A landscaped garden featuring drought-tolerant plants such as lavender, blue fescue, and yellow yarrow with mulch ground cover. Overlaid text reads, "What Are the Best Drought-Tolerant Plants?"

What Are the Best Drought-Tolerant Plants for Utah? Smart Choices for Low-Water Landscaping

Landscaping Tips
June 04, 2025•4 min read

A beautifully landscaped, drought-tolerant front yard in Utah featuring mulch-covered planting beds, native shrubs, ornamental grasses, yarrow, lavender, and blue fescue, with a stepping stone path winding through and mountains visible in the background.

Living in Utah means learning how to thrive in a semi-arid climate—and your yard should be no different. With long summers, hot temperatures, and water restrictions becoming more common, drought-tolerant landscaping is no longer just trendy—it’s essential.

So, what are the best drought-tolerant plants for Utah homeowners?
As a professional landscape design company serving Utah’s diverse regions, we’ve compiled a list of water-wise plants that are beautiful, low-maintenance, and proven performers in Zones 4–7.

Why Choose Drought-Tolerant Plants in Utah?

Utah landscapes face unique challenges:

  • Hot, dry summers

  • Low annual precipitation

  • High elevation in many areas

  • Occasional drought conditions

By choosing native and adapted drought-tolerant plants, you’ll:

  • Use significantly less water

  • Reduce maintenance and upkeep

  • Support local pollinators and wildlife

  • Create a resilient, sustainable landscape

Top Drought-Tolerant Plants for Utah Landscapes

A close-up view of tall magenta Penstemon (Beardtongue) flowers in full bloom, with slender green stems and a softly blurred garden background.

Penstemon (Beardtongue)

Zone: 3–8
Known for its upright blooms in pinks, purples, and reds, penstemon is a native Utah favorite. It's ideal for dry slopes and pollinator gardens.

Sun: Full sun

Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer

Why We Love It: Thrives in poor soil, attracts hummingbirds

A close-up of Blue Grama Grass (Bouteloua gracilis) growing in a sunny meadow, featuring fine blue-green blades and distinctive curved seed heads against a soft green background.

Blue Grama Grass (Bouteloua gracilis)

Zone: 4–9
This native ornamental grass offers fine texture, movement, and impressive drought resistance.

Sun: Full sun

Height: 12–18 inches

Why We Love It: Excellent lawn alternative or border filler

A cluster of Blanket Flowers (Gaillardia aristata) in full bloom with bright yellow and red petals, set against green foliage and blurred soil in the background.

Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata)

Zone: 3–9
With fiery yellow, orange, and red petals, blanket flower blooms all summer long with little water.

Sun: Full sun

Bloom Time: Summer to fall

Why We Love It: Long blooming and great for pollinators

A close-up of Apache Plume (Fallugia paradoxa) displaying white five-petal flowers with yellow centers and pink feathery seed heads, surrounded by fine green foliage.

Apache Plume (Fallugia paradoxa)

Zone: 4–9
This semi-evergreen shrub thrives in Utah’s dry, rocky soils and produces delicate white flowers followed by feathery seed heads.

Sun: Full sun

Height: 4–6 feet

Why We Love It: Native, low-maintenance, and deer-resistant

A vibrant cluster of Salvia nemorosa with tall purple-blue flower spikes and green foliage, captured in sharp focus against a softly blurred natural background.

Salvia (Salvia nemorosa)

Zone: 4–9
With vertical purple spikes and fragrant foliage, salvia is a water-wise beauty that reblooms with minimal care.

Sun: Full sun to light shade

Bloom Time: Late spring to fall

Why We Love It: Easy to grow, attracts bees and butterflies

A Utah serviceberry (Amelanchier utahensis) shrub in bloom, displaying clusters of white flowers with yellow centers and green oval leaves on slender brown branches.

Utah Serviceberry (Amelanchier utahensis)

Zone: 4–7
This hardy native shrub offers four-season interest: spring flowers, edible berries, fall color, and a beautiful winter silhouette.

Sun: Full sun to part shade

Height: 6–12 feet

Why We Love It: Edible fruit, native, and bird-friendly

A Fernbush (Chamaebatiaria millefolium) in bloom with upright spikes of small white flowers and fern-like green foliage, set against a rocky, natural background.

Fernbush (Chamaebatiaria millefolium)

Zone: 4–8
Native to Utah's deserts and mountains, fernbush has aromatic, fern-like foliage and creamy white flowers in midsummer.

Sun: Full sun

Bloom Time: Mid to late summer

Why We Love It: Adaptable and perfect for xeriscaping

A cluster of Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum spp.) succulent plants with green rosettes edged in reddish-purple, growing among a bed of decorative rocks.

Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum spp.)

Zone: 3–8
These low-growing succulents are ideal for rock gardens, containers, and dry zones.

Sun: Full sun to part shade

Height: 2–6 inches

Why We Love It: Cold-hardy, colorful, and low profile

Two Rocky Mountain Columbine (Aquilegia coerulea) flowers in bloom with soft lavender-blue petals, white inner petals, and yellow stamens, set against green foliage and a blurred brown background.

Rocky Mountain Columbine (Aquilegia coerulea)

Zone: 3–8
Utah's state flower thrives in dry shade with unique two-tone petals in blue, white, and lavender.

Sun: Part shade

Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer

Why We Love It: Native and deer-resistant

A close-up of Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) in bloom, with tall lavender-blue flower spikes and silvery stems, set against a softly blurred green background.

Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)

Zone: 4–9
This silvery, fragrant plant thrives in tough soils and produces tall, lavender-blue plumes all summer long.

Sun: Full sun

Height: 3–5 feet

Why We Love It: Long bloom time, heat tolerant, and low-maintenance

Bonus Tips for Growing Drought-Tolerant Plants in Utah

  • Mulch deeply to retain moisture and reduce weeds.

  • Group plants by water need so you can water efficiently.

  • Water deeply but infrequently to encourage deeper root growth.

  • Use native plants whenever possible—they’re adapted to our soil, climate, and pests.

A well-landscaped front yard featuring Penstemon, Blanket Flower, and Russian Sage among mulched garden beds, stone paths, and neatly trimmed shrubs, with a beige house and trees in the background.

Want a Low-Water Yard That Still Looks Incredible?

We specialize in custom landscape designs that work with Utah’s natural conditions—not against them. That means fewer irrigation headaches, lower utility bills, and a landscape that looks amazing all year long.

Whether you're building a xeriscape from scratch or replacing part of your current lawn with native plantings, our team can help you create a beautiful, sustainable yard that saves water without sacrificing style.

Final Thoughts

Utah’s climate might be dry, but your yard doesn’t have to be dull. With the right drought-tolerant plants and a smart design plan, you can enjoy a colorful, vibrant landscape that thrives in the heat and looks amazing with minimal water.

Ready to build a low-water, high-impact landscape in Utah?
Contact us today for a personalized design consultation—we’ll help you create a yard that’s beautiful, functional, and built to thrive in our unique climate.

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