How do desert plants survive with so little water?

Desert plants survive with minimal water by storing it in their tissues, reducing water loss, and collecting it efficiently. Succulents like cacti store water in their thick, fleshy stems. Many desert plants have small or waxy leaves to minimise evaporation. Others, like mesquite trees, grow deep roots to reach underground water. These adaptations allow them to thrive in arid conditions where rainfall is scarce.