Sorghum and millet are among the strongest staple-crop choices where rainfall is unreliable. Cassava and pigeon pea are also drought-tolerant options in suitable conditions. There is no universal winner: rainfall timing, growing-season length, soil, variety and the crop’s most water-sensitive growth stages all affect whether it will succeed.
What drought resistance means
Drought resistance is not the same as needing the least water over a whole season. A crop may use a comparable amount of water when conditions are favorable yet cope better when rain fails. FAO classifies sorghum, millet, cassava and pigeon pea as having low sensitivity to water shortage; it classifies maize as medium-high and paddy rice as high. These are general comparisons, not guarantees of yield during a particular drought. FAO’s crop sensitivity guidance also notes that a shortage at flowering or grain setting can be especially damaging.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Resistance and drought escape
Some plants can reach moisture deeper in the soil; pigeon pea, for example, can benefit from deep roots. Other drought responses include dormancy or thick leaves that reduce water loss. Early-maturing crops may escape drought by completing their growth before soil moisture runs out. These traits help explain why a crop can perform better under water stress, but they do not make it immune to a long or poorly timed drought. FAO’s guidance on minimizing water stress describes these mechanisms and crop examples.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
How staple crops compare
The water figures below are FAO rough, indicative requirements over a crop’s total growing period—not irrigation prescriptions, local forecasts or a ranking of drought tolerance. Duration and growing conditions affect the total, and the ranges overlap. FAO advises using more accurate crop-water calculations when available. Its accessible page does not state a publication year. See FAO’s crop-water-needs table.
#1 Best Overall
- GRASS TYPES: This grass seed mix contains Tall Fescue grass seed and Kentucky Bluegrass seed
- WHEN TO APPLY: Use this lawn seed to start a new lawn or overseed an existing lawn; apply in the spring or fall when air temperatures are between 65°F and 85°F
- GRASS SEED PURITY: This lawn grass seed contains 99.99% weed free seed
- DROUGHT TOLERANT LAWN: Scotts Grass Seed Drought Tolerant Mix self-repairs to fill in bare spots; this drought tolerant grass seed mix also grows deep roots to help conserve water
- COVERAGE: One 4 lb. bag of Scotts Grass Seed Drought Tolerant Mix has a new lawn coverage of 665 sq. ft. or an overseeding coverage of up to 2,000 sq. ft. of lawn
| Crop or group | Sensitivity to water shortage | Indicative seasonal water need | What the comparison suggests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sorghum and millet | Low | 450–650 mm | Strong broad candidates for water-limited areas; some millet systems use rapidly maturing crops. |
| Barley, oats and wheat | Low to medium | 450–650 mm | May suit dry conditions, depending on local season length and variety. |
| Maize | Medium to high | 500–800 mm | More exposed to water shortages than sorghum or millet in FAO’s general sensitivity classification. |
| Paddy rice | High | 450–700 mm | Sensitive to water shortage; the paddy production context matters. |
| Cassava | Low | Not stated in the cited FAO water-needs table | A drought-tolerant option, but the cited table provides no comparable seasonal figure. |
| Pigeon pea | Low | Not stated in the cited FAO water-needs table | A deep-rooting legume option where soils and local conditions suit it. |
FAO’s general description is that millet and sorghum are only slightly sensitive to drought and are drought resistant. That does not mean either crop will produce a stable harvest through every drought: the shortage’s duration and timing matter.
Choose for the local growing season, not a global ranking
Start with the rainfall pattern and the length of the local growing period. A crop’s total seasonal water requirement changes with how long it grows, and a short dry spell is not equivalent to prolonged drought. Then consider soil, locally adapted varieties, food preferences and the production system. Local growing-period data are more useful than broad reference values.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- EXTRA LARGE PACKET contains over 1 full ounce of pure live seeds (7,500+ seeds) - Enough to cover 100 square feet.
- THE FRESHEST SEEDS available lead to high germination rates, making your gardening easy, successful, and fun.
- PREMIUM PACKAGING designed for optimal seed storage, with full planting instructions and reusable zipper - Great for gift giving.
