36 Drought-tolerant Plants with Names and Pictures

String of Nickels Plant also called Button Orchid is a trailing succulent plant which forms a dense mass of succulent, greenish-yellow, round leaves which look-like numerous coins, hence the common name.

The succulent leaves in Dischidia nummularia enable the plant to go for long periods of time without much water unlike its relatives Dischidia ovata and Dischidia ruscifolia.

Button Orchid requires bright light with some morning sunshine, average warmth and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil. Learn more on how to grow and care for String of Nickels Plant.

Blue Jelly Beans Plant also called Many Fingers Plant bears short, red-tipped, succulent leaves that resemble fingers. The leaves are pale-green and do not change color even in bright light.

Though the stems are upright in young plants, they eventually grow long enough to trail over the sides of the pot, creating a hanging plant display. The flowers are bright yellow and they sprout from between the leaves.

Sedum pachyphyllum thrives in bright light to full sunlight, warmth of 18-26⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, loose, free-draining, succulents soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season. Learn grow and care for Blue Jelly Beans Plant.

Mountain Fire Senecio or Senecio Mountain Fire is among compact Senecio varieties, and features a rosette of paddle-shaped, grey-green, succulent leaves on branching stems and a large head of dark-orange inflorescence borne above the foliage on a long stalk.

Mountain Fire Senecio grows to a height of 1.5-2 feet by 1 feet wide in about 4-6 years. The plant quickly forms offsets which can be used to grow new plants.

Senecio cephalophorus flourishes in bright light with 4-6 hours of sunshine, warmth of 20-26⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, free-draining, succulents mix coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Mountain Fire Senecio.

Ponytail Palm also called Elephant Foot Plant is among hardy plants, as it does not require a lot of attention making it ideal for a beginner or the forgetful plant parent.

It bears a large swollen bulb which stores water and resembles an elephant's foot, hence, the common name 'Elephant Foot'. The plume of long strap-like leaves give this plant its common name 'Ponytail Palm'.

Beaucarnea recurvata requires bright light 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 50-55%, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Ponytail Palm.

Penwiper Plant is among popular Kalanchoe varieties and is grown for its large scalloped and brown-blotched leaves. The flowers are starry white, four-petalled and are sometimes tinged with pink.

On account of its succulent foliage which stores water thus enabling the plant to go for considerably long without being watered, Penwiper Plant and its cousins Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (Flaming Katy) and Kalanchoe thyrsiflora (Paddle Plant) are some of the best drought-tolerant plants that you can grow either indoors or outdoors.

Kalanchoe marmorata blossoms in bright light to full sunlight, warmth of 16-26⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season. Learn more on how to grow and care for Penwiper Plant.

Snake Plant also called Mother in-law's Tongue is a popular plant for the home on account of its long beautifully colored, succulent foliage and ability to clean indoor air.

The Snake Plant Varieties are hard to kill plants which can withstand low light, dry air, draughts and periods without water but are prone to root-rot in soggy soil.

Dracaena trifasciata grows best in bright light with some direct sunlight, average warmth and moderately moist, loose, fertile, Cactus and Succulents soil.

Bear's Paw Succulent also called Bear Claw Succulent or Cat Paw Succulent is a succulent, evergreen shrub which bears large, chunky, ovate, fuzzy, light-green leaves.

The succulent leaves reminiscent in Bear Claw Succulent and Cotyledon campanulata store a lot of water which allows the plants to grow with minimal water requirements.

Cotyledon tomentosa thrives in bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 15-26⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, loose, fast draining soil that is low in organic matter coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Bear's Paw Succulent.

Desert Cactus come in numerous forms and sizes and they form interesting plants with specialized structures which enable them to tolerate drought conditions.

The native habitat of Cacti Plants is subject to drought as many live in extremely dry environments like the Atacama Desert with very bright sunshine.

Desert Cacti grow best in bright light to full sunlight with at least 6-8 hours of sunshine per day, average warmth and humidity and moderately moist, well drained soil. Learn how to grow and care for Desert Cacti.

Crassula brevifolia Succulent is among favored Crassula varieties and features thick, fleshy, green, triangular-shaped leaves which turn yellowish-green in bright light.

Crassula pearsonii like Crassula perforata (String of Buttons Plant), Crassula arborescens (Silver Dollar Jade) and Crassula capitella 'Campfire' is best watered by the 'soak and dry' method which requires a thorough soaking of the soil followed by a drying out of the soil before the next watering. They are some of best drought-tolerant plants.

Crassula brevifolia thrives in bright light with 4-6 hours of sunlight, warmth of 16-24⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderate moist, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in spring and summer. Learn more on how to grow and care for Crassula pearsonii.

