Login

Save water, grow well

Water wise gardening

Grow a garden that thrives on less water, with confidence in where, when and how much to water.

← Back to Planting & Care

Start with these checks

  • Group plants with similar water needs.
  • Mulch 5–10 cm deep, clear of stems.
  • Water deeply, less often — check the soil first.

Start with your Southern Plants™ care label

Southern Plants™ puts care into its labels to help you choose a suitable home for each plant.

Check the water needs and drought tolerance on your Southern Plants label. Group plants with similar needs together. A plant described as drought tolerant still needs regular water until it is established.

Find your plant’s growing information →
A gardener watering a potted kangaroo paw

Save water, grow well

Water wise gardening

A water wise garden is not a dry garden. It is a garden where water goes exactly where plants can use it, nothing is wasted and plants are chosen to suit the rainfall you actually get. The good news: the habits that save water also grow stronger, deeper-rooted plants.

Plan before you plant

Most water savings are made at the planning stage. Choosing the right plant for the right spot means less watering for the life of the garden.

Group plants by thirst

Put plants with similar water needs together. Thirsty plants can then be watered properly without overwatering their tougher neighbours. Keep the thirstiest plants closest to the house or tap.

Choose for your conditions

Look for plants labelled drought tolerant or low water, especially for hot, exposed spots. Remember that drought tolerance develops once a plant is established — it is not there on planting day.

Improve the soil

Dig in compost or well-rotted organic matter before planting. It helps sandy soil hold water and helps heavy soil drain, so water reaches the roots instead of running off or sitting in puddles.

Mulch is your best water saver

A layer of coarse organic mulch about 5–10 cm deep slows evaporation, keeps roots cool and reduces weeds that compete for water. Keep mulch a hand's width away from stems and trunks. Top it up as it breaks down, ideally before summer.

Water deeply, less often

A long, slow soak encourages roots to grow down to where the soil stays moist. Frequent light sprinkles only wet the surface, which keeps roots shallow and thirsty. Check the soil a few centimetres down before watering — if it is still moist, wait.

Water at the right time, the right way

Water early in the morning, when less is lost to heat and wind. Aim water at the soil over the root zone, not the leaves. Drip irrigation or a soaker hose delivers water slowly where it is needed. If water beads and runs off dry soil or potting mix, a soil wetting agent can help it soak in.

A simple water wise routine

  1. Check the label for water needs and group plants with similar needs together.
  2. Improve the soil with organic matter before planting.
  3. Water new plants in well, then regularly until they are established.
  4. Mulch 5–10 cm deep, kept clear of stems.
  5. Once established, water deeply and less often — always check the soil first.

Even the toughest plants need help during their first warm season. A little extra care while they establish means far less watering for years afterwards.

Low water plants available now

A selection of plants marked as low water in our Marketing Info, currently available from Southern Plants™. New plants still need regular watering until established. Choose a plant to see its full growing guide.

Carex Feather Falls Carex Feather Falls Carex oshimensis 'Feather Falls' Peacock Flower Peacock Flower Dietes bicolor Tufted Alpine Saxifraga Tufted Alpine Saxifraga Saxifraga caespitosa Assorted Xeronidium Unity Everlasting Daisy Xeronidium Unity Everlasting Daisy Xerochrysum x Coronidium 'Xeronidium Unity' Curry Plant Curry Plant Helichrysum angustifolium Bush Coral Kangaroo Paw Bush Coral Kangaroo Paw Anigozanthos hybrid 'Bush Coral' Carex Frosted Curls Carex Frosted Curls Carex albula 'Frosted Curls' Leucadendron Ebony Leucadendron Ebony Leucadendron laureolum x salignum 'Ebony'
See all low water plants in the Plant Finder →

Your next step towards growing with confidence

You do not need to know everything at once. Start with your plant’s growing requirements, try the steps that suit your garden, and build confidence as you see what works.

Open Plant Finder
Report issue