
Not all plants need the same amount of water. Some need daily drinks and others are like camels and can go for days without a drop. If you don’t get regular rainfall (like our yard this month) and you don’t like wandering around your yard with a hose or watering can, here are some easy tips for water conservation -- and happier plants.
1. Choose Low-Water Plants
Succulents are the way to go for low-maintenance deck plantings. These non-thirsty beauties, left, haven’t been watered for a week and they look splendid. If it doesn’t rain in a couple of days, I’ll give them a drink. Here are more low-water plants.
2. Add Mulch (Even to Containers)
I add a layer of mulch to garden beds—it’s the classic way to reduce watering chores. But I also use this water-saving strategy in pots with open soil. Once the plants have filled in, they will serve as their own mulch.

It’s easier to water when containers are grouped together; you also use less water. Not only can I move the hose from pot to pot without spilling water onto the ground (and wasting it), but a collection of plants (such as this Tropic Escape® mandevilla and Tropic Escape® Sex on the Beach tropical hibiscus) creates a mini ecosystem of humidity that benefits all the plants in a group.
4. Collect Rainwater
Use less water by collecting it from nature. Rain barrels gather up the largess from your downspouts after a big rain storm. And here’s really pretty way to collect water -- with a rain chain.
5. Use Drip Irrigation
Add drip systems to garden beds—and even containers (see photo above). Drip systems direct water to where the plants need it -- the roots. Plus, there’s no loss of water due to evaporation, like what happens when you use a sprinkler. Here are more helpful tips for watering plants (both indoors and out).
Learn more about the water-saving gardening technique known as xeriscaping.
Written by Karen Weir-Jimerson