Haworthia Plants have firm, tough, fleshy leaves, usually dark-green in color while others are softer and contain leaf windows with translucent panels through which sunlight can reach internal photosynthetic tissues.

The fleshy leaves in Haworthia Plants form a rosette and store water which enables these plants to withstand periods of drought.

Haworthia require bright light with 6-8 hours of sunlight, warmth of 18-26⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and slightly moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

Aeoniums commonly called Tree Houseleeks bear succulent, glossy, spoon-shaped leaves which are typically arranged on a basal stem in a dense spreading rosette and can be low-growing plants or can be large trees.

The Aeonium Plants have a small root system as they store water in their succulent leaves which makes them highly prone to root-rot if overwatered, therefore, they do not require frequent watering.

Aeoniums grow best in bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 18-24⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, loose, well-draining potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Tree Houseleeks.

Spineless Yucca also called Blue-stem Yucca, Giant Yucca or Yucca Cane bears a crown of long, leathery, strap-like, spineless leaves and white bell-shaped flowers may appear on mature plants.

Blue-stem Yucca is a hardy plant which can grow in a variety of soils and is drought-tolerant as it stores water in its leaves.

Yucca gigantea thrives in very bright light with 6-8 hours of sunshine, warmth of 16-28⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, well-drained, rich, succulents mix coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season. Learn more on how to grow and care for Spineless Yucca.

Houseleeks also called Liveforever or Hens and Chicks are popular, low-growing, succulent plants which stores in their leaves and allow the plants to adapt well to drought conditions

Sempervivums grow for several years before flowering afterwhich they die leaving many offsets, hence the common name, 'Liveforever'. These offsets have also given Houseleeks the common name, 'Hens and Chicks'.

Sempervivums require bright light with 4-6 hours of sunshine, warmth of 16-28⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, succulents soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.

Aloe Plants are popular, succulent plants which come in all shapes and sizes. There are numerous species of Aloes but only a few are grown in the home.

The Aloe Plants are native to tropical and southern Africa, Madagascar, Jordan, the Arabian Penisula and various islands in the Indian Ocean.

Aloe Plants grow best in bright light with 6-8 hours of sunlight, warmth of 16-28⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, succulents potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Plush Plant also called Red Echeveria, Ruby Slippers Plant or Red Devotion Plant forms a rosette of dark-green leaves with reddish edges which are covered in silver velvet. It is both its beautiful foliage as well as its spectacular flowers which are large, urn shaped, bright-orange with golden throats.

All Echeveria Plants bear numerous offsets (pups) at the base of the plant which give the plants the name, 'hen and chicks', although this name may also refer to other genera like Sempervivum.

Echeveria harmsii thrives in bright light with 4-6 hours of sunlight, warmth of 16-28⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in spring and summer. Learn more on how to grow and care for Red Echeveria.

Thread Agave also called Thread-leaf Agave is popular, evergreen, slow-growing, perennial plant which forms a beautiful, stemless rosette of long, blade-like, dark-green to a bronzish-green colored, succulent leaves.

The leaves bear fine thread-like filaments which gives the plant its common name, 'Thread Agave'. The succulent leaves store water, therefore, the plant does not require frequent watering.

Agave filifera requires bright light with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 21-32⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season in the first 2 years of growth. Learn how to grow and care for Thread Agave.

Teddy Bear Vine is a succulent vine with oval-shaped, hairy (velvet-like) leaves which thrives in drought conditions as it stores water in its leaves and stems.

The Teddy Bear Vine like its relative Cyanotis somaliensis bears stems which cascade downwards making it perfect for a hanging basket, a pedestal or a table-top.

Cyanotis kewensis thrives in bright indirect light with 4-6 hours of morning sunshine, warmth of 15-27⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich succulents soils and monthly feeding during the growing season. Learn more on how to grow and care for Teddy Bear Vine.

String of Rubies Plant also called String of Pickles, Little Pickles or Ruby Necklace bears reddish-purple stems and bean-shaped, succulent leaves which turn a bright ruby red when the plant is grown under bright sunshine.

The odd shaped leaves on String of Pickles Plant are an adaptation to drought conditions in its natural environment.

Othonna capensis grows best in very bright light with at least 6 hours of sunlight, warmth of 20-27⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with two feedings during the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for String of Rubies Plant.

Gasteria pillansii is among favored Gasteria varieties, and bears green, strap-shaped leaves, arranged in two rows forming a fan-like shape, are rough with tiny tubercles.

What sets this plant apart is its resilience; it tolerates neglect better than most plants, requiring minimal watering and only occasional feeding. It is also less susceptible to pests and diseases compared to its more sensitive cousins.

