1. Turgor loss point (π_tlp) has been suggested to be a key trait for drought resistance in woody species. In herbaceous grassland species the role of π_tlp for species drought survival has not yet been tested, although grasslands are projected to experience more frequent and intense droughts with climate change.

2. To gain insights into the role of π_tlp for drought resistance of temperate perennial grassland species, we assessed π_tlp of 41 species common in Germany (20 forbs, 21 grasses). We directly related them to the species’ comparative whole-plant drought survival and midday leaf water potentials under drought (Ψ_MD) assessed in a common garden drought experiment, and to species moisture association.

3. Species drought survival increased with increasing π_tlp across all species as well as within forbs or grasses separately. Ψ_MD was positively related to π_tlp and drought survival. Our results imply that high π_tlp promotes drought survival of common perennial European temperate mesic grassland species by enabling them to maintain high leaf water potentials under drought, i.e., a desiccation avoidance strategy. However, π_tlp was not related to species moisture association.

4. The positive relationship between π_tlp and drought survival in herbaceous grassland species was opposite to the negative relationship previously established in woody plants, implying that mechanisms of drought resistance differ between woody and herbaceous species. Our results highlight the necessity of directly testing the relationship of functional traits to whole-plant drought survival in different plant life forms, before using trait assessments for predicting plant responses to drought.