Outdoor Blog

Are you looking for low-maintenance outdoor plants to add to your landscape? Of course, having a beautiful garden is excellent, but having a beautiful landscape littered with plants that demand less of your time feels even better. 

Watering your plants might be a taxing exercise, especially if you have a tight schedule. That’s why I prefer having outdoor plants that don’t need much care.

That way, I can go about my daily activities without worrying about plants and only water them during my free time. Being this biased has made me gain immense knowledge of plants. So, let me share with you some of the best outdoor plants that require little water.

1. Aloe Vera; Outdoor Plants That Require Little Water

Aloe vera is succulent. Succulents have thick leaves that store water for themselves. It is, therefore, able to sustain itself throughout the dry seasons. However, too much watering of the aloe vera causes root rotting. So, this is one plant you can have in your garden without the stress of frequent watering. 

2. Sweet Potato Vine; Outdoor Plants That Require Little Water

It’s an ornamental plant that comes in different colors like black or chartreuse and different leaf shapes. It has a vining habit and can grow up to 10 feet long. Sweet potato vines are perfect for container gardening, and they can grow in any season, under direct sunlight.

3. Wild Lilac; Outdoor Plants That Require Little Water

Wild Lilac is a beautiful flowering shrub. They originated in the Eastern Europe region and Temperate Asia. If you read the wildflowers of California by Mary Elizabeth Parsons, you will see that wild lilac leaves produce lather and a pleasant fragrance used in soap. The wild lilac does well under direct sunlight and dry conditions. They generally don’t like water.

4. Lavender; Outdoor Plants That Require Little Water

The lavender, just like any other plant, needs regular watering after planting and up to the time it’s established, but that is as far as regular watering is required. Too much watering of the lavender leads to rotting. Lavender is a low-maintenance plant that is drought tolerant and requires minimal pruning.

5. Fountain Grass; Outdoor Plants That Require Little Water

Fountain grass is another drought-tolerant plant that won’t bother you with watering needs. It does well in well-drained fertile soils and direct sunlight. Fountain grass is also a low-maintenance plant because it does not need to be regularly fertilized. You only need to fertilize it when leaves indicate nutritional scarcity.

6. Agave; Outdoor Plants That Require Little Water

The agave plant, also known as the century plant, is a succulent with large leaves that store water. If watering is not your thing or you don’t have the time, the agave plant only needs to be watered twice a month. This plant loves direct sunlight and gritty soils. Let’s just say it loves it rough.

7. Lithops; Outdoor Plants That Require Little Water

Lithops, or in other words, the living stones, are beautiful outdoor plants that originated from South Africa. They need little care, minimal watering, and when split into two, they naturally multiply. Lithops don’t even need soil to grow. They can survive on a soilless medium. 

8. Jade Plant; Outdoor Plants That Require Little Water

Jade is also a Succulent that doesn’t thrive well in moist conditions. The jade plant needs watering once every three weeks but make sure the pot is dry because overwatering could ruin the plant. When you water, remember not to sprinkle water on the leaves. Jade also requires direct sunlight, so make sure you place your pot somewhere accessible to light.

9. Bougainvillea; Outdoor Plants That Require Little Water

The Bougainvillea is a thorny ornamental vine that spreads beautifully over walls with red flowers, creating an impressive look. Bougainvillea does not need frequent watering. Excessive watering could lead to root rot and the eventual death of the plant. The Bougainvillea could also make a great addition to your outdoor plants that will not bother you with watering. 

10. Rock Garden Plants; Outdoor Plants That Require Little Water

These exist in different types, and they only require well-drained dirt to grow, turning your rocky gardens into a beautiful yard of flowers. Examples include the Gentiana Septemfida, the ice plant, poached egg plant, euphorbia, alyssum, hens and chick, and my all-time favorite shrub, the Juniperus communis, among others. These plants are drought resistant, and they will grow against all odds.

