24 Easiest Plants for a Low Maintenance Garden
Many of us would love a beautiful garden but lack the time and energy to devote to it. Unless you have spare funds to hire an outside contractor, you may be stuck with your dull and uninspiring yard.
There are, however, a significant number of plants that require little maintenance. You can’t quite put them in the ground and forget about them, but they can grow with only minor input.
The suggestions on this list are a mix of flowers, shrubs, herbs, fruit, and vegetables, but all qualify based on low-maintenance plants that can contribute to a beautiful outdoor space.
1. Texas Ranger
The Texas Ranger is also known as Wild Lilac, but the name only hints at its colorful flowers. When the plant is in full bloom, you can enjoy rich purple and magenta blossoms, and there’s very little effort required.
Texas Ranger only needs water in the driest of summer months. Plant it in direct sunlight for the best results, and watch it explode into a stunning set of colors.
2. Tomatoes
If you grow one plant in your fruit and vegetable garden, make it the tomato. There are techniques for bigger yields, which include pruning lower stems as soon as the plant develops, but tomatoes don’t have to be complicated.
You can still produce a decent crop by simply ensuring that the plant has enough water. If it’s a rainy summer, you could even harvest tomatoes without any work once planted.
3. Potatoes
Potatoes are even easier to grow than tomatoes, and you don’t need a green thumb for a big harvest. They require a bigger space, and a little extra work, as you should build up soil around the plant as it develops.
Your potatoes will also need watering, but they qualify as low maintenance and can withstand most weather conditions. With a little work, you can also enjoy a bumper crop.
4. Hardy Geraniums
The clue is in the name. The hardy geranium is virtually indestructible, and it can withstand most soil and weather conditions.
It’s recommended that you cut back to the ground as soon as the first flowers appear, as this will encourage a more productive second wave. Cutting back isn’t essential, so the geranium is one to plant and enjoy, with minimal maintenance.
5. Coneflower
One of the enemies of the casual gardener is poor-quality soil. If your yard contains high levels of acidity or is weak in vital nutrients, it’s costly to remedy the situation. If you want an attractive garden on a low budget, the coneflower is one answer.
Also known as echinacea, this plant can thrive in any conditions. It’s fine in low-quality soil and requires little moisture, so you’ll only need to water if there’s an extended drought. The coneflower, essentially, is a plant you can set and forget.
6. Mint
Mint is a versatile herb that can be used in a variety of food and drink. If you’re partial to the occasional mojito, it’s a great source of fresh ingredients to complete a perfect cocktail.
It’s easy to grow and requires virtually no attention throughout the year. The only issue with mint is that it can take over your herb patch and spread across the garden. For that reason, it’s better to plant and grow in individual containers.
7. Lambs Ear
It’s another plant that qualifies based on its hardiness and durability. Lambs Ear is happy in poor soil, and it doesn’t matter if there’s little rain around in your part of the world. You only need to water in prolonged, hot dry spells.
The plant gets its name from the soft green leaves that are almost furry to the touch. Let it bloom and you’ll be rewarded with some delightful, purple-pink flowers.
8. Peony
The peony is a delicate flower, and you could be fooled into thinking that it requires an experienced gardener’s touch. In contrast, it’s another low-maintenance option, which only requires direct sunlight, good drainage, occasional deadheading, and space to spread out.
Peonies are great options if you want your garden to be full of color. Just make sure you have the right conditions, and you won’t have to work hard to see the rewards.
9. Daffodils
The daffodil is the national flower of Wales, and it is popular across the UK. It’s not as well-known in the US, but it’s a low-maintenance plant with some excellent qualities. The daffodil is an early bloomer and a sign that spring is on its way.
It does require good drainage and better quality soil, but if you have the conditions, the daffodil requires little additional care. Sew the bulbs and you can look forward to beautiful yellow blooms for many years.
10. Marigolds
Many plants have a short life cycle, but that’s not the case with marigolds. After they bloom in the spring, you should be able to enjoy the bright yellow colors through to the fall months.
Once planted, there is little you need to do for the marigold to thrive. They will adapt to any soil and all they ask is for a spot in your garden that attracts the sun for the longest possible period.
