10 Drought-tolerant plants for Southern California gardens November 24th, 2014 at 12:00 pm Tweet

Want a beautiful garden without an outrageous water bill? This list of drought resistant plants is sure to spruce up your yard area, help you conserve water and save money.

Did you know that fall is the perfect time to prepare your garden? If you’re not already establishing your drought-tolerant garden, learn why you should start now by reading this blog post on fall gardening. If you’re ready to start your garden, but don’t know what to plant, this post is for you. Below is our list of 10 drought-tolerant plants perfect for your California garden.

From flowers and trees to succulents and cacti, our list of 10 drought-resistant plants is perfect for your California garden.

Echinocactus grusoni

Native to Mexico, this desert cactus plant can survive the heat and requires minimal water. In the summer, small yellow flowers will sprout on top of the plant. This plant grows easily in soil with good drainage and can thrive in full sun (or partial shade if the planting location is extremely hot). The cactus will grow up to two feet tall.

Portulaca

With succulent-like leaves and flowers similar to those of a cactus, this plant grows in low clusters and thrives in hot and sunny weather. This plant will typically grow nearly half a foot and spread about 2 feet in diameter.

Sempervivum

This plant is native to Europe and grows in clumps. The plant is gray-green in color with pink-tipped rosettes. The sempervivum can withstand cold & windy conditions as well as drought conditions. However, take note that this plant needs dry conditions. Wet soil can cause the succulent to become waterlogged and die, making clay a good soil choice.

California poppy

What better way to celebrate the beautiful state of California than with the state flower? The California poppy thrives in sunlight. Poppies will bloom in spring and early summer, and become dormant during the if it is particularly hot. However, this plant does require moisture until germination.

Sedum spathulifolium

This low maintenance plant consists of small blue-green leaves, making it a great option for groundcover or as an alternative to lawn or turf. This shrub can grow in nearly any kind of terrain or weather, in fact, they are perfect to plant in an area that can’t seem to grow much else.

California fuchsia

The California fuschia comes in a variety of colors and grows best where there is extra moisture in the winter or spring. It will dry out during the warmer, drier months. This plant prefers the shade. Not only will this bloom add an abundance of beauty to your garden, but this plant is also known to attract hummingbirds!

Lavandula multifida

This sun-loving, sweet-smelling shrub is native to the Mediterranean and is great for groundcover. Violet blooms will appear in the spring. This lavender plant likes full sun and is very water efficient, and does not do well when over-watered.

Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’ As a low-growing stonecrop, Angelina only grows to be about four inches tall. It’s a low maintenance plant best used for ground cover.

Lewisia cotyledon

An evergreen perennial that blooms in several shades from white to magenta. The true species has candy-striped pink flowers. It’s incredibly easy to grow and blooms two to four times each year.

Dudleya cymosa

This succulent plant is also known as Canyon Live-Forever. It’s typically found in rockier areas at lower elevations.

Looking for a home to plant your perfect Southern California garden? One of our agents can help. Find a sales associate near you.