Plants have developed several strategies to survive drought conditions:

1. Deep Root Systems

Many plants grow deep roots to access water stored in the soil. This allows them to tap into moisture that surface-level plants cannot reach.

2. Water Storage

Some plants, like succulents, store water in their leaves, stems, or roots. This helps them endure long periods without rainfall.

3. Reduced Leaf Surface Area

Many drought-resistant plants have smaller leaves or modified leaves (like spines in cacti) to reduce water loss through transpiration.

4. Thick Cuticles

A thicker waxy cuticle on leaves can help minimize water loss by creating a barrier to evaporation.

5. Drought Dormancy

Certain plants can enter a dormant state during extreme drought, reducing metabolic activity until conditions improve.

6. Efficient Water Use

Some plants have adapted to use water more efficiently. For example, they may open their stomata at night instead of during the day to minimize water loss.

7. Root Shallowing

In some cases, plants may develop shallow, widespread root systems to quickly absorb any moisture from light rains.

These adaptations enable plants to survive and even thrive in arid environments!