TOP PICKS 10 Drought-Tolerant Plants for a Water-Wise Garden

If you’ve found yourself watering more than anticipated in the last several years, you’re not alone. With longer periods between rainfalls in many parts of the country, plants (and gardeners!) suffer. But with watering restrictions in many communities, the answer isn’t always to simply grab the hose. And who really wants to do that anyway? Using mulch and watering infrequently but deeply to encourage roots to stretch deeper into the soil are two things you can do to help. But growing plants that don’t need as much water is probably the best long-term fix.

How do you know if a plant will be drought tolerant? There are a few telltale signs. First, fleshy foliage, like that of succulents and cactus, stores water for times when it isn’t available in the soil. Second, waxy leaf surfaces cut down on water loss and reflect heat away from the plant. Third, small thin leaves help reduce surface area, where water loss occurs. Fourth, tiny hairs, or trichomes, help protect plants from intense light and temperature. And finally, thick, fleshy rhizomes and deep tap roots store moisture and nutrients for dry times.

Here are 10 plants that won’t have you stretching the hose every time there’s a dry