By Emily Cross Reeves

The best drought-tolerant plants for Colorado are perennials, grasses, and ground covers that handle our semi-arid climate, alkaline clay soil, and USDA zones 5-7 with minimal supplemental water once established. At Resource Central®, our top waterwise picks include Rocky Mountain Penstemon, Fringed Sage, Sunset Hyssop, Chocolate Flower, Blue Avena Grass, and Angelina Stonecrop, all field-tested in Front Range gardens.

You can find these and other waterwise favorites in many Garden In A Box® kits. Check out all the pre-planned garden options in the Garden In A Box® store.

From rock-hard soil and persistent droughts to harsh sun and hot summers, gardeners in Colorado face many challenges. You can make gardening easier and lower your water bills by choosing drought-tolerant, waterwise plants that thrive in our climate. To make things even easier, we have put together a list of the best drought-tolerant plants to grow in Colorado.

These waterwise plants were chosen based on our experience, input from Master Gardeners on the Front Range, and feedback from participants who have planted our pre-planned Garden In A Box® gardens. Since 2003, we’ve distributed more than 102,000 Garden In A Box® kits, and every plant in them is picked by professional landscapers specifically for Colorado’s conditions. That two-decade track record shapes the list below.

 

Why Drought-Tolerant Plants Matter for Colorado Homeowners

Outdoor water use makes up roughly 50% of all water use in a single-family Colorado home, according to a Colorado State University Water Efficiency Study. Most of that goes to lawns and traditional landscaping, and the plants you choose are one of the biggest changes you can make to reduce your water usage.

The urgency to conserve water is real, with Colorado’s 2025-2026 snowpack running historically low and water providers across the Front Range implementing drought-related watering restrictions. Fixing a broken sprinkler head helps save water in the short term when watering grass. However, replacing that thirsty grass with waterwise perennial Garden In A Box® kits keeps saving water every summer for the life of the garden.

If you want the full framework for planning a low-water yard, our guide to xeriscaping in Colorado walks through the design principles behind smart plant selection, soil prep, and irrigation. It’s a great place to start.

 

Top 10 Drought-Tolerant Plants for Colorado

1. Fringed Sage, Artemisia frigida

You’ll fall in love with this fuzzy, silver plant when you see it shimmer in the Colorado sun. Fringed Sage is a Colorado native plant that has many roles in the garden: it’s a soil stabilizer, hardy ground cover, year-round plant, and a lovely companion for the eye-catching flowers you want on display in your garden. Plus, it’s deer- and rabbit-resistant and pollinator-friendly. As a low, spreading drought-tolerant ground cover, Fringed Sage holds soil in place on slopes and suppresses weeds between larger plants. You’ll find Fringed Sage in our Garden In A Box® kits often. It’s one of our favorites.

Bloom time: Late summer. Mature size: About 6-15 inches tall and 18-24 inches wide. Sun and water: Full sun, very low water once established. USDA zones: 3-9.

2. Sunset Hyssop, Agastache rupestris

With its tubular flowers blooming in late summer when other perennials are fading, Sunset Hyssop is a big Garden In A Box® favorite. Anyone who sees this plant in bloom wants it in their own garden. Hummingbirds flock to the sunset-orange flowers, and deer and rabbits stay far away from it. This bright and beautiful hyssop grows in hot, dry gardens. Plus, this hardy perennial gives off the wonderful aroma of root beer!

Bloom time: Summer to fall. Mature size: 24-36 inches tall and wide. Sun and water: Full sun, low water. USDA zones: 5-9.

3. Rocky Mountain Penstemon, Penstemon strictus

Penstemons, also known as beardtongues, are a Colorado gardener’s delight because of their hardiness, vivid colors, and attractiveness to pollinators. Even among the hundreds of varieties of penstemons, Rocky Mountain Penstemon is special. This drought-tolerant perennial is native to Colorado, so it’s especially well suited for dry, hot, and sunny gardens. Since it’s a native plant, it’s also beneficial to native bees and butterflies. Sphinx moths, swallowtail butterflies, and hummingbirds are common visitors. Rocky Mountain Penstemon often sprouts up in one or two garden kits each year.

Bloom time: Late spring to summer. Mature size: 18-24 inches tall and 12-18 inches wide. Sun and water: Full sun to part sun, low water. USDA zones: 4-8.

