Best Warm Weather Plants Perfect for Hot Climates

Last Updated on October 31, 2021 by Phil

Plants love sunlight. And, for that reason they’re often better off in areas where you get warm weather all year round. But, if the temperature gets too high, they also have a hard time surviving.

If you live in a city that experiences very dry summers, here are some warm weather plants that thrive in hot climates. They’re perfect for areas that are near deserts where temperatures can climb into the 90’s and higher during the summertime.

Best Plants for Hot Weather

Cactus

Probably the most well-known hot climate plant in the world, cacti thrive even in harsh dry environments. You’ve probably seen them in movies and TV shows that featured the desert.

The cactus is a very resilient plant that requires very little water. This makes it easy to care for. And, you’ll be able to grow it in warm climates.

If you like to add character to your garden without the hassle of having to do a lot of maintenance and care, cacti are a great choice.

Sunflower

Sunflowers are bright, color flowers that can liven up any garden. Their white and yellow tones match well with grassy lawns making them lovely to look at.

What many people don’t know is that sunflowers do well in warm climate environments. This makes them a good choice if you live in desert cities or places with very hot summers.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is better known as a beauty product rather than a plant. That’s because in the recent decades, the aloe plant has been used in a lot of commercial skin care products.

It is well known for helping improve skin complexion as well as improving your hair which makes it among the most popular components used in women’s beauty products.

Besides its skin healing abilities, aloe very is also a beautiful plant. It provides some contrast to flowers and trees in the garden, giving your yard more character.

Geraniums

Geraniums are one of the most popular warm weather plants because of their beauty and color. There are a variety of geraniums available which gives you a lot of options to add to your garden.

Unlike most plants that thrive in hot climates, geraniums do require maintenance and watering. What makes them perfect for almost any garden is that they’re easy to care for.

If you do plan on growing geraniums in your garden, do place them in an area that doesn’t receive intense sunlight. They’re sensitive to direct sunlight and are better off in shaded areas.

Purslane

Not the most well known plant around, purslane is actually something beginner gardeners will appreciate. They’re found in different parts of the country because they can thrive even when the soil is of poor quality.

That makes it easy to grow them even in plots where there isn’t a lot of nutrients on the ground.

Like the other plants in our list, they can withstand the warm summer weathers. You may also want to know that they’re edible. Purslane can be included in salads and other dishes.

Bougainvillea

Bright and beautiful, the bougainvillea plant is a wonderful addition to your garden’s aesthetic. It comes in red to violet shades which changes the entire look of a green garden into something even more welcoming.

Because the plant tends to clump together, it makes it perfect if you’re looking to give your garden a decorative look.

Zinnia

If you live in a warm climate and want to grow a colorful garden, zinnias are something you want to grow. These round flowers come in a wide range of beautiful colors. They bloom into bright red, pink, purple and other wonderful colors that will complete change the complexion of your garden.

Because they favor warm weather, they’re a good choice in areas that experience high temperatures. They also withstand strong winds which make them ideal for warm, windy climates.

How to Protect Your Garden During Hot, Dry Weather

In addition to choosing the right plants to grow, there are a few things you can do to help your garden stay healthy when the temperatures rise.

This lets you plant some of your favorite flowers, vegetables and herbs even if you don’t live in the most ideal environment.

Water Regularly

Because hot weather causes water to evaporate more quickly, it’s important to give your plants the right amount of water. For optimum absorption, the best times to water your plants are during the early mornings and later in the evenings.

During these times, the weather isn’t too hot which gives the plants enough time to absorb enough water.

Also, instead of giving your plants some water daily, water every 3 to 5 days. When doing so, water more deeply, which is more effective that shallow watering more frequently.

A good way to make sure that your plants get the right amount of water is to use a sprinkler timer controller with proper irrigation. This ensures that you give them the right amount of water they needs.

Use the Right Fertilizer

In hot climates, the soil is less able to absorb the nutrients in fertilizer. As a result, many gardeners and green thumbs make up for this by using more fertilizer.

The problem with doing so is that too much fertilizer increases your risk of plant burn. In doing so, you end up harming your plants more than you’re helping.

A better solution would be to use liquid fertilizers during warmer temperatures. This allows for better absorption without the risk of burns.

Add Mulch

Using more mulch provides an additional layer between the heat and the soil. This helps lower the temperature in your garden and allow it to retain moisture better.

A good rule of thumb is to use about 2 to 3 inches of mulch.

Let your Grass Grow

Taller grass gives the soil more shade to protect it from the heat. Grass also absorbs some of the sunlight and heat to help cool down the ground.

To keep your lawn neat and tidy, you can mow using a higher blade setting. This helps keep your lawn uniform without cutting the grass too short.