14 Drought-Tolerant Ground Covers Perfect for Drier Climates

If you live in a dry, sunny area where water is scarce, your garden doesn’t have to look bare or dusty. Drought-tolerant ground covers are your best friends — they conserve water, prevent soil erosion, and still bring color and texture to your outdoor space. These plants thrive where others struggle, making them perfect for low-maintenance, eco-friendly landscapes.

Quick Summary: What You’ll Learn
• The best drought-tolerant ground covers for hot and dry areas
• Which options work for sun, partial shade, or slopes
• How to plant and care for them with minimal watering
• A “Budget-Friendly Dry Garden Setup” at the end

Sedum (Stonecrop)

Sedum is a superstar in dry gardens. Its fleshy, water-storing leaves let it thrive in full sun and poor soil. It comes in many varieties — from low, spreading mats like Sedum spurium to upright forms like Autumn Joy — and bursts with star-shaped flowers that attract pollinators.

Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

This fragrant ground cover forms a soft carpet of tiny leaves and purple blooms. It loves full sun and can handle heat and dryness with ease. Bonus: When you step on it, it releases a lovely scent — perfect between pavers or along walkways.

Lantana (Lantana montevidensis)

Lantana adds cheerful color with clusters of purple, yellow, or orange flowers. Once established, it thrives with almost no watering. It’s great for sunny slopes and open garden beds, drawing in butterflies and bees all season long.

Ice Plant (Delosperma cooperi)

With its shimmering, daisy-like blooms and fleshy leaves, Ice Plant is both eye-catching and ultra-hardy. It thrives in poor, sandy soil and blooms all summer, adding bright pops of pink, purple, or yellow.

Silver Carpet (Dymondia margaretae)

This low-growing, silver-green ground cover is made for hot, dry climates. It tolerates foot traffic and works well as a lawn alternative. It’s perfect for Mediterranean or coastal gardens where rainfall is limited.

Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)

Creeping Phlox delivers colorful spring blooms and tolerates dry, rocky soil beautifully. It’s ideal for slopes, rock gardens, or sunny borders where it cascades over edges with ease.

Woolly Thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus)

A cousin of Creeping Thyme, Woolly Thyme forms a soft, fuzzy mat that’s both drought-tolerant and visually soothing. It’s perfect for small patches between stones, low borders, or dry, sunny hillsides.

Verbena (Verbena rigida)

Verbena offers clusters of vibrant purple or pink flowers that bloom all summer long. It loves heat and sun and handles drought exceptionally well, making it a favorite for pollinator gardens.

Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis)

Don’t let its delicate look fool you — Blue Star Creeper is tough. Its tiny blue blooms cover a dense mat of green leaves that tolerate heat and dryness. It’s also foot-tolerant, so you can use it as a lawn replacement.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Yarrow is one of the toughest perennials for dry soil. Its feathery leaves and flat-topped flowers add soft texture and rustic beauty. It’s ideal for cottage-style or meadow gardens that need long-lasting color with little care.

Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)

Known for its velvety, silver leaves, Lamb’s Ear loves dry, sunny spots. It adds a soft, soothing texture to gardens and pairs beautifully with rocks and drought-hardy succulents.

California Fescue (Festuca californica)

This ornamental grass brings movement and grace to dry gardens. It thrives in poor soil and handles heat well. Use it to fill gaps between succulents or to soften hard-scape edges naturally.

Portulaca (Moss Rose)

Moss Rose thrives in scorching sun and sandy soil. Its bright, rose-like flowers open each morning, bringing cheerful color even in extreme heat. It’s great for containers, borders, or dry garden beds.

Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)

Creeping Juniper is an evergreen favorite for dry slopes. Its needle-like foliage stays lush all year and prevents erosion beautifully. It’s a top choice for large, open spaces that need coverage without frequent watering.

Budget-Friendly Dry Garden Setup

You can build a lush, water-wise garden without spending much. Here’s how:

1. Start with Native Plants
Choose varieties that naturally grow in your region — they’ll need less water and care. Local nurseries often sell native starters for under $5 each.

2. Use Gravel or Pebble Mulch
Instead of traditional mulch, use small stones or gravel to lock in moisture and give a clean, modern look.

3. Water Deeply, Not Often
Water once a week but deeply, encouraging roots to grow downward for drought resistance.

4. Group by Water Needs
Plant thirsty species together and hardy ones separately — this reduces waste and saves on irrigation time.

5. Add Succulents for Contrast
Mix low-growing succulents like Sedum or Ice Plant between taller grasses or flowering ground covers for a layered, modern effect.

Quick Recap: Top Picks for Drier Climates
• Best for full sun: Ice Plant, Creeping Thyme, Yarrow
• Best for slopes: Creeping Juniper, Creeping Phlox
• Best for color: Verbena, Lantana, Portulaca
• Low-cost options: Silver Carpet, Woolly Thyme

Drought-tolerant ground covers prove that water-wise gardening can be both beautiful and practical. With just a few hardy plants and smart watering habits, you can create a stunning, low-maintenance landscape that stays green — even through the driest months