Xeriscaping is a sustainable landscaping method that reduces the need for irrigation by utilizing drought-tolerant plants. It is especially beneficial in arid and semi-arid regions, but it can also be implemented in various climates to conserve water and create beautiful, low-maintenance gardens. The key to a successful xeriscape is selecting plants that are well-adapted to the local climate.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines garden hardiness zones based on average annual minimum winter temperatures. These zones help gardeners and landscapers determine which plants will thrive in specific regions. Below is a detailed guide to the best xeriscaping plants for each USDA hardiness zone.
Xeriscaping Plants by USDA Hardiness Zone
Zone 3 (Minimum Temperature: -40°F to -30°F)
Zone 3 is one of the coldest gardening zones in the U.S., covering parts of the northern Midwest and interior mountain regions. Plants here must withstand extreme cold and short growing seasons.
Best Xeriscaping Plants for Zone 3:
- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – A hardy perennial with feathery foliage and bright flower clusters. It thrives in dry soil and attracts pollinators.
- Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) – A cold-hardy, drought-tolerant plant with silvery foliage and lavender-colored flowers that bloom in late summer.
- Blanket Flower (Gaillardia) – Known for its vibrant red and yellow flowers, this plant thrives in poor, dry soils and blooms throughout the summer.
- Prairie Coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) – A tough perennial with distinctive drooping petals, ideal for xeriscaping in cold regions.
- Stonecrop (Sedum spp.) – This succulent plant is excellent for dry landscapes and provides ground cover with colorful foliage and flowers.
Zone 4 (Minimum Temperature: -30°F to -20°F)
Zone 4 includes parts of the upper Midwest and interior mountainous regions. Cold-hardy perennials and drought-resistant native species thrive here.
Best Xeriscaping Plants for Zone 4:
- Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) – A tough and drought-tolerant wildflower that produces large, purple-petaled blooms.
- Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) – A native milkweed that attracts butterflies and thrives in dry soils.
- Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) – A native prairie grass that adds texture and height to xeriscaped gardens.
- Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) – A resilient wildflower with golden-yellow petals and dark centers.
- Pasque Flower (Pulsatilla patens) – A drought-resistant perennial that produces early spring blooms in shades of purple and blue.
Zone 5 (Minimum Temperature: -20°F to -10°F)
Zone 5 covers much of the Midwest and parts of the Northeast. Many native prairie and woodland plants are well-suited for xeriscaping in this region.
Best Xeriscaping Plants for Zone 5:
- Blue Grama Grass (Bouteloua gracilis) – A native grass that provides low-maintenance ground cover.
- Daylilies (Hemerocallis) – Hardy perennials that tolerate drought and come in a variety of colors.
- Liatris (Liatris spicata) – A striking vertical plant with spiky purple flowers that attract pollinators.
- Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) – A cheerful, drought-resistant flower with yellow daisy-like blooms.
- Penstemon (Penstemon digitalis) – A native wildflower that thrives in dry soils and produces tubular flowers.
Zone 6 (Minimum Temperature: -10°F to 0°F)
Zone 6 includes parts of the Midwest, Northeast, and interior West. Drought-tolerant perennials and ornamental grasses thrive in this region.
Best Xeriscaping Plants for Zone 6:
- Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) – A native prairie grass with blue-green foliage that turns reddish in fall.
- Salvia (Salvia nemorosa) – A drought-resistant perennial with spikes of purple or blue flowers.
- Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ (Sedum spectabile) – A succulent perennial that blooms in late summer.
- Missouri Evening Primrose (Oenothera macrocarpa) – A drought-tolerant wildflower with large yellow blooms.
- Yucca (Yucca filamentosa) – A hardy, drought-resistant plant with spiky leaves and tall flower stalks.
Zone 7 (Minimum Temperature: 0°F to 10°F)
Zone 7 includes parts of the Southeast, lower Midwest, and Pacific Northwest. A mix of succulents, perennials, and native shrubs work well for xeriscaping.
Best Xeriscaping Plants for Zone 7:
- Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora) – A drought-resistant plant with long, narrow leaves and coral-red flower spikes.
- Lantana (Lantana camara) – A heat- and drought-tolerant shrub that produces colorful clusters of flowers.
- Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens) – A drought-resistant shrub with silver foliage and purple flowers.
- Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) – A hardy tree that thrives in dry conditions and provides habitat for birds.
- Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii) – A xeric perennial that produces red, pink, or white flowers.
Zone 8 (Minimum Temperature: 10°F to 20°F)
Zone 8 covers much of the southern U.S. and parts of the West Coast. Many desert and Mediterranean plants thrive here.
Best Xeriscaping Plants for Zone 8:
- Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis) – A small tree with pink, trumpet-shaped flowers that thrives in dry conditions.
- Agave (Agave americana) – A striking succulent with rosettes of spiky leaves.
- Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella tenuissima) – An ornamental grass with delicate, wispy foliage.
- Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia gilliesii) – A drought-resistant shrub with striking yellow and red flowers.
- Oleander (Nerium oleander) – A hardy shrub that tolerates heat and drought.
Zone 9 (Minimum Temperature: 20°F to 30°F)
Zone 9 includes parts of California, Texas, and Florida. Heat-tolerant succulents, grasses, and shrubs work well here.
Best Xeriscaping Plants for Zone 9:
- Cactus Varieties (Opuntia, Echinocactus, Ferocactus) – Hardy desert plants with unique forms.
- Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea glabra) – A drought-resistant vine with vibrant flowers.
- Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) – A fragrant, drought-tolerant perennial.
- Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos) – A unique Australian native that thrives in dry conditions.
- Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora) – A drought-resistant shrub with fragrant purple flowers.
Zone 10+ (Minimum Temperature: 30°F and above)
Zones 10+ cover subtropical and tropical regions such as southern Florida, southern Texas, and coastal California.
Best Xeriscaping Plants for Zone 10+:
- Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) – A drought-resistant succulent with medicinal properties.
- Plumeria (Plumeria rubra) – A tropical plant with fragrant flowers.
- Pineapple Guava (Acca sellowiana) – A fruit-bearing shrub that tolerates drought.
- Cordyline (Cordyline fruticosa) – A tropical plant with colorful foliage.
- Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) – A vibrant flowering shrub that thrives in warm climates.
By selecting plants suited to your USDA hardiness zone, you can create a stunning xeriscape garden that conserves water while thriving in your local climate.
