While San Diego is known for its incredible weather, the long periods of sunshine and no rain are not always good news for your plants. Landscaping in southern California requires drought-tolerant plants that can survive the dry seasons. Growing plants that fit into the area’s local biome has many benefits. They spruce up your lawn, can make your patio eco-friendly, and overall require less upkeep. Here are some hardy, low maintenance plants that can thrive in San Diego weather.
1.) Mexican Fencepost Cactus (Pachycereus marginatus)
Mexican fencepost cactus
Cacti are the ultimate low maintenance plant. Designed to retain water through long dry spells, these desert plants require little water. The Mexican fencepost cactus can withstand full sun and cold weather down to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, making it plenty hardy for San Diego winters. They grow tall and thin; in spring, they sprout stunning blooms.
2.) Blue Ice Agave (Agave colorata)
Agave Plant
Agave is a type of succulent, another member of the sturdy desert plant family. This variety can grow in reflected sun or partial shade, but it gets its prettiest coloring from direct sun. It also tolerates salty air, making it a good fit for the coastal San Diego climate. This drought-resistant plant should be watered occasionally in the dry seasons, but it doesn’t require much else. It’s in its prime above 15-20 degrees Fahrenheit.
3.) Coral Aloe (Aloe striata)
Aloe Striata
Aloe is another hardy succulent that can withstand the hot, dry San Diego climate. Coral aloe makes a nice accent plant all year round, but it is especially pretty when it flowers coral red in winter. This also brings hummingbirds to your garden, as there are not many other flowering plants around in that time of year. Coral aloe can be planted in bunches with other aloe or even potted for your patio. Provide some supplemental water in the dry season to keep it plump and healthy.
4.) Muhly Grass (Muhlbergia)
Muhly Grass
Muhly grass is an ornamental grass with wispy pink blooms in summer and fall. This hardy, low maintenance plant thrives in full sun and shade alike, so you can plant it around your patio (and even use it as an accent color to complement your patio furniture). It requires little to no care—just give it some extra water every once in a while during the dry season.
5.) Blue Hill Meadow Sage (Salvia x sylvestris)
Springtime flowers of beautiful blue sage
Choosing perennial plants like sage cuts down on your landscaping maintenance. Once blue hill meadow sage is established in your yard, it only requires occasional watering and trimming. They can bloom in rocky soil, pots, or other areas, making them extremely versatile. This herbaceous perennial provides vibrant blue blooms in summer.
6.) Lantana Flowers (Lantana camara)
Lantana Flowers
Lantanas are another drought-tolerant perennial perfect for the San Diego climate. Their colorful blooms last for extended periods, making them an excellent addition to your landscaping. They also help attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden! These tolerant groundcover plants can be placed in pots, the garden, or even hanging baskets. Water once a week to keep them in optimal condition.
7.) Trailing Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Rosmarinus officinalis plant
This durable plant with spring blooms produces a lovely herbal aroma and attracts pollinators to your yard. It does best in warm full sun, but it can also withstand temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit. This low maintenance plant looks lovely as a shrub or, as the name suggests, trailing over rocky areas in your landscaping.
These are just some of the wonderfully versatile, low maintenance plants that will add color and life to your San Diego landscaping. Explore even more great “WaterSmart” plants from this handy guide from the San Diego Water Authority.
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