San Diego’s microclimate gives you options when it comes to the best plants to grow in your front or backyard. At Deep Rooted Designs, we believe in sustainability and eco-friendly landscaping, so many of our projects feature exclusively drought-tolerant varietals. For those shy to xeriscaping, you’d be surprised to know that many species of drought-resistant plants don’t look like they belong in a desert.
Whether you’re on the water conservation bandwagon or not, we’ve identified the best plants for your San Diego landscape. We hope this helps you narrow down your selection when renovating your outdoor living space. Of course, if you have specific questions about which plants are best for your home, our team is here to help.
The 6 Best Drought Tolerant Plants/Flowers to Grow in San Diego, California
BOUGAINVILLEA
Vibrant and full of life, bougainvillea is one of our favorite vines that flourishes in our San Diego climate and their flowers are amazing. Bougainvillea craves lots of sun, making it perfect for most homes in our area. Keep in mind – if grown in a shaded area, the plant will still grow but may bloom less.
Bougainvillea can dress up any fence or pergola and bloom brilliantly with just 5 hours of sunlight daily. While your bougainvillea is in bloom, you’ll want to water it more regularly. However, the amount of water bougainvillea requires does depend on your irrigation, drainage and soil.
ALOE
There are many species of aloe vera plants but it’s important to realize that aloe is a succulent. Aloe will thrive best in dry conditions, making it suitable for our hot San Diego climate. We love this versatile plant, because it can grow well in direct sun or shade – but it prefers a slightly more shaded area. This plant doesn’t require much water and in fact, you need to be careful not to over water it. Another brightside? The leaves multiply quickly, so you can propagate and replant more aloe in other areas of your yard or even indoors!
We love this beginners guide to growing aloe!
AGAVE
Like aloe, agave is another type of succulent. First and foremost, this means that agave is drought-resistant and will do well in most San Diego landscaping. If you have rocky or sandy soil in your yard, perfect! These shallow rooted plants do best with sandy soil that drains well. For those of you without a green thumb, agave plants are some of the easiest to grow. In fact, in an article by The Spruce, they claim that “agave plants thrive on neglect.”
We frequently use agave plants in our projects because they add lush green hues to the overall design. They can also grow quite large in diameter, adding the right amount of drama to any front or backyard.
LAVENDER
If you’re looking to add some vibrance to your San Diego landscape, lavender is perfect. It gives off a less ‘desert’ ambiance and adds lush texture and color to your yard. Lavender needs full sun, up to 6 or more hour per day, so it’s important to make sure that you place your lavender plants appropriately. The flowers they produce are truly stunning.
We love how lavender can add just the right amount of “english cottage chic” to a home without being too much. Not only is lavender incredibly aromatic, but the oils from the plant can be used as a natural antiseptic and an aid for sleep, stress, or headaches.
Read more tips for growing lavender here.
MONDO GRASS
We love mondo grass! This low growing, lush plant is extremely drought-tolerant yet so green that you’d never suspect it! This varietal of ornamental grass can tolerate both shade and direct sun, making it incredibly versatile. For homeowners who crave greenery in their yards this is an excellent alternative to turf. Because it grows low to the ground, it can replace the yearning for green grass and add a bit of a tropical touch to your home.
Our friends at The Spruce offer more tips on growing mondo grass. Read the full article here.
STAR JASMINE
Ah, the sweet smell of Jasmine in the Spring and Summer. We couldn’t forget this incredible drought-tolerant vine plant. Did you know that Jasmine plants can grow up to 20 feet tall? Like bougainvillea, star jasmine is perfect for growing along fences or pergolas.
We love incorporating the stunning green vines of Jasmine into our designs. Not only does Jasmine tolerate both sun and shade, you can accidentally neglect their luscious vines and they will persist. Their white flowers only bloom in warmer months (Spring and Summer), but you can enjoy their dark green leaves and vines all year long.
There are so many incredible plants that are native to San Diego. Your options when designing your front or backyard are almost limitless. But out of countless options, these 6 are some of our absolute favorites. For more questions about what plants might be best for your yard, contact us!
If you enjoyed this article, you might also enjoy:
The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Xeriscaping