MYTH:  Drought-tolerant plants don't need to be watered

MYTH BUSTERS SERIES

THE FACTS

ALL plants NEED WATER.

Drought-tolerant plants are those that, once established, will survive receiving low levels of rainfall or watering.

Plants considered drought-tolerant typically have EXTENSIVE root systems.

Newly-installed trees or shrubs, drought-tolerant or not, LACK the root system needed to draw in sufficient moisture, thus require adequate irrigation to establish sufficient root systems.

• All plants need weekly watering during the first year, to establish roots.

A drought-tolerant, water-conserving landscape is not going to grow as quickly or vigorously as the same landscape under increased irrigation.

• No plant will grow vigorously without adequate moisture, but drought-tolerant species will survive prolonged droughts.

If water is available, many drought-tolerant plant species will actually use more water than typical landscape plants!

Sources:
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/403/2015/03/xeriscaping.pdf

OKANAGAN WATERWISE
https://www.makewaterwork.ca/plants/