Desert plants commonly survive dry spells by entering dormancy, reducing metabolic activity to conserve water and energy.

During extended dry periods, many desert plants, like annuals, enter a state of dormancy. This adaptation allows them to shut down their metabolic processes and conserve water until more favorable conditions, such as rainfall, return. While some plants store water in roots or stems and reduce leaf size, dormancy is often the most common survival strategy, especially for plants that cannot store enough water to last through a long dry season. This mechanism ensures that they can survive until the next rain and regenerate once conditions improve.