Top Drought Tolerant Native Plants

The toughest Ontario native plants for hot, dry, full sun gardens.

It’s time to embrace your sun-drenched, dry garden!

While traditional horticulture urges us to add compost, lay down mulch, and install irrigation systems to nourish plants, that’s often costly and unnecessary.

Instead, focus on selecting plants that truly belong in your environment, like Butterfly Milkweed or Pearly Everlasting—both thriving without a drop of added water or soil amendments once established. These resilient plants are adapted to thrive in harsh conditions, and in fact, excess water or nutrients can harm them. Butterfly Milkweed, for example, can rot in constantly moist soil from irrigation, meanwhile it will thrive in the driest soil you can throw at it!

In addition, soil amendments may introduce weed seeds to your garden (I’ve seen purple Loostrife growing out of piles of topsoil at landscaping depots!) encourage weeds to thrive in newly rich soil that they couldn’t have thrived in before.

So skip the amendments, save time and money, and let nature do what it does best!

For drought tolerant native plants for shade, see Native Plants For Dry Shade. Working with a boulevard garden? See our article on Native Plants For Boulevard Gardens.

Drought Tolerant Ontario Native Plants

Sun - part sun, 45cm/18 inch tall, most well-draining soils.

Nodding Onion is a care-free and dependable solution for that hot, dry corner in the garden that has been troubling you. It sports attractive, grass-like foliage that remains green through the toughest dry-spells. The whimsical, nodding clusters of light purple to pink flowers bloom through summer and are a magnet for bumblebees and hummingbirds alike. The flowers mature into nodding seed heads that persist into the winter to show off their black seeds.

Nodding Onion is an ideal plant for poor, dry soils where space is limited.

Sun - part sun, 60cm/2ft tall, sand/sandy loam/gravel, average - dry soils.

Pearly Everlasting is a low, mounding plant with silvery-green foliage. Clusters of small white flowers with yellow centers bloom from mid-late summer and support a myriad of small pollinators. It grows reliably well in nutrient poor soil and is often seen growing in the gravel along roadsides so you know it is tough! It can spread quickly by rhizomes but its spread is much more tame in dry soils.

Host plant for American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis) and Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) butterflies.

Sun - light shade, 2m/7ft tall, Sand/loam/clay, seasonally wet, average, dry.

Big Bluestem is a tall, warm season bunchgrass and is one of the defining grasses of Ontario's tallgrass prairie ecosystem. It's roots can grow down 10ft deep! An excellent structural plant which remains standing well into the winter months where it shows off reddish-bronze foliage.

Host plant for Dusted Skipper (Atrytonopsis hianna) and Delaware Skipper (Anatrytone logan).

Long-headed Anemone (Anemone cylindrica)

Full sun to part shade, 60–90 cm/24–36 in tall, sand/loam/rocky, dry - average soil moisture.

Long-headed Anemone is a robust and compact perennial that thrives in the dry conditions of prairies, meadows and open woodlands. This plant features star-like flowers that stand tall above the foliage on thin stems. They bloom from late spring to early summer and support many native pollinators. The flowers mature into elongated, thimble-like seed heads that become fluffy and cotton-like as they dry. Long-headed anemone is especially well-suited to gardens that require a reliable, drought tolerant and compact plant. It maintains a well-behaved, clumping habit unlike some other anemones.

Sun - part sun <30cm/1ft tall, sand/loam/clay/rocky, dry - average.

Field Pussytoes is a drought tolerant, ground-hugging groundcover with gray-green leaves. The early spring flowers are an important food source for pollinators and turn into fluffy, cotton-like seed heads in early summer. It spreads quickly but it's low stature means it won't crowd out other plants. This plant actually prefers barren, nutrient poor soils where most other plants don’t dare grow. Rich or moist soil will reduce its lifespan. Do not pair with taller, more aggressive plants.

Sun - light shade, 90cm/3ft tall, Sand/loam/clay, average-dry soil. Must be well drained.

Butterfly Milkweed is a staple plant for dry, sunny gardens! It thrives in well-drained, sandy soils and takes on extended droughts without skipping a beat. In fact, the roots may rot if not given highly draining soil. The low, compact form and clumping habit make it suitable for small or formal gardens.

The bright orange flowers provide an energizing colour that is highly sought-after in wildflower gardens but hard to come by. They provide an abundant source of nectar for pollinators.

Host plant for the Monarch Butterfly and is highly deer resistant.

Sun, < 90cm/3ft tall, loam/clay-loam/sand or gravel. Prefers nutrient poor soils. Dry to slightly moist. Must be well-drained.

