The best drought resistant plants for Dallas yards are Texas natives and adapted plants such as Texas sage, lantana, autumn sage, Turk’s cap, red yucca and Gulf muhly. Once established, most need deep watering only every one to two weeks in summer. Plant in fall, and expect a professional xeriscape conversion to cost about $5 to $20 per square foot.
| Plant | Type | Sun | Bloom or interest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas sage (cenizo) | Shrub | Full sun | Purple flowers after summer rain |
| Lantana | Perennial | Full sun | Spring to frost, attracts butterflies |
| Autumn sage (Salvia greggii) | Small shrub | Full sun to part shade | Red, pink or white, spring and fall |
| Turk’s cap | Perennial | Part shade to shade | Red flowers, hummingbirds |
| Red yucca | Succulent | Full sun | Coral flower spikes all summer |
| Gulf muhly | Ornamental grass | Full sun | Pink plumes in fall |
| Mexican feathergrass | Ornamental grass | Full sun | Soft movement, spring to fall |
| Blackfoot daisy | Groundcover | Full sun | White daisies, spring to fall |
| Black eyed Susan | Perennial | Full sun | Gold flowers in summer |
| Purple coneflower | Perennial | Full sun to part shade | Late spring to summer |
| Esperanza (yellow bells) | Shrub | Full sun | Yellow trumpets in peak heat |
| Rock rose (Pavonia) | Small shrub | Sun to part shade | Pink flowers, spring to fall |
| Mexican plum | Small tree | Sun to part shade | White spring flowers |
| Cedar elm | Shade tree | Full sun | Tough, fine textured shade |
| Buffalograss | Lawn grass | Full sun | Low water lawn for low traffic areas |
Why do Dallas yards need drought tolerant plants?
Dallas summers bring weeks above 100 degrees with little rain, often from July into September. The clay soil common across Dallas, Richardson and Garland holds water in spring, then dries out and cracks in summer. Many North Texas cities, Dallas included, limit how often and when you can run sprinklers, typically no more than twice a week and not during the hottest part of the day. Check your city’s current schedule before you plan watering.
Winter matters too. The February 2021 freeze killed many plants that had thrived for years, including some agaves, palms and tender shrubs. The plants in this guide are proven in both directions: they handle 105 degree afternoons and recover from hard freezes, with only esperanza sometimes dying back to the ground in a cold winter before returning in spring.
When is the best time to plant in Dallas?
Fall, from late September through November, is the best planting window in Dallas. Soil is still warm, so roots keep growing, while cooler air reduces stress on leaves. Plants set in fall have months to build roots before their first summer. Spring planting, from March to early May, also works, but those plants need more frequent watering through their first summer. Avoid planting from mid June through August unless you can water every few days.
How do you plant and water drought tolerant plants so they survive?
- Improve drainage. Heavy clay drowns roots of natives like Texas sage and blackfoot daisy. Mix in expanded shale or compost, or build beds slightly raised.
- Dig wide, not deep. Make the hole two to three times as wide as the pot and no deeper than the root ball.
- Mulch 2 to 3 inches deep. Shredded hardwood or native cedar mulch cools soil and holds moisture. Keep it a few inches away from stems.
- Water deeply, then less often. Water every two to three days for the first two weeks, then weekly through the first summer. After that, most of these plants need a deep soak only every one to two weeks in drought.
- Switch beds to drip. Drip lines put water at the roots with less waste than spray heads.
Which drought tolerant plants grow in Dallas shade?
Many older Dallas neighborhoods, like Lakewood, Kessler Park and the M Streets, sit under mature live oaks and pecans, so beds get only a few hours of filtered sun. Most of the sun lovers above will stretch and stop blooming there. These plants handle dry shade well once established:
- Turk’s cap: the best flowering choice for shade, with red blooms hummingbirds love from summer to frost.
- Inland sea oats: a native grass with flat seed heads that sway in the breeze, good for slopes under trees.
- Cast iron plant: not native, but nearly indestructible in deep, dry shade.
- Horseherb: a low native groundcover that fills bare spots where grass will not grow.
How much does xeriscaping cost in Dallas?
| Item | Typical Dallas cost |
|---|---|
| 1 gallon perennial | $8 to $20 |
| 3 gallon shrub or grass | $20 to $45 |
| Mulch, delivered and spread | $60 to $120 per cubic yard |
| Convert spray zone to drip | $300 to $800 per zone |
| Remove lawn and prepare beds | $1.50 to $4.00 per square foot |
| Full professional xeriscape design and install | $5 to $20 per square foot |
A practical approach is to convert one area at a time, often the hot, west facing strip or the front beds, rather than the whole yard at once. Many Dallas homeowners keep a smaller patch of Bermuda or Zoysia for kids and dogs and turn the rest into native beds. That cuts mowing time as well as water. For the lawn you keep, see the best time to cut grass and our lawn mowing cost guide.
What are the most common drought garden mistakes in Dallas?
- Overwatering natives. Texas sage, red yucca and blackfoot daisy rot in soggy clay. Once established, less is more.
- Planting in July. Even tough plants struggle when set out during peak heat.
- Bare rock everywhere. Large areas of gravel without plants heat up and reflect it onto the house. Mix rock with plants and mulch.
- Ignoring mature size. Texas sage and Turk’s cap can reach 4 to 6 feet. Give them room so you are not shearing them into boxes every month.
For more ideas on how planting fits into a full backyard plan, read Dallas outdoor living: creating the perfect backyard.
See your upfront price and book your lawn care on House Fly. Keep the grass you have trimmed and tidy around your new beds, see the full price before you book, and payment is held until the job is done.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most drought tolerant plant for Dallas?
Texas sage, red yucca and blackfoot daisy are among the toughest. Once established, they survive Dallas summers on rainfall plus an occasional deep soak, and they come back after hard freezes. The key is good drainage, because these plants handle drought far better than soggy clay soil.
How often should I water drought resistant plants in Dallas summer?
New plants need water every two to three days for the first two weeks, then weekly through the first summer. Established natives usually need a deep soak only every one to two weeks during dry spells. Water early in the morning and follow your city’s watering schedule.
What grass uses the least water in Dallas?
Buffalograss uses the least water of common Dallas lawn grasses and can go dormant in drought, then green up after rain. It does best in full sun with light foot traffic. Bermuda is also very drought tolerant and handles heavy use. St. Augustine needs the most water and tolerates more shade.
When should I plant perennials in Dallas?
Fall is best, from late September through November, because warm soil and cool air help roots establish before summer. Spring, from March to early May, is the second choice. Plants set out in summer can survive, but they need water every few days until fall and are much more likely to struggle.
Will drought tolerant plants survive a Dallas freeze?
The plants in this guide are hardy in Dallas and generally recover from hard freezes, though esperanza and lantana may die back to the ground and return in spring. Cover young plants during extreme cold, keep mulch in place, and wait until late spring before cutting back frozen growth so you can see what survived.