4. Blue Avena Grass, Helictotrichon sempervirens

A drought-tolerant grass known to xeric gardeners, Blue Avena Grass has gray-blue leaves that form the foundation for tall flower spikes on full display by midsummer. Plant it with your other drought-resistant perennials to add texture and color to your garden. As a low-water ornamental grass, Blue Avena provides year-round interest and pairs well with flowering perennials that come and go through the seasons.

Bloom time: Early to mid-summer. Mature size: Up to 48 inches tall in bloom. Sun and water: Full sun, low water. USDA zones: 4-9.

5. Big Bluestem Grass, Andropogon gerardii

Big Bluestem Grass grows up to 6 feet tall and has a beautiful blue-green color that turns coppery in the fall, adding color and height to a perennial garden. This drought-tolerant grass is adaptable, native to Colorado, easy to grow, and beautiful in the garden. Planting Big Bluestem Grass adds graceful height and year-round visual interest while making local birds happy. As a native, low-water ornamental grass, it works well as a back-of-border anchor or a screening element in a xeric bed.

Bloom time: Late-summer flower spikes. Mature size: 4-6 feet tall. Sun and water: Full sun, low to moderate water. USDA zones: 3-8.

6. Angelina Stonecrop, Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’

Every garden should include a dependable, low-growing ground cover, and Angelina Stonecrop fits the bill in a dry, full-sun garden. This ground cover is drought-tolerant and extremely easy to grow. The needle-like, chartreuse foliage turns orange in fall and cascades over boulders or retaining walls to create a waterfall of color. Give it room to spread, and cut it back if it starts to encroach on other plants. As a fast-establishing, drought-tolerant ground cover, Angelina is one of our go-to picks for sunny slopes, rock gardens, and any spot where you want to skip the mulch and let a living carpet do the work.

Bloom time: Yellow flowers in summer. Mature size: 4-6 inches tall, spreading 12-18 inches. Sun and water: Full sun, low water. USDA zones: 3-8.

7. Chocolate Flower, Berlandiera lyrata

Yes, it really does smell like chocolate! The very drought-tolerant Chocolate Flower has a distinct milk chocolate scent that’s especially strong in the morning. It grows in full sun and shows its adaptability in nearly all conditions across Colorado. These yellow, daisy-like flowers attract butterflies, birds, and bees while deterring deer. A Colorado native plant, Chocolate Flower is cold-hardy and long-blooming.

Bloom time: Late spring through fall. Mature size: 12-18 inches tall and wide. Sun and water: Full sun, low water. USDA zones: 4-9.

8. Deep Red Oriental Poppy, Papaver orientale ‘Beauty of Livermere’

There are so many wonderful things about this beautiful deep-red poppy that it’s hard to know where to start. It’s a favorite because it’s drought-resistant and low-maintenance, but there’s so much more. It’s a gorgeous cut flower that attracts pollinators and resists disease, deer, and rabbits. Plant it where it has some room to spread for the biggest impact in the garden.

Bloom time: Late spring. Mature size: 32-36 inches tall and 24 inches wide. Sun and water: Full sun, low water. USDA zones: 3-7.

9. Yellow Columbine, Aquilegia chrysantha

As the Colorado State Flower, Rocky Mountain Columbine is a beloved Colorado wildflower that lives happily in most dry gardens.

But don’t forget about our state’s gorgeous cousin, Yellow Columbine. Yellow Columbine doesn’t need much water once it’s established in part shade. Hummingbirds love these delicate flowers, as do many Colorado gardeners.

Bloom time: Late spring to summer. Mature size: 24-36 inches tall and 18-24 inches wide. Sun and water: Adaptable, low water. USDA zones: 4-9.

10. Santa Fe Aster, Machaeranthera bigelovii

An often-overlooked Colorado wildflower, Santa Fe Aster, also known as Bigelow’s Tansyaster, feels right at home in a drought-tolerant garden. Garden In A Box gardeners like Santa Fe Aster because it’s extremely low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and long-blooming. Colorado gardeners get to enjoy its purple blooms nearly all summer long. It’s hard to find a perennial that checks all the boxes for low maintenance, pollinator-friendliness, native status, and a long bloom period, but Santa Fe Aster certainly does.

