Plants for Arid Climates or Dry Soil Conditions

Plants adapted to dry conditions have developed numerous mechanisms for reducing water loss, including narrow leaves, hairy leaves, and thick fleshy stems and leaves. Trees such as pines, hemlocks, and junipers are also well adapted to survive extended periods of dry conditions which they encounter each winter when the frozen soil prevents the uptake of water. Cacti, with leaves reduced to spines and having thick stems, are the best example of plants well adapted to extremely dry environments.

You are not limited to cacti, succulents, or narrow leafed evergreens when selecting plants adapted to low moisture requirements. Many plants growing in humid environments are well adapted to low levels of soil moisture. Numerous plants found growing in coastal or mountainous regions have developed mechanisms for dealing with extremely sandy, excessively well-drained soils, or rocky cold soils in which moisture is limited for months at a time.

The following plants are adapted to sunny, dry conditions:

• Yucca gloriosa
  
• Broom (Cytisus spp.)
  
• Yarrow (Achillea spp.)
  
• Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
  
• California poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
  
• Blanket flower (Gailardia spp.)
  
• Sedum spp.
  
• Gold dust (Alyssum saxatile)
  
• Moss rose (Portulaca grandiflora)
  
• Juniper (Juniperus spp.)
  
• Artemisia spp.
  
• Lavender (Lavendula spp.)
  
• Sage (Salvia spp.)
  
• Iris spp.
  
• Thyme spp.
  
• Crocus spp.
  
• Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis)
  

Indigenous plants - plants that occur naturally in the local environment - will likely need less supplemental moisture most years than non-native species. These species have evolved under the local conditions and usually have well-developed mechanisms for surviving extremes in the weather.

Source:
U.S. Department of Agriculture