Gasteria pillansii thrives in bright light with 6-8 hours of sunlight, warmth of 18-29⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in spring and summer. Learn more on how to grow and care for Gasteria pillansii.

Trailing Jade Peperomia also called Creeping Jade Plant, Jade Necklace, Creeping Peperomia, Creeping Buttons or round Leaf Peperomia is one of the trailing Peperomia varieties and features very small, thick and fleshy, succulent and button-like leaves that may entwine and weave in and out of each other..

Creeping Peperomia and its relatives Peperomia verticillata (Red Log Plant), Peperomia orba (Teardrop Peperomia) and Peperomia scandens 'Variegata' are drought-tolerant plants and are perfect for a hanging basket, pedestal, desktop or plant shelf where the stems can beautifully hang downwards.

Peperomia rotundifolia blossoms in medium to bright indirect light, warmth of 15-26⁰C, humidity of 55-65% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Trailing Jade Peperomia.

Barberton Groundsel also called Succulent Bush Senecio or Barberton Senecio is a perennial plant and is densely packed with lime-green, finger-like, succulent leaves on fleshy stems. The succulent leaves store a lot of water which enables the plant to thrive even under drought conditions.

On account of its drought tolerance and need for bright light with exposure to some sunshine, Succulent Bush Senecio is among popular succulents for full sun, perfect for a sunny location.

Senecio barbertonicus thrives in bright light with 4-6 hours of sunshine, warmth of 20-26⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, succulents soil coupled with regular feeding in the growing season. Learn more on how to grow and care for Barberton Groundsel.

Moonstones Succulent or Sugar Almond Plant is a succulent plant with pale blue-green to bluish-purple, egg-shaped leaves which look-like a sugared almond confection and hence the name, 'Sugar Almond'.

The egg-shaped leaves in Sugar Almond Plant is an adapation of this plant to its natural habitat, the rocky cliffs of Mexico which enable it survive without much water.

Pachyphytum oviferum grows best in bright light to full sunlight, warmth of 16-26⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, well-drained succulents soil coupled with quarterly feeding in the growing season. Learn more on how to grow and care for Moonstones Succulent.

Cliff Cotyledon is a trailing, multi-branched succulent with thick stems which are packed with short, fleshy, oval-shaped leaves and covered with a powdery grey coat. The thick stems start off upright but begin to trail at the weight of the leaves and bend downwards, hence, the species name, 'pendens'.

Cliff Cotyledon Succulent bears trailing stems of about 2 feet long which makes it perfect for the limited spaces in the home, office and other places.

Cotyledon pendens thrives in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 15-26⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, loose, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Cliff Cotyledon.

String of Hearts Plant also called Rosary Vine, Chinese Lantern or Chain of Hearts is an unusual plant with succulent, heart-shaped leaves which helps it survive with little amounts of water.

Chain of Hearts Plant is one of the popular string of plants with spectacular leaves and trailing stems ideal for a hanging basket or a desk-top.

Ceropegia woodii grows best in bright indirect light, warmth of 16-25⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, succulents potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Learn more on how to grow and care for String of Hearts Plant.

ZZ Plant also called Zanzibar Gem, Zuzu Plant, Aroid Palm or Emerald Palm is a hardy plant with attractive, glossy, succulent foliage which make it drought tolerant.

The foliage on Zanzibar Gem contains unusually high content of water up to 90% with which it can survive extremely well under interior low light levels for up to 4 months without water.

Zamioculcas zamiifolia thrives in bright indirect light, warmth of 15-26⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, succulents soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for ZZ Plant.

Pig's Ear Plant also called Round-leafed Navel-wort, Silver Pig's Ears or Round-leafed Cotyledon bears grey-green leaves covered with a white powdery substance which helps them to reflect light and allows them to conserve water.

Silver Pig's Ears like its cousin, Cotyledon velutina (Velvet Pig's Ears), bears leaves with a resemblance to a pig's ear, and hence the common name.

Cotyledon orbiculata requires very bright light to full sunlight, warmth of 16-26⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, succulents soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Pig's Ear Plant.

Sago Palm also called King Sago, Sago Cycad, Japanese Sago Palm bears an attractive dark-green rosette of stiff arching foliage and a trunk characterized by a thick coat of fibers which enables it to survive drought.

Sago Cycad also called Cycas aurea or Cycas inermis is native to Southern Japan including Ryukyu Islands and grows best in sandy, well drained soil with some organic matter.

Cycas revoluta thrives in medium to bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 18-27⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained succulents potting soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

Cast Iron Plant is a highly tolerant and extremely slow growing plant which can withstand periods of dryness at the roots if the temperature is not too high.

