Since scrub habitat is xeric (dry), the plants that inhabit this area are well adapted to living in this environment. For example, many plants have small hairs (pubescence), waxy leaves or leaves with edges turned inward. This minimizes the amount of water that is lost through evaporation and tends to trap water found in the atmosphere. An example of a plant that uses hairs to trap moisture rusty lyonia (Lyoniaferruginea). These hairs give the new foliage a 'rusty' color, hence the name.

The prickly pear cactus (Opuntia stricta) is another plant that is especially well adapted to this environment. In order to minimize water loss, the leaves are reduced to spines and the stems are modified into pads that store water. Many scrub species have roots that reach the water table or which spread along the surface of the soil, in order to capture water before it percolates into the ground.

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