From sun-baked borders to pots on the patio, these plants keep going when others give up!
We’re enjoying some truly beautiful spring weather right now – the kind that lifts the spirits and makes you itch to get outside and plant something. After what’s felt like a long, soggy autumn and a chilly winter, it’s a joy to finally feel some warmth on your back and see the garden bursting into life. It’s a great time to be outside, whether you’re pottering about with a cuppa or getting stuck into some serious planting. But with the sunshine comes a fair question – how much watering is all this going to take?
That’s where drought-tolerant plants come into their own. Now, when we say “drought-tolerant”, we don’t mean plants that can go completely without water, especially not when they’re newly planted – but once they’re established, they cope brilliantly with dry spells. They don’t demand constant watering, they’re tough, and they thrive in well-drained soils and sunny spots. For gardeners looking to save water, time, or simply grow smarter, these are the perfect companions. And as it happens, we’ve got some absolute corkers to recommend…
This is one of our favourite succulents for sheer impact with next to no effort. Sempervivum ‘Gold Nugget’ is as tough as old boots and looks like it’s been hand-painted by an artist. In spring, the rosettes start off gold with bright red tips, then shift to lime green in summer and deep crimson by winter – it’s like having four plants in one. Once established, it barely needs watering and will thrive in baking hot spots, rockeries, gravel beds, alpine troughs or even tucked into a wall crevice. It’s fully hardy, too – and each rosette multiplies, filling space and keeping weeds down. Brilliant in pots and a doddle to grow.
Lavender ‘Hidcote’ really is the Rolls Royce of English lavenders. Compact, beautifully scented, and utterly timeless, it’s a must-have for any sunny garden. The silver foliage and rich purple flower spikes don’t just look glorious, they also smell incredible – and they’re a magnet for bees and butterflies. Once it’s settled in, it becomes exceptionally drought tolerant, thriving in poor soil with hardly a drop of water. It’s brilliant for borders, path edges, knot gardens, and patio pots. And because it’s won the RHS Award of Garden Merit, you know it’s a solid performer. Prune it twice a year and it’ll reward you for decades.
Callistemon citrinus (Bottlebrush Plant)
Straight from the sunny shores of Australia, Callistemon – or Bottlebrush – adds a tropical vibe to the garden without needing tropical care. The fluffy red flowers are absolute showstoppers in late spring and summer, and the foliage releases a lemony scent when brushed. Once it’s had its first season and got its roots down, this plant becomes brilliantly drought tolerant. It loves a sunny, sheltered spot and can be grown in the ground or a large pot. In colder areas, give it a bit of protection in winter, or pop the pot into a porch or shed – it’ll bounce back beautifully.
If you’ve never grown a fig tree before, now’s the time. Fig ‘Brown Turkey’ is the one to go for – hardy, handsome, and incredibly productive. You’ll get big, juicy fruits in late summer to early autumn, and even when it’s not fruiting, the big, bold leaves look fantastic. Despite its Mediterranean origins, this fig can shrug off temperatures down to -15C and once established, is very drought tolerant. It’s superb in a large pot or grown in a sunny corner of the garden. Restrict the roots for more fruit and water it well in year one – after that, it pretty much looks after itself.
There’s something effortlessly elegant about Italian Cypress. These slender conifers shoot skywards like exclamation marks in the landscape – tall, neat, and architectural. Despite their classy looks, they’re not fussy at all. Once established, they’re extremely drought tolerant and fully hardy, making them a fantastic choice for UK gardens. Pop them in large pots to flank a doorway, line a path, or add instant vertical interest in a border. Just give them a sunny position, remove the cones as they form, and they’ll reward you with slow, steady growth and year-round structure. An easy way to add a bit of Tuscan flair to your plot.
You can’t beat an olive tree for Mediterranean charm – and luckily, they’re a lot tougher than they look. These slow-growing, evergreen beauties are ideal for pots and patios and thrive in sunny, free-draining spots. Although they prefer warm, dry summers, they’ll tolerate temperatures down to around -8C with a little protection. Once settled in, olives are very drought tolerant and incredibly low maintenance. A quick prune to keep their shape and they’re good to go. They might even produce fruit in hot summers, but even without that, they bring structure, elegance, and a hint of holiday magic to any garden.
Pampas grass is back – and it’s bigger, bolder, and better than ever. These feathery giants are ideal for dry, sunny gardens, and they’re much tougher than they look. Our Ultimate Pampas Collection includes three different varieties – including the compact ‘Tiny Pampa’ for pots and smaller spaces. Once established, they sail through dry spells and need hardly any maintenance at all. Use them as dramatic backdrops, natural screens, or statement plants in borders and pots. They’ll provide movement, texture and elegance from late summer into winter – and they’re practically indestructible.
Fancy growing one of these drought tolerant plants in your garden? You can find them all and even more in our full range here!
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