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How to make your yard or garden more water efficient during a drought

Matt Meyer and Nexstar Media Wire

(Getty Images)

Drought conditions are nothing new to Californians, who are experiencing an exceptionally dry start to 2022 after there were some brief signs of improvement last winter.

Across the Golden State, residents are trying to get more water-wise. People with large grass yards (and even larger water bills) may be considering alternative groundcovers or even artificial turf for the first time. Gardeners who find their beloved greenery struggling through the summer might be looking for something more hearty.


Whether you’re reimagining your whole approach to landscaping or just looking to add an “unthirsty” new friend, there are plenty of options to consider, KTLA sister station KSWB reported.

Water-conserving plants for California yards

If you’re replacing old landscaping or adding new plants, these options are generally recommended by California’s Department of Water Resources.

Water-wise shrubs

Euryops (Getty Images)

Water-wise trees

Honey Locust (Getty Images)

Water-wise groundcovers

Water-wise wooly silver thyme, golden sedum and blue bellflowers (Getty Images)

Water-wise perennials

Gaillardia grandiflora (Blanket Flower) (Getty Images)

Use these lists as a jumping-off point — depending on your needs, you can check in with a local nursery or the gardening section at a home goods store, where staff will likely have further recommendations.

Even if they don’t carry the specific species you seek, they can point you toward something similar. It’s also worth confirming that there’s nothing in your immediate area’s microclimate that makes one plant less-suited than another.

Take advantage of drought landscaping rebates

Local water districts and government agencies want you to save water — and they’ll help finance your landscaping project, too. Make sure to check for rebates and other incentives if you’re planning to make your yard more drought tolerant.

For example, San Diego County offers rebates for a wide range of initiatives:

The Los Angeles County Waterworks District offers a “Cash for Grass” program, which pays residents by the square-foot for replacing inefficient turf with drought tolerant alternatives.

These are just a few examples — Google your local agencies along with the name of your project and “rebate” or “incentives” to find more. You might be surprised how much you can save.

Ready to dive deeper?

Tackling a large, water-efficient landscaping project is best done with a cohesive plan and a fair bit of research beforehand. Check out these trustworthy sources when you’re ready to learn more: