Drought Tolerant Plants: Top 4 for Hot, Dry Weather

Blair Brown — Jun 23, 2022

Dealing with hot, dry conditions in your landscape? These can be detrimental to many plants, but luckily we have plenty of picks that will withstand the less-than-ideal weather conditions. Say goodbye to parched gardens because with our top drought tolerant plants, you'll have a thriving landscape look, even through tough weather.

Check out a few of our favorite heat-loving must-haves below!

1. Windmill Palm

One of the cold hardiest palms (and most drought-tolerant) on the market, the Windmill Palm Tree is a dream come true for those who want island-inspired looks in the toughest conditions.

Windmill Palm Tree

North to south, the Windmill is unbelievably low-maintenance and naturally pest resistant, too, for ultimate planting and care ease. This palm can get quite large, so if starting it off in a container, make sure to eventually plan to plant in ground in well-draining soil and full to partial sunlight.

Plus, this palm has the good looks to match its easy upkeep. Despite extreme weather conditions, the Windmill Palm has fresh, fan-like fronds that are arranged symmetrically with stunning green foliage.

2. Phenomenal™ Lavender

Phenomenal™ Lavender is tough and can survive in conditions that other lavender plants can't handle, like extreme heat and cold.

Phenomenal Lavender
This lavender grows extremely well in containers, too, and can be placed on your porch or patio, with purple blooms that shine and a compact size that's totally versatile. So, effortless vibrancy is synonymous with this plant, living up to its 'phenomenal' name!

This lavender will do best in well-draining soil in a full sun location that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.

3. Drought Tolerant Evergreen

You know that if "drought tolerant" is in the very name, it's got to be a key element of the plant! The Drought Tolerant Evergreen Tree thrives on neglect, forming a thick privacy screen despite tough conditions. Plus, it's adaptable to various soil types and is actually the most drought tolerant of any evergreen on the market.

Drought-Tolerant Evergreen Tree

Also known as the Blue Sapphire Cypress or Arizona Cypress, this hardy tree stands up to the extreme weather conditions that damage and even kill other varieties, making it extra special. 

This evergreen prefers a planting site with full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. Choose an area with soil that drains well, away from poorly-drained, soggy areas.

4. Enduring Summer Crape Myrtle

It's small in size, but its color is huge - the Enduring Summer Crape Myrtle, named for its consistent color and full growth, boasts clusters of vibrant red blooms that last from the summer all the way into the fall.

Enduring Summer Crape Myrtle


So, you get rich blooms for four months and high drought tolerance and heat resistance. This crape myrtle endures everything that hot and dry summers have to throw at it. Even better? It resists the molds and mildews that harm other trees in hot, humid conditions.

For optimal blooming and performance, plant your Enduring Summer Crape Myrtle in full sun (6-8 hours of sun per day) and in soil that has good drainage.

drought tolerant plants

Persuaded to try out some of these drought tolerant favorites for yourself? It's time to elevate your garden with the carefree, easy-growing nature of these special varieties. Now, your landscape will be set to not only survive but thrive through hot, humid seasons.

Don't forget to check out the rest of our impressive drought tolerant plants!

Blair Brown

Blair is the Content Marketing Manager at FastGrowingTrees.com, and though she's not your traditional gardener, the planting world is definitely growing on her (pun intended!). She's enjoyed digging into plant care and maintenance and growing her plant collection, especially with exotic indoor varieties.

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