Native Plants for Dry Slopes in Southern California

Dry slopes are demanding sites: water moves downhill quickly, soil can erode and conventional overhead irrigation often performs poorly.

Plant for the slope

Choose species suited to sun exposure, soil and local climate. Use multiple plant forms rather than relying on a single monoculture.

Control runoff

Drip or other efficient irrigation must be designed so water infiltrates rather than running downhill. Mulch or other appropriate surface protection can reduce bare-soil erosion.

Need a slope conversion?

Request a native slope planting plan →


For difficult or larger slope conversions

Dry-slope projects often combine irrigation, runoff, erosion and plant establishment. Larger sites should be evaluated as a coordinated landscape project rather than simply selecting a plant list.

Explore Slope & Erosion Projects →   |   Large Landscape Projects →

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