Water. It's the single most important feature plants need to survive. During excessive heat spells and times of water rationing, providing that necessity can become quite expensive and sometimes impossible. With the rise of drought conditions worldwide, many gardeners are turning to water wise gardening and introducing drought tolerant plants to the landscape.

Just what is a drought tolerant plant?

A plant that can survive with minimal care during periods of low to no rainfall would be considered drought tolerant. Plants that are native to your climate and region are usually considered drought tolerant. They don't require pampering and watering every day because they’re designed to tolerate the climate they were born in. This does not mean they can be neglected and forgotten: they are not drought resistant plants such as the cacti family. They still need watering once a week if the weather requires it.

How do they conserve water?

The most obvious way drought tolerant and drought resistant plants save you money is a lower water bill. These amazing conservation-minded plants are specially built to be water misers. Here are some of their unique features:

• Extensive Root System -Many native perennials are water wise due to their long-reaching roots which allow them to search far down in the soil to access water.
• Fat Leaves – This plump shaped leaf allows moisture to be stored..
• Waxy Leaves – The shiny surface of a waxy leaf reflects the glare of the sun and slows down evaporation. The waxy coating also helps seal in moisture.
• Lacy Leaves -Another feature of some water wise plants is the small, lacy leaves that leave little area for evaporation.
• Silver or Hairy Leaves – Silver hued plants usually are not really silver, but covered with a fuzzy surface. These small “hairs” help keep in moisture and also protect the leaf from the heat of the sun.

Native plants are hardier.

Another way drought tolerant plants can save you money is with their longer lifespan. They're much hardier than non-native varieties and will have a better chance of survival during adverse conditions. You can have a garden full of lovely gardenias or exotic roses, but if they are not indigenous to the area or climate, you will have to pamper them with your attention constantly. Exotics and non-natives are much more likely to succumb to disease, incorrect watering conditions and climate changes. Natives are scrappy and built to survive in their particular climate, able to prosper even in adverse conditions.

Drought tolerant plants still need initial watering.

There's one way gardeners can waste money when planting drought tolerant plants. Once these are transplanted into their new beds don’t assume they will take care of themselves right away. During the first month, all new plants need additional watering to allow growth of a good root system. They need ample water to give them a good start, then they can survive on one good soaking (about 15-20 minutes) a week if the weather dictates.

Save money with drought tolerant plants.

Why force a plant to grow where it naturally would not? Try a water wise garden with native drought tolerant plants. These plants help you save money because they're hardier, require less maintenance and have naturally built-in water conservation features. Exchange water guzzling flowers with drought tolerant water sippers and see how easy gardening can be.