Charleston has been hot and humid for weeks, but it is officially summer now! The start of the new season means school is out, vacation time is just around the corner, and your plants are probably struggling in this hot weather. One way to ensure your window baskets, containers, or plantings look good during the summer is by utilizing drought tolerant plants! Drought tolerance is the ability by which a plant maintains its biomass production during arid or drought conditions. Essentially, it's a plant's ability to survive during drought!
All plants require water to become established which can take one to many seasons depending on the plant and its size. A plant is considered established when its root system is integrated with the soil and new above ground growth is visible. The plants listed below are considered drought tolerant once they are established!
Crape Myrtle Yaupon holly Juniper Chaste Tree (Vitex) Figs Pineapple Guava Aucuba Bottlebrush Nandina Fatsia Oleander Pittosporum Podocarpus Buddleja (Butterfly Bush) Forsythia Cross Vine Winter Jasmine Lady Banks’ Rose American Wisteria | Star Jasmine (Confederate Jasmine) Muhly Grass Liriope Mondo Grass Cast Iron Plant Creeping Fig Bear’s Breeches Agapanthus Worm Wood Cone Flower Gaura Red Hot Poker Lantana Russian Sage Mexican Petunia Lamb’s Ear Mexican Heather Cigar Plant Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) |
Other plants that are more commonly considered drought tolerant are native to dry/ desert areas and have adapted to very little water. When people think of drought tolerant plants they are probably imagining these plants! These full sun loving plants are perfect for people with inconsistent watering habits whether that is due to a brown thumb, no irrigation, long vacations, or maybe Charleston is their second home. Whatever the reason, adding some of the plants listed below will ensure something in your pots looks beautiful all season!
Sedum (lemon ball / jade runner)
Stonecrop
Hens & Chicks
Agave (ovatifolia / ocahui)
Cacti (prickly pear / peruvianus / pencil)
Succulents
Mezoo
Jewels of opar
Purslane or Portulaca
Yucca (Magenta Magic / Color Guard)
Aloe
To learn more about drought tolerant plants, head to “Plants That Tolerate Drought” from Clemson.
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