Whorled Milkweed is a low growing milkweed that finds its home in dry, nutrient poor soils where competition from taller plants is reduced. Small, narrow leaves are found in whorls along the solitary stem and provide a wonderful backdrop to the clusters of fragrant, creamy white, mid-summer flowers. Spreads by rhizomes to form colonies. Monarch caterpillars love this one because the small, tender leaves are easy to eat.

Full sun - light shade,1.2m/4ft, sand/loam/clay/rocky. Adapts to most well-drained soils. Dry to average moisture. Must be well-drained.

It’s hard not to fall in love with this one! New Jersey Tea is a tough, compact shrub that is unphased by tough, dry conditions. The clusters of fragrant white flowers bloom in early summer and support a wide diversity of pollinators including Hummingbirds. The deep taproot allows it to tolerate severe drought, fires and even periodic browsing from herbivores (once established). Rich or moist soil will cause root rot. The leaves make a pleasant tea.

Sun - light shade, 60cm/2ft tall, sand/loam/clay, dry - average soil. Must be well-drained.

Lanceleaf Coreopsis is a cheerful plant with showy yellow flowers. It is a short-lived, clumping perennial but will stick around by self-seeding. This plant thrives in dry, infertile soils and will even grow in nearly pure sand. One of the most attractive features of lanceleaf coreopsis is its long bloom time, with successive flushes of blooms lasting over a month. The flowers attract a wide diversity of pollinators including skippers and native bees.

Sun - part sun,15cm/6", sand/loam/clay, average - dry soils. Adaptable and tough.

A fast-spreading, salt tolerant, adaptable ground cover with pleasing spring blooms. Tolerates road salt, compaction, drought and light foot traffic. Forms a dense carpet in full sun but will tolerate light shade. It is very competitive in sunny areas and will smother plants smaller than itself, especially when grown in rich soil. In dry conditions, however, it is much better behaved. The early spring flowers are attractive to a diversity of pollinators and look stunning en masse. Can be a good addition to no-mow lawns.

Sun - part sun, 1.5m/5ft tall, sand/loam/clay, average - dry soil.

Oxeye Sunflower is not a true sunflower (Helianthus) but it looks and acts quite similar. It’s very adaptable and will grow reliably well in a wide variety of conditions in your garden. This is usually the earliest sunflower to bloom, starting in mid-summer, and has a long bloom time.

Very tough, adaptable and forgiving. It is a prolific spreader by seed, even in the driest of soils, so make sure to give it some space.

The large, open flowers make a great landing spot for all types of bees and butterflies. The seed heads provide great winter interest and feed birds with oil-rich seeds.

Cylindrical Blazing Star (Liatris cylindracea)

Sun - part sun, 30-60cm/1-2ft tall, sand/loam/clay, average - dry soil.

Cylindrical Blazing Star is a striking prairie native known for its drought tolerance and resilience. Don’t let its small size and delicate look fool you - this blazing star thrives in dry, rocky soils where many other plants struggle, making it a perfect choice for low-water gardens or xeriscaping. Its compact, upright growth, topped by dense spikes of pink to purple flowers, makes it ideal for adding beauty to small spaces while attracting bees and butterflies from midsummer through early fall. Because it naturally occurs in sandy and gravelly soils, Liatris cylindracea easily withstands extended dry periods without supplemental watering once its established.

Wild Lupin (Lupinus perennis)

Sun - part sun, 30-60m/1-2ft tall, sand/loam, dry - average soil

Wild Lupin is a drought-tolerant native perennial that thrives in sandy, well-drained soils with low fertility, making it an excellent choice for tough sites. Known for its stunning blue to purple flower spikes, this plant blooms in late spring to early summer and is highly attractive to pollinators, especially native bees and butterflies. Wild Lupin is also the host plant for the endangered Karner Blue butterfly (extripated in Ontario), adding important ecological value to its ornamental appeal. With its deep taproot, it efficiently accesses soil moisture during dry periods, making it resilient in dry, sunny locations.

Full sun to part sun, 0.6m/2ft tall, sand/loam, dry - average soil

Spotted Mint is a bushy, clump-forming, short-lived perennial that can thrive in some of the driest conditions you can throw at it. This sun-loving monarda has distinctive yellow flowers with purple spots that are backed by light pink bracts, creating a unique and charming look. These flowers are more than just decorative - they support a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Its resilience and ecological benefits, combined with its unique appearance, make it a must-have for gardeners interested in native, drought-tolerant Ontario native plants.