Bloom time: Summer through fall. Mature size: 12-36 inches tall and 12-24 inches wide. Sun and water: Full sun, low water. USDA zones: 3-8.

 

Drought-Tolerant Shrubs for Colorado Gardens

Perennials and grasses get most of the attention, but shrubs form the backbone of a well-designed xeric garden. They provide structure, privacy, and year-round habitat for wildlife. Here are three drought-tolerant shrubs that hold up well to Front Range conditions.

Apache Plume, Fallugia paradoxa

Double your curb appeal with Apache Plume. This Colorado native shows off twice a year: first with white, rose-like flowers in early summer, then with feathery pink seed heads that catch the light through fall. It handles alkaline clay, needs little water once established, and attracts pollinators.

Mature size: About 4 feet tall and wide. Sun and water: Full sun, very low water. USDA zones: 4-9.

Rabbitbrush, Ericameria nauseosa

Rabbitbrush is one of the most recognizable native shrubs across Colorado’s high plains and mountain foothills. It bursts into bright yellow bloom in summer and fall when almost nothing else is flowering, giving pollinators a critical late-season food source. It’s extremely drought-tolerant and thrives in poor soil.

Mature size: 1-4 feet tall and wide. Sun and water: Full sun, very low water. USDA zones: 4-9.

Fernbush, Chamaebatiaria millefolium

Fernbush has fragrant, fern-like foliage and creamy white flower clusters in summer. It’s heat-tolerant, deer-resistant, and stays looking tidy without much fuss. It’s a good pick for hot, sunny spots where you want texture and a light scent.

Mature size: 6-8 feet tall and wide. Sun and water: Full sun, low water. USDA zones: 4-9.

For more on pairing shrubs with perennials and grasses, see our article on xeric garden design.

 

Colorado Native Plants Worth Spotlighting

If you’re specifically after a Colorado native garden, these plants evolved in our alkaline clay soils, freeze-thaw cycles, and intense sun. They don’t need coddling once their roots are established, and they support native bees, butterflies, and birds.

Several plants in the top 10 above are Colorado natives worth planting and help anchor your garden: Rocky Mountain Penstemon, Big Bluestem Grass, Chocolate Flower, and Fringed Sage.

Two natives that round out the palette nicely are Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata), a cheerful red-and-yellow daisy that blooms in summer and shrugs off heat, and Blue Grama Grass (Bouteloua gracilis), Colorado’s state grass, which works as a low ornamental accent or a soft, unmowed lawn alternative. Both are widely available and often appear in our Garden In A Box® kits and in Colorado State University Extension’s low-water native plant recommendations.

For more suggestions and planting guidance, visit our resource on Colorado native plants.

 

Drought-Tolerant Ground Covers for Colorado

Ground covers are the unsung heroes of a xeric garden. They shade the soil so less moisture evaporates, crowd out weeds without herbicides, and eliminate the need for thirsty turf grass in sidewalk strips, slopes, and high-traffic corners where foot traffic, play equipment, and footpaths wear out traditional grass fast.

From the top 10 above, Angelina Stonecrop and Fringed Sage are two of our favorite waterwise ground covers for Colorado. Angelina brings chartreuse-to-orange color and cascades well over rocks and walls. Fringed Sage adds silvery texture and holds soil on slopes.

Two more worth considering for Front Range conditions are Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum), a low-growing, walkable ground cover that blooms pink or purple and releases a soft herbal scent when brushed, and Blue Grama Grass planted as a low, unmowed carpet in place of turf. Both handle full sun, poor soil, and drought once established.

For a bigger look at turf-free options, see our article on alternatives to turf grass.

 

How to Set Your Drought-Tolerant Garden Up for Success

The single biggest misconception we hear is that “drought-tolerant” means “no water ever.” It means that once established with regular watering, the plants become resilient. Even the toughest xeric plants need help getting their roots down before they can fend for themselves. Here’s what to expect.

Watering Schedule

In year one, water new plantings at least twice a week while roots establish. Deep, slow soaks are better than quick sprinkles. In this first year, the plants “sleep,” and this year determines whether the garden thrives or struggles later.

In year two, the plants “creep,” and you can begin cutting watering by roughly half. Once a week is usually plenty for most waterwise varieties, and you can start letting the plants show you what they need.

