Drought and extreme heat are no surprise to Texas homeowners, and because of this, many look for landscape plants that can withstand dry conditions. Texas Water Resource Institute Program Specialist Dean Minchillo, located at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Dallas, helps Texans learn about drought-resistant and water-efficient landscapes.
Minchillo teaches workshops on rainwater harvesting, water conservation for residential landscapes and more.
What makes a plant drought-resistant?
A major misconception is that drought-resistant plants do not require any water at all, he said. Although these species use much less water, “all plants require a little bit of water,” Minchillo said. Instead, what sets drought-resistant plants apart is their ability to “thrive in a hot environment, showing fewer signs of stress than their non-native counterparts.”
Choosing a plant for a landscape can completely depend on the homeowner’s preference, but several groups consistently excel in landscapes prone to drought, he said.
Example of groups of plants that perform well in North Texas:
- Woody Perennials
- Lantana
- Species of Salvias
- Native Trees
- Yaupon
- Oaks
- Cedar Elm
- Ornamental Native Grasses
- Pine muhly
- Seep muhly
When to plant
In North Texas, the planting window is quite wide, but timing can still have an impact.
For major landscape projects, fall planting is ideal. “You should be done by the end of October,” before freeze risk increases, Minchillo said. Spring planting, which ranges from the middle of March through June, is also effective, but late freeze risk is still a possible issue into April.
Common misconceptions about DFW landscapes
Following inaccurate landscaping information or advice can lead to dead or struggling plants. Minchillo frequently covers some of the biggest landscaping misconceptions in his workshops and educational programs.
False: Zero-scaping means no watering.
True: Even drought-resistant plants still need water to survive extreme conditions.
False: Native landscapes look messy.
True: With proper spacing and pruning, native landscapes can be structured. Unruly landscapes result from overcrowding and lack of maintenance, not from the native plants themselves.
False: Low maintenance means no maintenance
True: Many plants die back in the winter and will require seasonal pruning and cutbacks. So, homeowners should expect some routine upkeep.
The biggest reason drought-resistant plants fail is poor placement and overwatering. Minchillo said that “right plant, wrong place,” is the most common mistake he encounters. Sun-loving plants fail in shade, and shade-loving plants will scorch in the sun. Paying special attention to grouping plants together by light and water needs, or hydrozoning, is best practice, he said.
Soil preparation
North Texas soils, such as the Houston Black clay, are dense and can get highly compacted. Adding compost to a landscape’s soil is a sound strategy for healthy landscapes, he said, and it can improve:
- Soil structure
- Water holding capacity
- Microbial activity
“It never hurts to do a little compost amendment, which will improve the soil and improve microbial activity,” Minchillo said. Better soil structure helps plants stretch the amount of time between watering, he said.
Balancing aesthetics, ecology and water use
Minchillo recommends that the landscaping designs be divided into thirds as follows:
- Native plants
- Turfgrass
- Hardscape (such as concrete, patios, or decks)
Turfgrass is not all that bad; it can provide benefits, including cooling and erosion control. However, we should use it more like an area rug rather than a carpet.
Hydrozoning is important, as turfgrass and native plants have different water needs and should not share the same irrigation zone. In most cases, drip irrigation is the preferred method for drought-resistant landscapes, because it reduces water waste, he said.
Conserving water while dealing with current trends
Across the state of Texas, there are several trends that impact residential landscapes.
There are positive developments, such as soil-quality requirements in new communities, mandating native plants, and limits on turfgrass and its footprints. Some cities in Texas are even trying to incentivize removing high-water-use irrigation systems.
But there are still some challenges that remain, including HOA restrictions that limit planting native plants.
Minchillo offered a piece of encouragement to landowners who want to improve their landscaping. “There are no hard rules to using natives,” he said. “Just take that first step to get started. Just get in there, get going and learn as you go.”
Additional resources
For more resources on water-wise residential landscaping in Texas, visit Aggie Horticulture.
For more lists of plants that grow well in Texas, check out Texas Superstar Plants. Texas Superstars® are tested extensively for the many Texas ecoregions. Plant experts from Texas A&M AgriLife, Texas Tech University, county AgriLife Extension horticulturists, the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association and the Texas Department of Agriculture all cooperate in evaluating the adaptability of potential Texas Superstars®.
Visit the Healthy Lawns Healthy Waters program to learn about how residential landscapes can help protect water quality and conserve water.
