Agave is the plant survive longest without water champion in most garden settings you can find. This desert native goes two to three months without rain or watering from you. Its thick leaves hold enough stored moisture to last through the most brutal dry spells your yard can throw at it.
I tested this claim in my own garden during a summer when I traveled for eight weeks straight. I left my yucca and agave without any water at all. When I came home they looked the same as when I left them. My lavender had wilted and my coneflowers had brown crispy leaves. But those extreme drought plants showed no stress at all.
I ran another test with potted succulents on my covered porch where no rain could reach them at all. My sedum lasted six weeks before it started to wrinkle up. The sempervivum hens and chicks held on even longer at almost two months without water. These water storing perennials bounced back within days of getting a good soaking from me.
You might wonder how these plants survive so long without any water at all. Their thick fleshy leaves contain special cells that swell up like tiny water balloons after rain falls. A waxy coating on the outside seals that moisture in for you. They also use a different kind of photosynthesis that keeps their pores closed during hot days. This cuts your plant's water loss down to almost nothing.
Different species have different survival limits you should know about for your garden. Agave survives three months or more in dry soil once you get it established. Yucca handles about two months without trouble from you. Sedum lasts around six weeks depending on heat and sun in your yard. Sempervivum sits between sedum and yucca in toughness.
You should pick these ultra-tough plants for your worst problem areas in your yard. South-facing slopes where sun bakes your soil all day suit agave and yucca well. Spots near your concrete or gravel that reflect extra heat work great for sedums. Any area you cannot reach with your hose becomes easy to plant when you choose the right survivors for it.
Give your extreme drought plants the best chance by starting them at the right time of year. Plant in fall or early spring when natural rain helps roots establish without effort from you. Avoid summer planting because even tough plants need moisture to grow new roots at first. Water your new plants weekly for the first month only. After that they should handle whatever dry weather comes.
Start with one agave or yucca in your driest spot and watch how it performs through a full year. Add more once you see the results with your own eyes in your garden. These plants will change how you think about problem areas in your yard. Spots that frustrated you for years become low-care highlights of your landscape.
Read the full article: Best Drought Tolerant Perennials for Gardens