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia cespitosa)

Full sun, 30cm/1ft tall, sand/rocky/loam, dry well-drained soil

Eastern Prickly Pear is a hardy, drought-tolerant native cactus that thrives in Ontario's dry, sandy, rocky and well-drained soils. This compact plant, which rarely exceeds 1 foot in height, features flat, spiny pads and bright yellow flowers that bloom in the summer, followed by edible red fruit. It is well-suited to rock garden, offering both aesthetic value and wildlife benefits. The flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Eastern Prickly Pear is highly adaptable to harsh, dry conditions and will actually suffer in moist or rich soils.

Full sun to part sun, 60cm/2ft tall, sand/loam/rocky, dry - average soil

Hairy Penstemon is a versatile and compact native perennial that thrives in dry, rocky, or shallow soils. It adds colour and wildlife value to dry, sunny landscapes with its spikes of pink to lavender tubular flowers. Expect to see bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds visit while it blooms in early summer.

The seed heads persist into the winter months to provide striking seasonal interest.

This is a very compact plant with a well-behaved growth habit so it is ideal for small spaces.

Full sun, 6ocm/3ft tall, sand/loam/clay, dry - average soil

Little Bluestem is a native, warm-season grass that adds striking vertical interest and texture to prairie and meadow gardens. This grass provides year-round visual appeal with airy, blue-green foliage that persists through the heat of summer. Come fall, the leaves turn a brilliant coppery-orange colour that persists into the winter months, contrasting wonderfully with the snow. Although drought-resistant once established, Little Bluestem is not overly reliant on dry conditions, making it adaptable to a range of garden environments. Its fluffy seed heads are a valuable food source for birds and look great when backlit by the afternoon sun.

Learn more about native grasses here.

 Full sun - light shade, 30-75cm tall (tallest on rich soils), sand/clay/loam/ gravelly. Dry to average.

Grey Goldenrod tolerates the harsh conditions of dry, gravelly soils without compromising on beauty. It has an elegant, compact form and provides vibrant yellow blooms in the fall meaning its great for adding beauty and ecological value to tight spaces.Bees and butterflies go nuts for all goldenrods and this one is no different. Goldenrods are excellent host plants for a variety of butterfly and moth larvae.

It can be a prolific spreader via seed but you can cut back seed heads in the fall to mitigate its spread.

Learn more about native goldenrods here.

Full sun, 90cm/3ft, sand/well-drained loam/rocky/gravelly, dry - average.

Heath Aster is a resilient native perennial that thrives in dry, well-drained soils. Known for its compact size and striking clusters of white flowers, it makes a perfect addition to gardens that demand stunning blooms in the driest of soils. This species is especially appreciated for its drought tolerance and is often found thriving on in sandy, rocky and barren ground. Its ability to perform well in poor, sandy soils also makes it a versatile choice for adding wildlife value and beauty to sunny garden beds. Ideal for attracting pollinators, Heath Aster blooms in late summer and continues to support the ecosystem by providing nectar to bees and butterflies. It can self-seed prolifically but in densely planted gardens this shouldn’t be an issue.

Learn more about native asters here.

Sun,1.2m/4ft 30cm, sand-loam/loam/clay-loam, dry - average. Must be well-drained.

Smooth Blue Aster is a standout choice for tough, dry locations, thanks to its striking blue flowers and remarkable resilience in drought conditions. This perennial thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, with little care once established. It naturally grows in prairies and open woods, adapting well to a variety of soil types, including loam and clay. Smooth Blue Aster blooms in late summer through fall, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies with its copious blooms when they are needed most. Its drought resistance allows it to continue flourishing through dry spells, although its lower leaves may fall off. To mitigate this, pair with lower growing companions that can hide its base.

Learn more about native asters here.

Sun - part sun, 1.2m/4ft, sand/loam/rocky, dry - average  

Hoary Vervain adds an elegant vertical presence to the driest and sunniest of gardens. It is best known for its spiky clusters of lavender to purple flowers that bloom from mid-summer into fall, it provides beauty in the toughest of site. Preferring full sun and well-drained soils, this plant excels in dry conditions once established. In fact, you will often see it growing in dry sandy soils where few other plants dare to grow. Its resilience to drought and ability to attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, make it an ideal choice for prairie and meadow gardens that won’t be receiving supplemental water. Note that this is a short-lived perennial and will persist in the landscape via self-seeding.

These resources are provided for free by In Our Nature

We design gardens that reconnect natural plant communities with our modern landscapes. Our approach integrates four seasons of beauty and ecological value to your garden while reducing maintenance for you.