11. New Zealand Tea Tree; Outdoor Plants That Require Little Water

The New Zealand tea tree is a shrub that has small prickly leaves. It does well on well-drained soil. You only need to water it once in a while when the soil around it is dry. The New Zealand tea tree also needs direct sunlight to blossom though it can tolerate a little shade. 

12. Rosemary Plant; Outdoor Plants That Require Little Water

Rosemary is widely known for its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory activities. In addition, the plant is drought-tolerant, and it thrives well in bright and sunny environments. Rosemary can grow about 4 feet tall and spread 4 feet, so it’s advisable to plant it in an area that allows room for growth, and soil has to be well-drained. 

13. Desert Rose; Outdoor Plants That Require Little Water

The plant is native to areas with hot, sunny climates and gritty poor soils. That means that they don’t need too much care. The plant will do just fine so long as you have it in well-drained soil. Make sure you plant it in a place where it’s well exposed to direct sunlight. 

14. Sago Palm; Outdoor Plants That Require Little Water

The Sago plant is an outdoor plant that can also bring beauty to your home as an indoor plant. It does not demand much from you as the gardener. All you need to keep in mind is that too much water will lead to root rot and the death of the plant. It also requires bright sunlight for healthy growth. 

15. Chihuahuan Sage; Outdoor Plants That Require Little Water

Chihuahuan sage is another outdoor plant that requires minimal watering and is known to attract hummingbirds. During summer, when it blossoms, it produces a beautiful bouquet of pale blue Lavender spikes with a pleasant fragrance. 

16. Chinese Evergreen; Outdoor Plants That Require Little Water

This outdoor plant is also known as aglaonema. In Asia, it is known as the luck-bringing ornamental plant. Its water demand is minimal. However, it needs to be watered once every ten days during summer and once in two weeks during winter. 

17. Succulents; Outdoor Plants That Require Little Water

Their thickened and fleshy leaves are known to retain water for the plant, lowering the need for frequent watering. In addition, their striking and unusual appearance favors their growth as ornamental plants that you can add to your collection of outdoor plants with minimal requirements for watering.

18. African Daisy; Outdoor Plants That Require Little Water

It’s also known as osteospermum, daisy bushes, or the African daisy. They can tolerate harsh conditions, and they do well in warm and sunny conditions. However, they are prone to root rot if subjected to frequent watering. 

19. Daylily; Outdoor Plants That Require Little Water

The Daylily is a drought-resistant plant nicknamed the perfect perennial by gardeners due to its bright colors. They survive in different soils and demand minimal care; hence, they can be a good choice when looking for plants that will not demand much of your time. 

20. Oleander; Outdoor Plants That Require Little Water

The oleander, also known as the Nerium, is an ornamental and landscaping plant. Nerium has toxic compounds and is considered a poisonous plant; however, it’s a beautiful outdoor plant that is drought resistant and can do well even under harsh conditions.

Here Are Some Gardening Tips for Beginners 

Know the exposure of your garden to sunlight

Most plants need at least 6 hours of exposure to direct sunlight for healthy growth. Some might do well even in minimal lighting, while others will demand to be under direct exposure to sunlight for the better part of the day. Therefore it’s advisable to know the requirements of each plant and place them where appropriate. 

Choose the right outdoor plants

When it comes to your choice of plants, it’s essential to pick the right Plants depending on your needs. Check the type of soil in your garden to determine whether it will favor the growth of the plants you choose and the demands the plants will have, for example, the frequency of watering. 

Soil testing

Some plants will do well in rich soil, while others will tolerate harsh, gritty soil. The best you can do is understand the soil type in your garden and pick your plants accordingly. Make sure you test your acidity and nutrients to give your plants the required nutrients for proper growth. 

Get the right gardening tools for outdoor plants

For the best gardening experience, you need to have the right tools for the job. A pair of gloves will protect your hands. Also, get pruning shears, a cultivator, and a trowel. These tools will make your work easier in caring for your plants.