- Contains the following - Common Name (Scientific Name): Bachelor's Button (Centaurea cyanus), Siberian Wallflower (Cheiranthus allionii), Shasta Daisy (Chrysanthemum maximum), Plains Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria), Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus), African Daisy (Dimorphotheca aurantiaca), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica), Perennial Gaillardia (Gaillardia aristata), Indian Blanket (Gaillardia pulchella)
- Showy Baby's Breath (Gypsohila elegans), Spurred Snapdragon (Linaria maroccana), Blue Flax (Linum lewisii), Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima), Evening Primrose (Oennthera lamarckiana), Corn Poppy (Papaver rhoeas), Rocky Mountain Penstemon (Penstemon strictus), Prairie Coneflower (Ratibida columnifera), Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Gloriosa Daisy (Rudbeckia hirta), Catchfly (Silene armeria)
Rank #4
- SUN AND SHADE GRASS SEED: This combination lawn seed, grass fertilizer, and soil improver thrives in a variety of conditions
- WHEN TO APPLY: Use this sun and shade lawn grass seed mix to seed a new lawn or overseed an existing lawn in the spring or fall when daily average soil temperatures are consistently between 55°F and 70°F, or air temperatures between 60°F and 80°F
- GROW THICK, GREEN GRASS: Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Sun & Shade Mix features Root-Building Nutrition crafted to help establish deep roots to build a better, stronger lawn
- WHERE TO USE: This grass seed for lawns is designed for full sun and moderate shade, and has medium drought resistance with medium to high durability
- COVERAGE: One 5.6 lb. bag of Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Sun & Shade Mix has a new lawn coverage of 745 sq. ft. and an overseeding coverage of 2,240 sq. ft.
Rank #3
- DROUGHT TOLERANT WILDFLOWER SEEDS: Create a colorful, water-wise garden with a carefully selected mix of heat-tolerant annual and perennial wildflowers that thrive in dry conditions and western landscapes. Ideal for low-water gardens, xeriscapes, and sunny areas.
- ATTRACT POLLINATORS WITH BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS: Our drought tolerant wildflower seed mix is designed to provide nectar-rich flowers for honey bees, native bees, butterflies, birds, and hummingbirds. A diverse blend of hardy flowers helps create a welcoming pollinator habitat.
- PURE SEED, NO FILLERS: BBB Seed (Beauty Beyond Belief) provides high-quality, open-pollinated, non-GMO seeds with no added fillers. Every batch is tested for germination and weed seed so you can plant with confidence.
- GROW MORE WITH EXPERT GUIDANCE: Family-owned since 1985, BBB Seed has helped gardeners successfully grow wildflowers for decades. Our team combines seed expertise with practical growing advice to help you create a thriving landscape.
- HARDY COVERAGE FOR WESTERN GARDENS: Each 1 oz package covers approximately 150 sq. ft. with a vibrant mix of annual and perennial flowers suited for USDA hardiness zones 2–9. Developed by BBB Seed in Colorado for gardeners across the West and dry landscapes.
Rank #2
- PREMIUM DROUGHT TOLERANT WILDFLOWER MIX: A carefully curated blend of hardy wildflowers selected to thrive in hot, dry, and low-water conditions. Suitable for xeriscaping, water-wise gardens, low-water landscapes, and challenging growing environments across the continental USA
- VIBRANT COLOR FROM SPRING THROUGH FALL: Produces lasting waves of yellow, orange, red, and purple blooms that remain attractive even during extended dry periods. Suitable for meadows, slopes, naturalized areas, and low-maintenance flower beds
- EXTRA-LARGE 1 OZ RESEALABLE PACKET: Each SunHaven Seeds packet contains a full ounce of fresh, Non-GMO seed, enough to cover 100 square feet, packaged in a durable, resealable pouch for easy planting, multiple sowing sessions, and long-term storage
- SUPPORTS BEES, BUTTERFLIES & POLLINATORS: Rich in nectar and pollen, this drought tolerant mix attracts bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects. A simple way to increase biodiversity while conserving water and reducing maintenance
- PROVEN VARIETIES FOR TOUGH CLIMATES: Features Black-Eyed Susan, Plains Coreopsis, Lance-Leaved Coreopsis, Prairie Coneflower, Indian Blanket, Orange California Poppy, Purple Prairie Clover, and Western Yarrow. Each chosen for resilience and dependable garden performance
- Match the crop to rainfall timing. A crop with low general sensitivity can still be hurt if water runs short during flowering or grain setting.
- Check soil and rooting conditions. Deep-rooting crops can use moisture below the surface when soil conditions allow.
- Account for what people grow and eat. FAO’s water-harvesting guidance names sorghum and pearl millet as common cereals in those systems, and notes pearl millet’s use in drier areas of West Africa and India. It also reports that maize can remain farmers’ preferred grain in parts of East and Southern Africa despite weaker drought adaptation. Those examples are regional, not universal. FAO’s water-harvesting crop-choice guidance gives that context.
Practical next steps before planting
- Ask a local agricultural extension service which crops and varieties suit the area’s rainfall pattern, soil and season length.
- Look for locally adapted seed rather than selecting a variety from a general drought-resistance label alone. Sorghum or pearl millet seed may be worth considering where local conditions support those crops.
- Plan around vulnerable growth stages. Where possible, align planting and water management so the crop is less likely to face shortage at flowering and grain setting.
- Use local crop-water guidance for any irrigation or water-harvesting decision; the broad FAO ranges are reference estimates, not a farm-specific water budget.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
