Aloe vera is a succulent plant species originally from the Arabian Peninsula and has naturally survived in arid and semi-arid areas. It also thrives in tropical climates. The plant has thick and fleshy leaves that store water. Aloe vera thrives primarily in hot and dry areas, but can also survive in meadows and coastal regions. It is mainly grown for agricultural and medicinal purposes.
Due to its medicinal value, aloe vera is one of the best-known plants with low water requirements and is used as a main ingredient in various products such as body oils, hair shampoos, bath soaps, cleaning products and pharmaceutical gels. For example, studies have shown that aloe vera gel can help limit the growth of harmful bacteria on fruits and vegetables, reduce inflammation, and boost the body's immunity. It also aids in digestion by relieving constipation, prevents sunburn, and can heal wounds.
Drought-tolerant garden plants – the artichokes
A member of the thistle family, the artichoke thrives with light watering once fully grown and looks very attractive in the garden when its purple-blue flowers sprout.
Olive tree also needs little water
Drought-resistant plants often have gray or silvery-green leaves that reflect the sun's rays, and the olive tree is a classic example of this. These elegant evergreen plants from the Mediterranean exude holiday cheer in the summer and provide welcome structure in the colder months. Olive trees survive mild winters, but when temperatures drop below -10°C you need to consider how to protect the plants from winter by covering them with garden fleece.