Fertilize and water your plants as needed

It’s advisable to know the wagering requirements of every outdoor plant in your garden. While some plants may need frequent watering, others may rot and die due to too much watering. In addition, you need to know the right type and amount of fertilizer to apply. Too much fertilizer could be harmful as well.

What Is the Ideal Time to Water Your Garden? 

The ideal time to water your garden is in the morning. However, once you water in the morning, the plant foliage dries fast. When the plant foliage remains damp, the plants are prone to fungal infections. That’s why watering in the evening is not appropriate because the water takes longer to dry out. 

On the other hand, watering your outdoor plants during midday lets the water dry out quickly due to evaporation; hence the plants get minimal benefits. 

Remember to water your outdoor plants at the soil level. It ensures the soil is appropriately soaked, and hence it’s easy for the plant to take in the water. Additionally, it lowers the dampening of the plant foliage, which is hazardous for the overall well-being of the plants. 

How Do You Tell Your Outdoor Plants Are Not Healthy?

As the days go by, your plant’s health may deteriorate without your knowledge, especially with outdoor plants that require little water because they demand less of your attention. So here are some signs that should tell you if your plants are doing okay.

#1. Wilting leaves

Wilting leaves could be a sign of insufficient watering or toot rotting due to overwatering. Once you notice that your plant’s leaves are wilting, you need to check the soil moisture around the plant. If it’s well-watered, then the problem could be root rot. Next, you can remove the plant from the pot, keep it in hydrogen peroxide and prune off the affected parts. Then replant the plant in a new clean pot.

#2. Yellow leaves

Yellowing leaves could be caused by insufficient watering or overwatering. Alternatively, it could be due to excess exposure to light or the normal aging process of the leaves. If the young leaves are yellowing or if the process seems to be frequent, you need to check if the plant is appropriately hydrated or well exposed to sunlight.

#3. Browning tips of the leaves

Browning could be caused by applying excess fertilizer to your plants or watering soft water with high sodium and potassium content. It could also be due to inadequate humidity for those plants that do well in humid environments. Try moving your plant to a humid location and check that you apply the right amount of fertilizer to your plants.

#4. Changing the color

Your plant’s leaves change color due to a lack of enough nutrients in the soil. You can correct this by applying a solution of liquid fertilizer to your plants. In the warmer seasons, you can follow up with a light application of slow-release plant food. However, that might not be necessary during the winter.

Bottom-line

If you like to have a beautiful landscape, but you don’t like watering or have insufficient time, there is a wide range of outdoor plants requiring little water you can have in your garden. Most of these plants, some of which we have discussed above, are drought tolerant. However, some originate from dry regions and are well adapted to harsh climatic conditions and poor soil. As a result, their growth is suppressed when you plant them on rich soil and water frequently.

To get a satisfying gardening experience, you need to choose the right plants for your landscape. First, understand the exposure of your garden to sunlight. That will help you understand how to distribute your plants according to their light requirements.

Get the right tools for gardening to ease your work, and It’s advisable to test your soil for acidity and nutrients. When needed, fertilize your plants as needed to avoid malnutrition. Additionally, remember excess watering could lead to root rotting and the eventual death of your plants. Finally, get the proper water requirements for your plant so that you can water them appropriately.

Plant leaves change color as a sign that something is not right.

For example, when leaves turn brown at the tips, it’s a sign that you applied excess fertilizer to your plants. Yellowing could be a sign of overwatering, underwatering, or excess exposure to sunlight. 

The best time to water your outdoor plants is early morning because the plant foliage dries off fast. Dampness can encourage the growth of fungal infections in your plants. Also, ensure that you water your plants at the soil level to ensure the soil is properly soaked and avoid dampening of the leaves. 

The 20 types of outdoor plants discussed above will give you an easy time because they are less demanding. However, if you need more help with your gardening, don’t hesitate to ask for help or research.