Definitely no irrigation of succulents. Hand water deeply but less frequently than once a week, and skip it if it rains. (Obviously water more frequently right after planting.)

I water my succulents about once a month most of the year, and twice a month during summer. I make an exception for agaves. They get a drink once a week when the temps hit triple digits. But my "soil" is gravel and sand that doesn't hold on to moisture.

Thank you ... that's very helpful. I will hold off on the drip irrigation then. I think I can manage hand watering every so on.

PS: Most of our neighborhood also has lawns + boxwood. But with water scarcity, price increases and county restrictions, there's a lot of talk about converting to waterwise landscapes. I'll be the first one on our street. Hopefully I'll inspire others.

I just realized, I forgot to mention my aloes! They get watered once a week most of the year, or twice a week during summer. They are planted among grasses and perennials, and get the same treatment. Otherwise I don't think they would survive here.

I'm in San Jose and working on a similar plan to convert a lawn to drought resistant plants, including a succulent area. I'm wondering how your plan worked out. Do you wish you had done anything differently?

lisamac I'm up north in Sonoma Co., and though not as hot as you guys, still have (usually) dry from April til October. We put in an island of succulents. We used 1/2 sand and 1/2 soil, planted, then added rock. The pics I have, you can barely see the succulents planted the first year. Now, 4 years later I have troubles finding places to plant more! I'll do a sprinkle 5 minutes or so maybe once a month by hand. Maybe some day I'll get this site on my phone so I can post pics!

I have many hundreds of agaves and cacti (among lots of other things) on my property, and couldn't possibly manage them all without a drip system, but I would hand water the small plots you're describing.