Saving waterGuide
Drought tolerant plants for Sonoma County yards
Choose plants that fit our wet winters and dry summers. Mostly native plants need little water once they settle in.
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You may see this called xeriscaping. It means landscaping that needs little water.
Replacing a lawn? Start with lawns: water use, alternatives and removal.
Why local plants
The Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership describes our climate as Mediterranean: wet winters and long, dry summers with little rain. It says plants suited to the area generally grow more successfully, with fewer insect and disease problems.
Look up plants
- The Water Smart Plant Picker lists mostly native plants for Sonoma and Marin. Filter by water need (very low, low or moderate), sun, plant type, pollinators and deer resistance.
- It also has filters for rain garden plants and lawn alternatives.
- Look for Water Smart Plant labels at local nurseries.
Get free help
- Garden Sense: Master Gardeners give free on-site advice on replacing lawn with a low-water landscape, plant choice, layout and irrigation.
- To hire out the work, look for a Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper.
Plant and water well
- Put plants with similar needs on the same valve.
- Use drip. See grow vegetables with less water for mulch and watering basics.
- In a rain garden, the Sonoma guide puts native sedges and rushes in the center and drought tolerant shrubs at the edges. See slow it, spread it, sink it.
Rebates change. Check water rebates and programs before you buy.
Sources
- Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership, Water Smart Plant Picker
- Sonoma Water, Saving Water Programs
- UC Master Gardeners of Sonoma County, Garden Sense
- Qualified Water Efficient Landscapers
- Sonoma Resource Conservation District, Slow It. Spread It. Sink It. Store It! A Homeowner's Guide to Beneficial Stormwater Management (2nd ed., 2015)
Checked 2026-10-11. Rules and programs change. If something here is out of date, the source above wins. Spot an error? See our corrections policy.
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