The Cast Iron Plant is one of the popular hard to kill plants which is very tolerant to shade and can withstand some level of neglect making it perfect for a beginner.

Aspidistra elatior grows best in bright indirect light, warmth of 15-26⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Madagascar Dragon Tree is a tough, drought-resistant plant with aggressive root system and easily adapts to a wide range of indoor growing conditions and is also a good indoor air cleaner.

Madagascar Dragon Tree together with other Dracaena Plants are referred to as False palms due to their palm-like appearance of a leafless woody trunk on top of which is a crown of leaves.

Dracaena marginata thrives in bright indirect light (filtered light), warmth of 15-28⁰C, humidity of 45-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Learn more on how to grow and care for Madagascar Dragon Tree.

Peperomia Jelly also called Peperomia Ginny, Peperomia Red-edge or Peperomia Tricolor is among well-liked Peperomia varieties and features fleshy, oval-shaped leaves that are pointed at the tips.

Peperomia Ginny is perfect for a hanging basket, tabletop, desktop, pedestal or plant shelf where the trailing stems can cascade beautifully down the sides of the pot.

Peperomia clusiifolia grows best in medium to bright indirect light, warmth of 15-26⁰C, humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Peperomia Jelly.

Queen's Tears Plant also called Friendship Plant is grown for the beauty of their drooping showy flower-heads and leathery, arching, long, grass-like leaves which allow it to thrive with little water.

Friendship Plant is one of the easy-care Bromeliad Varieties with a rosette of leathery, strap-like foliage and flower-head which arises on a stalk from the cup-like center of rosette.

Billbergia Bromeliads thrive in bright indirect light, warmth of 18-28⁰C, humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained orchids soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season. Learn more on how to grow and care for Queen's Tears Plant.

Chinese Money Plant also called Missionary Plant, Pancake Plant, Friendship Plant or UFO Plant is an evergreen succulent plant which is drought tolerant.

The inflorescence in Missionary Plant is like that of Pilea cadierei (Aluminium Plant) while the leaves are like those of Coin-leaf Peperomia and hence the Botanical name, Pilea peperomioides.

Pilea peperomioides grows best in bright indirect light, warmth of 18-28⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile succulents potting mix coupled with quarterly feeding in the growing season.

Canary Island Date Palm also called Pineapple Palm is native to the Canary Islands and is a popular palm which is tolerant to soil variation and drought conditions.

Like other Palm Varieties, the spectacular Pineapple Palm is an elegant plant which will add a sophisticated and exotic feel in any space.

Phoenix canariensis thrives in bright indirect light, warmth of 15-26⁰C, humidity of 55-65% and moderately moist, fertile, well drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Learn more on how to grow and care for Canary Island Date Palm.

Lacy Tree Philodendron also called Tree Philodendron or Splitleaf Philodendron is among Self-heading Philodendron, featuring simple, large, deeply lobed, ruffle-edged, glossy, dark-green leaves; a thick, woody, trunk and numerous aerial roots which allow it to survive on little water.

Splitleaf Philodendron like other Philodendron Plants is considered toxic to both humans and pets. Philodendron plants contain Calcium oxalate crystals which cause burning and swelling in the mouth and throat, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pains.

Philodendron selloum grows best in medium to bright indirect light, warmth of 18-26⁰C, humidity of 55-65% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Lacy Tree Philodendron.

Boat Lily also called Moses-in-the-Cradle, Moses-in-a-Boat, Cradle Lily or Oyster Plant is among popular Tradescantia varieties and features fleshy, sword-shaped, glossy, green leaves with purplish-red undersides.

Oyster Plant fleshy leaves like those of its cousins Tradescantia pallida (Purple Heart Plant) store water and allows these plants to go for considerably long periods without being watered which makes them easy to grow even for a beginner plant parent.

Tradescantia spathacea thrives in bright indirect light, warmth of 18-27⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season. Learn more on how to grow and care for Boat Lily.

Asparagus Fern also called Asparagus Grass, Lace Fern, Climbing Asparagus or Ferny Asparagus is among the popular ornamental Asparagus ferns with needle-like leaves and extensive root system which enables it to withstand drought conditions.

Asparagus Grass easily adapts to wide variations in light, heat and frequency of watering. Its cascading growth habit makes it ideal for a hanging basket, a pedestal, tabletop or desktop where the branches can cascade downwards beautifully.

Asparagus plumosus grows best in medium to bright indirect light, warmth of 16-28⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soils coupled with weekly feeding during the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Asparagus Fern.

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