Xeriscaping can transform gardens with hardy species, less maintenance and choices that respect the local climate
Submitted at Sep 23, 2026, 10:00 AM
(Martha Stewart/Divulgação)
Water consumption has become one of the most important topics when it comes to the environment and making better use of natural resources. Xeriscaping gains relevance in this sense.
With a way of thinking about green areas based on the characteristics of the projects themselves, the proposal combines aesthetics, functionality and sustainability by prioritizing plants adapted to the water availability and climatic conditions of each place.
More than simply choosing species that need little watering, the technique involves observing the soil, sun exposure, climate and even how the garden will be used. The result can be a landscape design full of textures, volumes and colors.
(Botanical Interests/Divulgação)
The term comes from the combination of xeros, a Greek word associated with the idea of dry, with landscaping. In practice, xeriscaping is an approach that seeks to reduce the need for irrigation through the proper choice of plants and garden planning strategies.
This does not mean creating an arid space or completely eliminating irrigation. The proposal is to use water more efficiently, considering the real needs of the vegetation and the natural conditions of the terrain.
(Pixabay/Divulgação)
Cacti and succulents are well-known examples, but they are not the only possibilities. Trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants and ground covers adapted to the local climate can also be part of a xeriscape composition.
One of the greatest charms of this approach lies precisely in the possibility of exploring different shapes, heights and textures. Sculptural foliage, trunks, stones, gravel and species of various sizes can create a visually rich composition.
(Garden Design/Divulgação)
The choice can be especially interesting in regions with periods of drought, low water availability or high temperatures. It can also work well for those looking for a garden that requires less day-to-day maintenance.
In beach houses, very sunny outdoor areas, condominium gardens and spaces where irrigation is more difficult, for example, the selection of resistant species can make care easier and make the project more efficient.
Still, there is no single formula. What works in one garden may not work in another. Climate, soil and water availability should guide the decisions.
(Pinterest/Divulgação)
Instead of seeking the traditional appearance of a very green and uniform garden, it is worth working with contrasts of texture, volumes and different shades of green. Flowers can also appear occasionally, bringing color and movement.
Ground cover is another important element. Stones and mineral materials can help compose the space and, depending on the project, contribute to reducing water evaporation from the soil.
Species adapted to periods of little water are the protagonists in this type of project. Cacti and succulents appear among the most obvious choices, thanks to their ability to store water and withstand drier conditions.
(The Sprouce/Divulgação)
But the repertoire can go far beyond them. Depending on the region, native species and plants already adapted to the local climatecan be excellent choices. In addition to fostering a garden that is more integrated with the landscape, they tend to require less adaptation to environmental conditions.
The secret lies in researching the needs of each species before putting together the composition. A plant considered drought-resistant in one region may behave differently in another climate.
No! This is one of the main misconceptions about the concept. A xeriscaped garden doesn't have to look desert-like. It can be tropical, contemporary, delicate, lush, or minimalist, as long as your choices are suited to the local conditions.
Jardim dos Dragoeiros - Zanardo Paisagismo. (Favaro Jr/Divulgação)
The central principle is different: to create a landscape that respects the available resources and works in favor of the environment, instead of requiring it to be constantly modified to meet the needs of the plants.
For this reason, xeriscaping can be understood less as a visual style and more as a way of designing gardens. And that is precisely where its potential lies: transforming the need to save water into an opportunity to create landscapes that are more authorial, conscious, and connected to the territory.
This text was developed with the assistance of CASACOR Publisher, an exclusive content agent developed by the CASACOR Technology team based on the knowledge base of casacor.com.br. The generated content was subsequently edited by Yeska Coelho.
