11 Trees That Require Little Water

blue spruce trees in a handsome garden

Whether you're in a drought or just want a low-maintenance yard, there are some trees out there that require very little water. This makes them great options for a variety of climates and budgets.

And worry not, some of these trees are actually quite pretty and some will even flower in the spring and produce fruit.

1. Blue Spruce

The blue spruce is a great option if you are looking for a low water tree. The blue spruce is known for producing a lot of shade, which can be a welcome break if you have a yard without much shade.

The trees do best in cooler climates and can grow quite tall when properly cared for.

2. Desert Willow

desert willow tree with purple flower

The desert willow, once established, will require rainwater. The tree is slightly smaller than other trees on this list but is still a great tree option if you are looking for something low maintenance.

These trees grow incredibly quickly and will sprout flowers that attract hummingbirds, making them a great option to add beauty to your home while not investing in a tree that requires a lot of water.

3. Bottlebrush Tree

red cascading flowers on bottlebrush tree

The bottlebrush is another great tree that requires very little water. These trees bloom and create a beautiful landscaping feature.

Bottlebrushes, while a tree, are often dense and compact making them look more like hedges. This also makes them a great option if you are trying to create some privacy in your home.

4. Coast Silktassel

coast silktassel tree with cascading white flowers

Coast silktassels, as their name would imply, are often found on the coast, the West Coast of America, to be specific. These trees are oftentimes quite decorative and can also yield fruit.

The trees do not grow very tall but can get fairly wide making them another excellent option for larger yards in need of privacy.

One word of caution about these plants, they need well-draining soil to survive.

5. Jujube

red berries on jujube tree

The jujube tree is a low water plant that only needs to be watered deeply once a month. In addition to being a beautiful addition to your garden, this tree creates edible fruit.

Jujubes spread wide as they grow so this is not a great option for someone with only a limited amount of space in their yard.

6. Palo Verde

thin desert willow tree growing in arid land

The palo verde is a dessert tree that has beautiful yellow flowers and colorful bark. Be careful, though, the flowers and bark hide branches that are quite spiny.

This tree is a great option for anyone wanting to add some shade in their garden. Instead of the shade coming from leaves, with a palo verde, it comes from the twigs.

7. Pineapple Guava

pineapple guava tree with big bright flowers

The pineapple guava tree is native to South America. The trees bloom in the spring, like many trees do. When in bloom, these plants have 1-inch wide flowers in red and white.

The petals of these plants are edible. The plant also grows fruit in the fall. The fruit tastes similar to a pineapple, hence the name of the tree.

These plants are drought tolerant and require only moderate watering. They do well in areas with a lot of sun.

8. Smoke Tree

purple flowering smoke tree

The smoke tree requires more water than some of the other trees mentioned on this list, but it still needs less water than the average tree. During hot months it will require more water than during other times of year.

The tree does not grow very tall and is known for its bright colors, such as green, purple, and gold depending on the time of year.

9. Crepe Myrtle

pink flowering crepe myrtle tree in garden

This tree does well in hot areas. When properly cared for, it will bloom in summer and be incredibly colorful come fall.

These plants can grow in colder regions but will flower less and are more susceptible to issues like mildew.

The plant can grow up to 25 feet tall and wide.

10. Loquat

loquat tree with orange fruits

The loquat tree is native to China. These trees have leaves with a pointed end and are often used for decor inside.

The trees produce edible fruit in the spring with a somewhat tart flavor.

11. Olive

olive tree branch with olives

An olive tree grows best in areas with hot and dry summers and requires very little water. Their trunks are grey and smooth in appearance and its leaves are gray in appearance.

These trees grow slowly but can get up to 30 feet tall.