Pet Friendly Outdoor Landscape Plants That Need The Least Amount of Water
Drought-tolerant plants offer an excellent solution to the challenges posed by climate change-induced droughts and rising temperatures. With heat and drought being significant threats to plants worldwide, the importance of drought-tolerant vegetation cannot be overstated. These plants play a crucial role in mitigating the effects of drought on food security, agricultural decline, and water conservation efforts. As individuals, communities, and landscaping professionals seek ways to adapt to changing environmental conditions, the adoption of drought-tolerant plants emerges as a practical and sustainable solution.
Drought-tolerant plants encompass a wide variety of species, including trees, shrubs, flowers, grasses, and crops, each with its unique characteristics and water-saving adaptations. These plants exhibit traits such as small or divided leaves, hairy or waxy textures, spiny foliage, or extensive root systems that enable them to thrive in arid conditions while minimizing water consumption. Their resilience and functionality make them ideal choices for landscaping projects, where they not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also contribute to water conservation efforts and reduce maintenance requirements.
Ultimately, the decision to incorporate drought-tolerant landscaping goes beyond water conservation—it offers numerous environmental, economic, and social benefits. From lower water bills and reduced maintenance efforts to increased property value and wildlife habitat preservation, drought-tolerant gardens offer a sustainable and resilient alternative to traditional landscapes. As individuals and communities embrace the principles of drought-tolerant landscaping, they not only adapt to the challenges of a changing climate but also contribute to the collective efforts towards a more sustainable and resilient future.
Drought Resistant Pet Safe Plants For Dogs, Cats & Horses:
Here is a comprehensive list of pet friendly plants from the ASPCA list of nontoxic plants for cats, dogs and horses that are also drought tolerant.
| Plant | Container | Annual/Perennial | Basic Care Needs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby’s Breath | Yes | Annual | Well-drained soil, full sun to partial shade, regular water |
| Blackjack Pine | No | Perennial | Full sun, well-drained soil, occasional watering |
| Blue Echeveria | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, bright light, infrequent watering |
| Bottle Palm | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, bright light, occasional watering |
| Bottlebrush | Yes | Perennial | Full sun, well-draining soil, regular water |
| Burro’s Tail | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, bright light, infrequent watering |
| Callistemon | Yes | Perennial | Full sun, well-draining soil, regular water |
| Calychortus | No | Perennial | Well-drained soil, full sun, minimal water |
| Carob | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun, occasional watering |
| Cast Iron Plant | Yes | Perennial | Low light, well-draining soil, regular water |
| Cat’s Claw | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun to partial shade, regular water |
| Chaparral | No | Perennial | Full sun, well-draining soil, occasional watering |
| Chenille Plant | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, bright light, regular water |
| China Root | No | Perennial | Well-draining soil, partial to full sun, regular water |
| Christmas Cactus | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, indirect light, regular water |
| Christmas Palm | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun, regular water |
| Cinquefoil | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun to partial shade, regular water |
| Cliff Brake | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, partial to full shade, regular water |
| Club Moss | Yes | Perennial | Moist, well-draining soil, shade, regular water |
| Coral Bells | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, partial shade, regular water |
| Coreopsis | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun, regular water |
| Crape Myrtle | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun, regular water |
| Creeping Mahonia | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun to partial shade, regular water |
| Crimson Bottlebrush | Yes | Perennial | Full sun, well-draining soil, regular water |
| Desert Trumpet | Yes | Perennial | Sandy, well-draining soil, full sun, minimal water |
| Dichelostemma | No | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun, occasional water |
| Dinteranthus | No | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun, minimal water |
| Dwarf Date Palm | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, bright light, regular water |
| Fairy Fountain | Yes | Annual | Well-draining soil, full sun, regular water |
| Haws | No | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun to partial shade, regular water |
| Hedgehog Gourd | Yes | Annual | Well-draining soil, full sun, occasional water |
| Hens and Chickens | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun to partial shade, regular water |
| Hibiscus | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun to partial shade, regular water |
| Hoary Alyssum | Yes | Annual | Well-draining soil, full sun, regular water |
| Ice Plant | Yes | Annual/Perennial | Sandy, well-draining soil, full sun, minimal water |
| Lagerstroemia Indica | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun, regular water |
| Lance Pleomele | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, bright light, regular water |
| Living Rock Cactus | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun, occasional water |
| Living Stones | Yes | Perennial | Sandy, well-draining soil, full sun, minimal water |
| Locust Pods | No | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun, regular water |
| Miniature Date Palm | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, bright light, regular water |
| Mahonia | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun to partial shade, regular water |
| Nasturtium | Yes | Annual | Well-draining soil, full sun to partial shade, regular water |
| Oregon Grape | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun to partial shade, regular water |
| Pony Tail | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, bright light, occasional water |
| Red Maple | No | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun to partial shade, regular water |
| Red Palm Lily | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun to partial shade, regular water |
| Rosemary | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun, occasional watering |
| Russian Olive | No | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun, occasional watering |
| Sage | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun, occasional watering |
| Scarlet Sage | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun, regular water |
| Shagbark Hickory | No | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun, regular water |
| Sugar Pods | No | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun to partial shade, regular water |
| Sulfur Flower | Yes | Perennial | Sandy, well-draining soil, full sun, minimal water |
| Tall Mahonia | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun to partial shade, regular water |
| Texas Sage | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun, regular water |
| Thyme | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun, regular water |
| Torch Lily | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun, regular water |
| Umbrella Plant | Yes | Perennial | Sandy, well-draining soil, full sun, minimal water |
| Urbinia Agavoides | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun to partial shade, regular water |
| Venus Fly Trap | Yes | Perennial | Peat-based soil, bright light, high humidity, regular watering |
| Wax Rosette | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, bright light, occasional watering |
| Weeping Bottlebrush | Yes | Perennial | Full sun, well-draining soil, regular water |
| Weisdornbluten | No | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun to partial shade, regular water |
| White Heart Hickory | No | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun, regular water |
| Wild Buckwheat | Yes | Perennial | Sandy, well-draining soil, full sun, minimal water |
| Wild Strawberry | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, full sun to partial shade, regular water |
| Zebra Haworthia | Yes | Perennial | Well-draining soil, bright light, occasional watering |
