10 Drought-Tolerant Plants That Love the Heat • Schisandra & Bergamot

When the summer heat rolls in, many plants begin to struggle—but not these sun-loving survivors. Drought-tolerant plants are ideal for dry climates or gardeners who don’t want to water every day.

They’re tough, beautiful, and often pollinator-friendly too. Here are 10 stunning plants that actually thrive in hot, dry weather.

Lavender

Lavender loves full sun and well-drained soil, making it ideal for dry gardens. Its fragrant purple blooms attract bees and butterflies while repelling deer and pests. Once established, it needs very little water.

Coneflower (Echinacea)

A cluster of pink echinacea flowers with orange centers and green leaves; a bee is perched on one of the blossoms. — Photo Credit: _Alicja_/Pixabay

This native wildflower handles heat like a pro and keeps blooming through the summer. Its daisy-like flowers come in a range of vibrant colors and attract pollinators. Coneflowers are low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established.

Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)

A bumblebee sits on a vibrant orange and yellow flower, surrounded by similar blooms, in a green garden setting. — Photo Credit: Nowaja/Pixabay

With fiery red and yellow petals, blanket flowers bring color to even the hottest, driest spots. They thrive in poor soil, tolerate drought, and bloom nonstop in full sun. These hardy perennials are perfect for low-water landscapes.

Sedum (Stonecrop)

Close-up of pale pink sedum flowers in bloom, with clusters of tiny petals and green stems, set against a blurred green background. — Photo Credit: zimt2003/Pixabay

Sedums are fleshy-leaved succulents that store water and laugh in the face of drought. They come in many shapes and sizes, from ground covers to upright varieties. Their star-shaped blooms add charm with zero fuss.

Russian Sage

A row of purple flowering plants lines a narrow, grassy path under an overcast sky. — Photo Credit: melsisley/Pixabay

Tall, airy, and covered in soft purple-blue flowers, Russian sage thrives in full sun and dry soil. Its silvery leaves are aromatic and deer-resistant. It adds height and movement to hot-weather borders.

Agave

Close-up of a green yucca plant against a blurred brown background. The leaves are long, narrow, and pointed, radiating from the top of the stem. — Photo Credit: pcjvdwiel/Pixabay

This sculptural succulent is a desert native that stores water in its thick, spiny leaves. Agave loves heat and sun and requires almost no maintenance. It's a dramatic focal point in xeriscaped gardens.

Yarrow

Yarrow produces flat-topped clusters of blooms in shades of white, yellow, pink, or red. It thrives in heat, poor soil, and dry conditions. Plus, it’s a favorite of pollinators and great for cutting gardens.

Salvia (Sage)

Purple lavender flowers in soft focus, illuminated by sunlight from the upper right corner, highlighting their vibrant color and details. — Photo Credit: jotoya/Pixabay

From ornamental to culinary types, salvias thrive in hot, sunny gardens with minimal watering. Their long-lasting blooms attract bees and hummingbirds all summer long. Many varieties are perennial in warmer zones.

Coreopsis (Tickseed)

Cluster of bright yellow flowers with jagged petals and red centers, set against green foliage. — Photo Credit: Christina & Peter/Pexels

Coreopsis is a sunny, cheerful bloomer that keeps going through summer’s worst heat. Its daisy-like flowers come in yellow, red, or bicolors. It’s drought-tolerant, easy to grow, and deer-resistant.

Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea thrives in extreme heat and sun, rewarding you with cascades of brilliant pink, purple, or orange bracts. It’s a vigorous grower that needs little water once established. Perfect for trellises, fences, or containers in warm zones.

These 10 heat-loving, drought-tolerant plants prove you don’t need constant watering to have a thriving, colorful garden. Pick a few that suit your space, and enjoy a lush landscape—even in the heat of summer!