In year three, they “leap,” and many of the plants on this list need little to no supplemental water, though an occasional deep soak during severe drought keeps them looking their best.

Soil Preparation

A quick word on soil. Front Range clay is alkaline and compacted, which is tough for new roots but not a dealbreaker. Work a few inches of compost into the top 6-8 inches of soil at planting time. Don’t over-amend, since most xeric plants actually prefer lean soil once established, and too much rich amendment can cause floppy growth.

Check That Your Sprinkler System Is Running Efficiently

A well-designed drought-tolerant garden tends to earn compliments from neighbors rather than complaints. While you’re rethinking your plants, it’s a good time to make sure your sprinklers are pulling their weight, too. A free sprinkler evaluation through our Slow the Flow program helps you find and fix invisible water waste that, paired with smarter plant selection, produces the biggest overall savings.

 

Not Sure Where to Start? Let Garden In A Box® Do the Planning

If you’re convinced waterwise and drought-tolerant plants are the right move but the “which ones, where, in what combination” question feels overwhelming, that’s exactly the problem Garden In A Box® was built to solve.

What Garden In A Box® Provides

• Plants pre-selected for Colorado’s conditions.
• A plant-by-number map showing where every plant goes.
• A care guide to support your new garden through the seasons.

No design experience required. Kits start at $132, and if your water provider is one of our partners, eligible customers can get a $25 discount, putting a professionally designed low-water garden within reach compared to hiring a landscape company. Plants in our kits are priced at roughly one-third of retail when you factor in the professional selection, pre-planned layout, and care guide included with every order.

Since 2003, we have delivered more than 102,000 kits to Colorado homeowners, and we use what we learn from every one of them to refine what we offer.

Available to order in spring and late summer, Garden In A Box® kits can be ordered directly through our online store. If you’re planning a bigger project and want to replace your lawn with something waterwise, our Lawn Replacement Program helps provide a clean slate for planting your new waterwise landscape.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Drought-Tolerant Plants in Colorado

What Is the Most Drought-Tolerant Plant in Colorado?

There’s not a single “most” drought-tolerant plant, but Colorado natives like Rocky Mountain Penstemon, Fringed Sage, Chocolate Flower, and Rabbitbrush are among the toughest once established. They evolved here, so they handle our alkaline clay, intense sun, and dry summers with almost no supplemental water in year three and beyond.

What Is the Difference Between Drought-Tolerant and Drought-Resistant Plants?

The terms are used almost interchangeably in most gardening resources. Drought-tolerant generally means a plant can survive extended dry periods once its roots are established. Drought-resistant sometimes implies a slightly higher threshold, meaning the plant actively resists water stress. In practice, both describe plants suited to waterwise gardens in Colorado.

Do Drought-Tolerant Plants Need Water at All?

Yes, especially in the early months. In year one, water new plantings at least twice a week so roots can establish. In year two, cut watering by roughly half. From year three onward, most xeric plants need little to no supplemental water, though an occasional deep soak during severe drought keeps them thriving.

Are Drought-Tolerant Plants Good for Pollinators?

Many of them are exceptional pollinator plants. Our 2024 Garden In A Box® Impact Analysis found that 69% of survey respondents rated creating pollinator habitat as a top value of their garden, second only to water efficiency. Penstemon, hyssop, blanketflower, and asters all draw bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. For more, see our article on planting a pollinator-friendly garden.

Can I Replace My Lawn With Drought-Tolerant Plants in Colorado?

Yes, and it’s one of the highest-impact water-saving projects a Colorado homeowner can take on. Turf is the most water-intensive part of most yards. You can replace it with a mix of drought-tolerant perennials, ground covers, and grasses, or start with a Garden In A Box® kit and expand from there. Our Lawn Replacement Program can help set your area up for a waterwise transformation by removing thirsty grass and providing a clean slate for planting low-water alternatives.

What Are the Best Drought-Tolerant Ground Covers for Colorado?

Angelina Stonecrop and Fringed Sage are two of our favorites for Front Range gardens. Creeping Thyme works well in sunny spots where you want something walkable and fragrant, and Blue Grama Grass makes a lovely low, unmowed alternative to turf. All four handle alkaline clay, full sun, and dry conditions once their roots are established.

Want to bring these drought-tolerant plants to your yard? You can find these and other waterwise favorites in many of the Garden In A Box® kits.