Nick Stodel, MD of Stodels Garden Centres, replies
Look out for plants with these characteristics:
• Small or needle-like leaves The smaller the surface of the leaf, the less evaporation takes place. Consider trees such as karee, acacia and buffalo thorn.
• Grey foliage The colour reflects the sun’s rays away from the plant, keeping it cooler and reducing water loss through the leaves. Options include lavender, artemesia, arctotis and the giant honey flower.
• Hairy leaves Hairs on the leaves help to slow down air movement past the stomata (pores used for gas exchange), thereby reducing water loss. Relevant plants include the silver tree, lamb’s ear, beach salvia and helichrysum.
• Succulent leaves Water is stored in the fleshy leaves and can be used when the plant requires it. Consider crassula, aloe, echeveria, vygie and spekboom.
• Waxy leaves A waxy layer prevents moisture loss; think euonymus, kalanchoe and Indian hawthorn.
• Lighter underside of the leaves When the plant becomes stressed, it turns the lighter underside of the leaves upwards to reflect the sun away from it. Plants include wild olive, gazania and indigenous buddleja.
• Sturdy internal structure Hard-stemmed plants better support leaves and prevent them from wilting; this way, any water the plant gets is retained, rather than dripping to the ground as it may with a plant that has soft, wilting leaves. Look for strelitzia, restio and agave.
• Oil-rich In areas that experience hot, dry summers, some plants have adapted by secreting oil that coats the leaves and protects them against water loss through evaporation. These include rosemary, lavender and sage.
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