Between water restrictions, scorching summers, and simply not having the time to stand around with a hose every evening, more and more Aussie and Kiwi gardeners are looking for plants that thrive on neglect rather than demand constant attention. The good news is that "drought-tolerant" doesn't mean "boring" — there's a huge range of striking, colourful, textural plants that will shrug off dry spells while still looking fantastic.
Whether you're redesigning a whole garden bed or just want to fill a hot, exposed corner that nothing else has survived, here are ten reliable drought-tolerant plants to get you started.
1. Lavender
A garden classic for good reason. Lavender loves full sun, free-draining soil, and being left alone once established. Its silvery foliage and fragrant purple blooms attract bees and butterflies, and a light trim after flowering keeps it neat and bushy for years.
2. Grevillea
A true-blue Australian native, grevilleas come in everything from groundcovers to small trees, with spidery or toothbrush-shaped flowers in red, orange, pink, and yellow. Once established, most varieties need very little supplementary water and reward you with flowers almost year-round, which local birds absolutely love.
3. Westringia (Coast Rosemary)
Don't let the name fool you — Westringia isn't a true rosemary, but it shares that tough, salt- and wind-tolerant nature. With soft grey-green foliage and small white, purple, or blue flowers, it clips beautifully into hedges or balls, making it a favourite for low-maintenance formal gardens.
4. Agave
For serious drama with almost zero water, it's hard to go past agave. These architectural succulents store water in their thick, fleshy leaves and can go weeks without a drink. They're a striking feature in pots or gravel gardens, though most varieties do have sharp leaf tips, so keep them clear of high-traffic areas.
5. Correa
Australian native correas are one of the best-kept secrets for shaded, dry spots — most varieties tolerate part shade as well as full sun. Their dainty, bell-shaped flowers appear through autumn and winter when little else is in bloom, providing a valuable nectar source for native birds in the cooler months.
6. Kangaroo Paw
Instantly recognisable by its fuzzy, paw-shaped flower spikes, kangaroo paw is a striking, drought-hardy native once established. It loves full sun and free-draining soil, and looks fantastic massed in garden beds or as a bold vertical accent among lower-growing plants.
7. Rosemary
A kitchen herb that doubles as a tough, drought-tolerant garden staple. Rosemary handles poor soil, full sun, and long dry spells with ease, and its fragrant foliage and small blue flowers make it as ornamental as it is useful at dinner time.
8. Salvia
With hundreds of varieties available in a huge range of colours, salvias are a drought-tolerant gardener's best friend for long-lasting colour. Most varieties flower for months on end, attracting bees and butterflies, and respond well to a hard prune to encourage fresh growth.
9. Bougainvillea
For a real splash of colour in a hot, dry position, bougainvillea is hard to beat. This vigorous climber produces masses of vibrant papery bracts through the warmer months and, once established, is remarkably drought-tolerant, making it perfect for fences, pergolas, and sunny walls.
10. Sedum (Stonecrop)
Low-growing and ground-hugging, sedums are succulents that store water in their fleshy leaves, making them nearly indestructible in a dry garden. They're brilliant as a border plant, rockery filler, or spilling over the edge of a retaining wall, and many varieties flower in late summer.
Tips for a Thriving Low-Maintenance Garden
- Group plants by water needs so you're not overwatering your drought-tolerant varieties to keep thirstier neighbours happy
- Mulch generously to lock in soil moisture and suppress weeds
- Water deeply but infrequently while plants are establishing, to encourage deep root growth
- Improve drainage in heavy clay soils, as most drought-tolerant plants hate sitting in wet feet over winter
Ready to Go Low-Maintenance?
A drought-tolerant garden doesn't mean sacrificing colour, texture, or interest — it just means choosing the right plants for your climate from the start. With a bit of thought at planting time, you can enjoy a garden that looks after itself, even through the driest summer.
Pop into your local Gro garden centre to see our full range of drought-tolerant natives and exotics in person — see you in store!