Grow Smart in the Heat: 9 Veggies That Thrive in Dry Summers Save water & enjoy strong harvests with these drought-tolerant champs 凌 Okra Loves heat and poor soil Eggplant Deep roots, low water needs Zucchini Fast grower with low fuss Peppers Thrive once established Sweet Potato Hardy vines edible greens Cowpeas Black-eyed peas Great nitrogen fixer Armenian Cucumber Crisp and heat-hardy Cherry Tomatoes Small fruit = less stress Malabar Spinach Climbing leafy green for hot spells Tip: Mulch generously and water deeply 12x per week for the healthiest plants.