All plants need water to survive.
However, some plants are able to grow without needing a lot of water.
These plants are ideal for dry regions or in case of prolonged drought.
They can live untended for quite a while. Handy, isn't it?
Often these are Mediterranean plants that live without watering. But not only.
Here is our selection of the 24 most resistant and plants that can live without water...or almost. Watch:
The agave stores water in its thick foliage. It collects water through its deep roots. The sheet has sharp edges and a special look. These plants tolerate heat and drought and require little soil grow in stones. That's why landscapers often use it to decorate gardens... And of course for its drought-resistant properties.
The fragrant bougainvillea is the champion when it comes to resistance to drought, without watering. It is a very robust shrub that thrives in extreme conditions and on poor soils. In addition, it is very easy to grow. With its incredible colors, it is the king of gardens and terraces. These drought-tolerant summer flowers provide valuable shade. These shrubs are found everywhere on the Côte d'Azur.
Among the plants requiring little water, there is purslane. It is a small plant with colorful drought tolerant flowers. It thrives in poor, dry soil. Due to its thick succulent leaves, purslane can survive for a long time without water. And it is a plant that stays small and needs heat to grow.
The lithops is a fatty plant also called "living stones" or "plant-pebble". They are ideal rockery flowers. They are an easy plant to keep. As they grow in gravel, they are ideal rock garden flowers. And it does not require much care or water. They can also be grown indoors or in a planter.
The gaillardia is a covering flower, economical in water, which grows quickly and well. It does not require any particular attention. Anyone can make it bloom profusely... Even weekend gardeners. All it needs is a sunny spot and some water. It blooms all summer and also in the fall. On the other hand, be aware that it fears frost unlike those which flower even in winter.
Among the plants that require little water, we find verbena. Verbena is an excellent groundcover that spreads quickly. It needs high temperatures and little water. It is found in several bright colors. It flowers in clusters from spring to fall and all year round in warm climates. But there too she fears the cold. It needs lots of sun and well-drained soil.
Lantana is a hardy tropical plant grown for its fragrant, colorful flowers. It blooms throughout spring and summer in warm regions. The lantana has round and very colorful flowers. It likes heat and drought. It is an undemanding plant that can be grown in any type of soil. These flowers attract butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. It can also be grown in pots and placed in planters on the terrace or balcony in full sun.
These flowering plants are superb. They are known for their beautiful colors and fragrance. Wallflowers are short-lived perennials, annuals (in cooler regions) or biennials. They are drought resistant. And they only require occasional watering. The flowers appear in spring and summer in clusters. Put them in a sunny or partially shaded spot.
Which shrub to put in full sun? Laurel ! It is a tropical shrub that flowers enormously. It produces beautiful, fragrant flowers in different colors, such as yellow, pink, red, white or purple. It is known to adapt well to hot and dry climates. And it grows very well in coastal areas. It prefers full sun, but tolerates a few hours of shade. It can easily be made into a hedge with little or no maintenance.
It is a good semi-evergreen cover that flowers in summer. They make very pretty bushes. This shrub is native to the mountainous regions of southern Europe. It is relatively resistant to cold. On the other hand, this plant does not support prolonged freezing. In mass, it is magnificent. Grow this plant if you don't have time to tend to your beds. It likes poor soils, does not require watering or fertilizers.
This drought-tolerant, perennial green plant is renowned for its aromatic flavor. The best time to plant it is when the weather starts to warm up after the frost. It loves the sun and has low watering needs. Too much water could even kill it quickly. It is one of the hardy Mediterranean plants.
Thanks to their bright colors, poppies look beautiful in a garden or patio. To grow poppies, all you need is ample exposure to sunlight...and moderate watering. These flowers are not afraid of heat.
This shrub has pretty yellow flowers that bloom in late spring. It is an anti-drought plant! It has gray-green foliage, needs drained soil and especially full sun.
Known for its drought resistance, it only needs watering once a week in spring and summer and once in a while in winter. This plant grows well in all types of soil and loves the sun. There are many varieties of sedums. But none are very demanding. You can choose different colors of foliage or flowers.
Also known as "Adenium", this plant is a tropical succulent that does not require a lot of water. A water-guzzling fear, it needs plenty of sun and heat to thrive. It is also sometimes seen as a houseplant in cooler climates.
It is a beautiful perennial known for its fragrant flowers. It does not require special care:easy to grow, tolerant of heat and drought. You can also plant lavender in a well-drained pot. It is a plant that does not water or very skin. Because she hates excess water.
Called "Rock Daisy" by English speakers, they are aptly named because they love rocky soils. These flowering plants (Pachystegia) thrive perfectly without care and water.
Once established, roundhead thistles are drought tolerant. They are probably the hardiest perennials in your garden. The thistle does not die... Or almost! Their flowers are magnificent, of an extraordinary blue-violet. And they last from summer to early fall.
The garden cockroach, also called Lychnis, is very resistant to drought. It is very easy to cultivate. This plant is also admired for its silver-green foliage. It can survive without water... Or with a very sparse watering in periods of full heat.
This drought-tolerant plant has large, round clusters of flowers that appear in late spring. It also has fleshy blue-green foliage. Once established, valerian does not need frequent watering and is undemanding.
These plants are found in all regions of the world in different varieties and different colors. They easily tolerate water shortage. And they do not require special attention. They can be ephemeral or annual perennials.
Russian sage is truly admirable with its silvery foliage and beautiful lavender-colored flowers. This plant is also called "lavender of Afghanistan". It is drought resistant. And it should be planted in a sunny, well-drained position.
Yarrow has tiny flowers and decorative fern-like foliage. It does not require any particular maintenance. And it adapts rather well to borders, rocky massifs or even in the open field. It just needs sun. Choose a well-drained clay soil and a temperate climate.
Not only do cacti and succulents have low water needs... But in addition, there is no need to maintain them. In a nutshell, they are easy to grow. During periods of drought, these plants shrink and use up their water supply. There are many varieties of cacti and plants. All you have to do is choose :-)