12 Best Herbs for a Drought Garden

The best herbs for a drought garden are ones that will not grow in other conditions and will be able to tolerate dry conditions. These herbs will also have the ability to survive the changing seasons and thrive in either a sunny or shady location.

Herbs that do well in a dry climate include basil, which is often grown outdoors in containers. Basil can be grown in a container with good drainage as well as being drought tolerant.

Sage is able to grow in a container and thrive in a dry climate. It should have good drainage in order to keep the soil moist but not soggy.

Mint has long been known for its medicinal properties, and this herb is still growing as one of the best herbs for a drought garden. This plant can be planted from seed, and it will often do very well when transplanted into a larger container.

These perennial herbs will often come out of dormancy in the spring and will grow again the following year. They are also a good choice for a greenhouse as they can tolerate more heat and light.

Herbs that will be perfect for a drought garden can include: sweet marjoram, chives, basil, oregano, thyme, and dill. These herbs are the best herbs for a drought garden because they are easy to grow and can tolerate both summer heat.

Sage

Sage grows best in areas of the country that have dry soil throughout the year. When it is planted, it starts to develop a large root that will spread around making it hard for soil to hold in water.

It also creates a deep, waxy coat on the leaves which allows it to withstand water and keep it hydrated, even in the driest conditions. This allows the plant to withstand short periods of drought and grow back to its full growth capacity in less than ideal conditions.

Oregano

One of the reasons why Oregano is very popular for landscaping is because it does not need a lot of water. All you really need is about an inch and a half of water a week on average to keep your plant from going into dormancy.

The leaves will remain green even in the driest weather, and some even flower well in dry areas. Some prefer a bit more water than others, and many varieties can handle some pretty severe conditions such as strong winds, though the majority will thrive without such heavy watering.

Rosemary

There are a lot of different types of plants that can be said to be drought tolerant. One of the best types is Rosemary, which is native to Europe. Rosemary has the ability to survive in dry conditions, and this comes in very useful if you have some type of plant that tends to dry out a lot.

Rosemary is able to survive without moisture, but if there is moisture in the air, then it will try to stay alive by going into a dormant state for as long as possible. If you have a Rosemary in your home, you may notice that it is going through a period of dormancy now and then.

Lavender

The first time you see a tree with sprigs of lavender all over it, you may be tempted to pluck them from the tree. You shouldn’t do this because they will soon start to wilt. Lavender flowers and leaves are made up of water, so just because they wilt doesn’t mean they aren’t worth the effort.

Many people who grow lavender know how to use it to their advantage by watering the plants less than usual, and then putting some pumice stone or other substance on top of the plant when the water supply is low. This helps prevent the roots from getting waterlogged

Borage

The plant is actually a member of the mint family and the leaves are quite small. They can grow in full sun or shaded to partial shade, and they do pretty well in all conditions. The flowers have four petals and there is no scent emitted, which makes them very popular with children. They are also used for culinary purposes such as in Chinese recipes.

The borage plant is quite adaptable to all environments, and they love to grow in the garden. They do best in well-drained soil. You will want to give the borage plant at least one inch of water each week to keep the soil moist. Do not over-water them, because it will cause root rot. 

Thyme

Thyme is a deciduous shrub with small white flowers that are used for flavoring and culinary purposes. When first introduced in France, it was widely used as a herbaceous plant but was later on recognized as a valuable woody plant. Thyme is actually a very tough and hardy shrub that can survive for centuries under low or no moisture conditions.

While Thyme has been used by humans for ages, it wasn’t until the early 1900’s that it became a popular garden plant. Now, it is widely recognized as a good choice for any garden. It can be used for decorations, for cooking, and as a source of culinary herbs. 

Chives

Chives is a drought resistant herb with a pungent flavor that grows in both Europe and North America. Its roots and leaves are used in cooking and in medicine. The Chives’ foliage is very dense and waxy. This thick material of leaves helps keep the plant cool. They are very low-maintenance plants. They don’t require much attention and don’t require pruning. Because they’re so hardy, it’s no wonder that Chives are very popular for gardeners.

The Chives can survive in an almost any climate. They don’t need a lot of sun or even soil moisture to survive. They thrive in soil rich in nitrogen and other nutrients and in rich, dark, and damp conditions. It can also tolerate some shade. Most Chives will bloom in the spring after the soil has had a chance to fully absorb the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in the soil.

Mint

The Mint plant has a natural ability to make use of moisture in its environment and therefore can take advantage of many situations in which moisture is not readily available. It has a tendency to thrive in soil that has a higher content of nutrients that help the plant to stay healthy. This also means that the plant does not need a lot of water to be kept in a healthy state.

Mint will grow well in most areas and is often found in locations that are prone to having drought conditions. They are often grown in conjunction with other types of plants to provide a balance in terms of how much each plant is exposed to water. The main advantage of growing these plants together is that they will help to keep the soil around them dry, and will not allow it to become too saturated with water.

Lemon Balm

The Lemon Balm thrives well in dry environments and can be planted anywhere where other plants and trees might require a little water. In a large container it will grow tall and bushy but can still be kept short by pruning. You can also cut back the amount of water needed by pruning.

This tree needs no extra moisture when it is young, and as it matures, it should be watered once every week. If you plant it in your yard, you should cover the soil with bark at night to prevent root rot. When in full sun, it requires very little water. Another great thing about the Lemon Balm is that it is easy to maintain and it is low maintenance.

Marjoram

Marjoram plant is known for its medicinal qualities, however it is also known to be a natural, drought-tolerant, and pest repellent. Another reason why many choose marjoram for the outdoors is that it does not require watering. This leaves the plants without needing a regular supply of water.

This is a great option if you live in dry areas where your water supply may be erratic and not as reliable as in areas where it is not possible to have a regular supply. Marjoram is a perennial and has a short season of growth, from spring up to summer. However, when it does flower it comes back with spectacular beauty.

Dill

Dill can grow in very dry areas. For instance in the United States, it has been found growing in a number of states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Utah. In Canada, it is also known as “the American Dill”.

The root of the Dill plant has been known to grow in the soil of arid regions. It does well in this type of environment and is therefore a great option for those who want to grow this type of weed. It starts to grow in the summer, so the best time for planting is from late spring to early summer. 

Basil

Basil plants are commonly found growing in desert areas. They are adapted to this kind of environment, and they thrive. However, just because they are adapted to living in dry climates doesn’t mean that they can live without water. Many people are surprised to learn that their basil plant does well in dry climates.

A lot of people are used to planting basil in pots where it gets no water at all. If you are growing your basil plant in containers, you should ensure that you water it thoroughly once a week. Otherwise, the leaves and roots can rot or get damaged by leaves that have dried out.