Low-Water/Drought-Resistant Plants

Using low-water and drought-resistant plants can significantly reduce your outdoor water usage. The plants listed below are appropriate for California's climate and use less water than what you may already have in your garden.

This list is a good representation of low-water consuming plants that are easily available. Check with your local nursery for their suggestions about what is best suited to your area.

Perennials, Shrubs, and Ornamental Grasses

Agave species (Agave)
Alyogyne huegelii (Blue Hibiscus)
Arctostaphylos species (Manzanita)
Artemisia species (Sagebrush)
Ceanothus species (California Lilac)
Chamelaucium uncinatum (Geraldton Waxflower)
Cistus species (Rockrose)
Dudleya species (Live Forever)
Echeveria species (Hens-and-Chickens)
Encelia californica (California Encelia)
Galvezia speciosa (Island Bush Snapdragon)
Grevillea species (Grevillea)
Heteromeles arbutifolia (Toyon)
Lavandula species (Lavender)
Leucophyllum species (Texas Ranger)
Lobelia laxiflora (Mexican Bush Lobelia)
Mahonia nevinii (Nevin's Barberry)
Melalueca nesophila (Pink Melaleuca)
Myrtus communis (Common Myrtle)
Nassella species (Needlegrass)
Penstemon species (Penstemon)
Rhus species (Sumac)
Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary)
Salvia, selected species (Sage)
Sisyrinchium bellum (Blue-Eyed Grass)
Tapetes lemmonii (Copper Canyon Daisy)
Verbena, selected species (Verbena)

Trees

Arbutus unedo (Strawberry Tree)
Chitalpa tashkentensis (Chitalpa)
Geijera parviflora (Australian Willow)
Laurus nobilis (Sweet Bay)
Olea europaea ‘Swan Hill' (Swan Hill Olive)
Pinus eldarica (Afghan Pine)
Prosopsis chilensis (Chilean Mesquite)
Quercus agrifolia (Coast Live Oak)
Rhus lancea (African Sumac)

Vines

Bougainvillea species (Bougainvillea)
Macfadyena unguis-cati (Cat's Claw)
Vitis californica (California Wild Grape)

Turf

Buchloe dactyloides (Buffalograss)
Cynodon dactylon (Hybrid Bermudagrass)
Zoysia ‘Victoria' (Victoria Zoysiagrass)

Ground Cover

Acacia redolens ‘Desert Carpet'
(Dwarf Prostrate Acacia)
Achillea species (Yarrow)
Baccharis species (Coyote Brush)
Cotoneaster dammeri (Bearberry Cotoneaster)
Lampranthus species (Ice Plant)
Lantana montevidensis (Trailing Lantana)
Myoporum parvifolium (Myoporum)
Sedum species (Stonecrop)