10 Plants We Love for West Coast Drought Tolerant Landscapes

At Eco Landscape Design & Build, many of the gardens we design and install feature plants from our curated list of favorites. This list has developed over time, shaped not only by our evolving design aesthetic but, more importantly, by our experience with what thrives in the unique climates of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. Having a beautiful garden is amazing – but having a drought tolerant, low maintenance and long lasting, beautiful garden is our top priority!  From the bold, architectural forms of agaves and yuccas, to the soft textures of grasses, and accent pops of color, the plants on our list can be used alone, in mono-plantings or combined in thoughtful pairings to create sophisticated gardens. Perfect for homes of any style and landscapes of any size, these plants are a key part of a planting palette that allow us to design spaces that are both beautiful and practical, bringing lasting joy to our clients.

Here are 10 drought tolerant plants we love:

1. AGAVE BLUE FLAME

Agave Blue flame are one of our favorite additions to the Los Angeles landscapes we design and install. With their bold, sculptural form and flame like appearance—accented by wavy, flame shaped leaves — and their striking blue-gray color that adds a cool, serene touch to any gardent, they create a dramatic focal point, whether planted alone or pairings. Unlike other agaves, Blue Flame agaves are long-lasting and rarely flower (which can cause them to die after blooming), making them a reliable and enduring choice for your landscape. Growing up to 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide, they do get large so please make sure you plan enough space. Perfectly suited to the region’s dry climate, these agaves are highly drought-tolerant and require minimal water once established, making them both a beautiful and eco-friendly choice for water-conscious gardens. Their low maintenance and architectural appeal make blue flame agaves a standout feature in Southern California’s landscape design.

2. LOMANDRA LONGIFOLIA

Lomandra longifolia is another of our favorite plants for its versatile and low-maintenance qualities. Its adaptability to both sun and shade makes it an excellent choice for a variety of garden conditions, while its impressive drought tolerance helps conserve water in the arid climate. Beyond its hardiness, Lomandra longifolia also adds a soft, flowing texture to many of the gardens we design that feature more structural plants like agaves and yuccas. Its graceful, arching foliage balances out the boldness of these spiky, architectural plants, creating a relaxing and visually appealing landscape. Whether used as a ground cover or accent plant, Lomandra longifolia thrives with little effort, making it a top pick for water-wise, beautiful gardens.

3. AGAVE ATTENUATA

Agave attenuata, with its striking, soft, and sculptural form, is a standout plant for Los Angeles landscapes. Thriving in both sun and partial shade, this drought-tolerant agave is perfect for the region’s dry conditions. Its bold, architectural presence adds a graphic quality to gardens, while its ability to produce "pups" or baby plants around the base makes it a fantastic option for shady spots where other plants may struggle. These pups spread naturally, creating a lush, low-maintenance ground cover that fills in beautifully over time. Agave attenuata combines beauty, resilience, and ease of care, making it an ideal choice for water-wise gardens. The variegated variety bring a lovely sense of light to darker shady areas.

4. LITTLE OLLIE

Little Ollies are often found in our gardens throughout Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, and pair nicely with gardens that include olive trees. Their stunning blue-gray foliage adds a cool, sophisticated touch to modern, drought-tolerant gardens. These versatile shrubs can grow quite large, so regular trimming is recommended to maintain their shape and prevent overgrowth. Whether used as a standalone specimen with ample space to show off their natural form or planted in a row to create a sleek, low-maintenance hedge, Little Ollies add structure and texture to any garden. We love incorporating them into our designs, as they bring both beauty and resilience to the spaces we create.

5. GREEN AEONIUMS

Green Aeoniums offer both beauty and practicality. With their rosette-shaped, flower-like structure and vibrant lime green color, they add a fresh, eye-catching pop to gardens. Green Aeoniums are not only beautiful on their own but also incredibly versatile when paired with other plants, one combination we particularly love is pairing Mint Saucer Green Aeoniums with Sego Palms. The contrast between the soft, rounded form of the Aeoniums and the bold, architectural structure of the Sego Palm creates a stunning visual balance. Highly drought-tolerant, these succulents are perfect for the region’s dry climate and will spread over time to fill in areas, creating a lush, dense ground cover. One of their standout qualities is their ability to thrive in shade, making them an excellent solution for those tricky, hard-to-plant spots that other plants might struggle with. Whether planted in clusters, larger sections, or in combination with other plants, Green Aeoniums brighten up shaded areas with color and fullness, making them a beloved addition to any drought tolerant garden.

6. DIETES GRANDIFLORA 'VARIEGATA'

Dietes grandiflora 'Variegata' is another drought tolerant regular in the landscapes we design, offering both beauty and versatility. This hardy plant thrives in both sun and shade, making it perfect for a variety of garden conditions. Its medium height adds a balanced presence to the landscape. The striking variegated foliage—highlighted by creamy white and green stripes—adds year-round interest, while its delicate white flowers bring a touch of brightness and color during their blooming season. With its ability to thrive in diverse conditions, and its subtle yet elegant flowers, Dietes grandiflora 'Variegata' is a go-to plant for creating low-maintenance, visually appealing gardens.

7. WESTRINGIA FRUCTOSIA

Westringia fruticosa is a drought-tolerant plant that brings an elegant, sophisticated touch to many of the gardens we design. Its green, silver or variegated foliage adds a soft, light quality that beautifully contrasts with the bold, architectural forms of plants like agaves and yuccas, making it an ideal companion for a wide range of our favorite plants. Whether used as a standalone feature, in combination with other plants, or as part of a low-maintenance hedge, Westringia provides year-round interest. We commonly select the Smokey or Morning light varieties that have a more compact size, ensuring they won't outgrow or overcrowd the garden.

8. ECHEVERIA ‘AFTERGLOW’

Echeveria 'Afterglow' is a great accent for gardens that focus on many textures of green, because it adds the perfect pop of color. Its stunning, soft pink to lavender hue contrasts beautifully with the cooler tones of other succulents and drought-tolerant plants, adding a touch of vibrancy and warmth. Compact and low-maintenance, this Echeveria thrives with minimal water. Please note, they can be delicate and should be installed with care, as their leaves may break easily if not handled properly. Whether used in a garden setting or in containers, Echeveria 'Afterglow' provides a striking burst of color that will bring your garden to life year-round.

9. PITTOSPORUM ‘SILVERSHEEN’

Pittosporum 'Silversheen' is a lovely, elegant addition to the landscapes we design at Eco Landscape. Its silvery-green foliage and striking black branches bring warmth and sophistication, making it a standout feature in many of our drought tolerant gardens. Ideal for taller spaces, it works beautifully against a house to soften the appearance of large areas of stucco or as a backdrop to other plants. Whether used alone, in small runs, or as a long hedge, Pittosporum 'Silversheen' provides height and structure without overwhelming the space, thanks to its delicate, lacey texture that adds vertical interest without too much density. This versatile shrub brings a refined, timeless quality to any landscape design.

10. ALOE

Aloes are a plant we frequently incorporate into our gardens. Their unique, sculptural shapes, along with a range of green hues and vibrant flowers, create eye-catching focal points that bring life and color to the landscape. These versatile plants can be grouped together in mulitiples for striking displays or used within a larger palette to accentuate softer forms and textures. Whether planted in clusters or as standalone accents, aloes provide year-round interest, and are so easy to grow, making them ideal for drought-tolerant landscapes. While they thrive in full sun, aloes also do best in areas that offer some light shade throughout the day, especially during the heat of the Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley summers.

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