11. Geraniums
Most geraniums require little attention, but one of the less needy varieties is known as Brookside. The Brookside geranium provides charming blue flowers from late spring to summer.
It’s a big hit among butterflies but is less appealing to deer, so it ticks many boxes. The Brookside geranium is comfortable in most soil types, and will likely adapt to any weather conditions.
12. Clematis
No plant can promise instant results, but the clematis comes close. It’s a favorite among gardeners due to its rapid growth rate and a range of varieties, all of which produce pretty flowers.
The clematis is a climber, so you may want to install a trellis for support. It will also require soil that drains well, but in the right conditions, it will develop with little contribution from the home gardener.
13. Cosmos
Rows and rows of attractive pink flowers can be enjoyed as another low-maintenance option for your garden. Cosmos is one of the best picks if you want to encourage bees into your yard, and these valuable insects need all the help they can get right now.
Cosmos mixes with any other plant on your patch and can adapt to most conditions. They will tolerate the driest of summer months and only need a sprinkle of water now and then.
14. Parsley
All of the plants on this list provide certain qualities. In the case of parsley, the herb is easy to grow and it’s excellent for deterring pests from entering your vegetable patch. Parsley attracts beneficial insects that feed off those who like nothing better than to eat what you’ve sown.
It’s low maintenance too: For best results, buy a young parsley plant from your garden center. Water well, watch it grow, and enjoy it as an accompaniment to many dishes.
15. Weigela
If you live in a rural area, many of your plants and shrubs may be at the mercy of certain wildlife. Deer are a constant issue in some areas, but they show no interest in the Weigela.
This is a shrub that produces bright red flowers, and it’s another option if you’re short on time or gardening skills. It can survive in average soil, and while pruning is recommended, it’s purely optional.
16. Laurel
Gardening isn’t just about brightly-colored flowers, and it helps to have a balance in your yard. A plant such as a laurel adds a touch of greenery and its thick, abundant leaves make it a popular choice.
A plant such as spotted laurel is evergreen, so it will give you that balance of color all year round. You may want to trim back its leaves, but laurel grows slowly, so you don’t need to do this too often.
17. Catmint
As an alternative to regular mint, this is a plant that adds an extra touch of beauty. Catmint can develop to grow attractive lilac blooms that can last for a long time and will thrive in dry conditions.
Catmint is also resistant to deer and needs little input from the gardener. Simply trim it back in the fall to encourage better growth when spring comes around again.
18. Licorice Plant
You may need a warmer climate to successfully grow a licorice plant, but if you meet its environmental needs, you can install and forget. Licorice is a good all-round option, and like many others on this list, it’s hardy and resistant to deer.
Another advantage of the licorice plant is that it is an excellent weed suppressant. This means that not only does it require little maintenance, it does some of the most tedious gardening work for you.
19. Winter Daphne
The winter daphne is another evergreen plant, but this one provides a dash of extra color. Small red and white blooms poke through in winter to lift the gloom of the colder months.
A modest amount of work is required when you plant the winter daphne. Place it in full or filtered sun and give it room to grow. Once it’s in, you can forget about it and enjoy some winter color.
20. Canna Lilies
All the work involved with canna lilies takes place at the start of their life cycle. Once the threat of frost has gone, plant them out, water well, and add some mulch to retain moisture. After that, your work is done, except for the occasional sprinkle of water if a drought takes hold.
Your reward for that modest effort is a charming plant with stunning orange flowers. The canna lily is a strong centerpiece as a standout plant in any garden.
21. Black-Eyed Susan
Looking like a miniature sunflower, the black-eyed Susan is a popular plant across the United States. They are great plants for beginners to grow as they’ll thrive in virtually any soil and will require little maintenance once they’re planted.
Another great advantage is that the black-eyed Susan is resistant to rabbits and deer, so it’s a great plant to grow if you’re having issues with the local wildlife.
22. Zinnia
If you want the type of colorful flowers that belong on the lid of a chocolate box, zinnia is an excellent choice. The burst of shades is a treat for the eyes, but there are additional benefits as the brightness also attracts bees and butterflies. It’s especially attractive to hummingbirds if they are in your locality.
Zinnia qualifies as another low-maintenance plant, asking only to be planted in full sunlight. Once in, it will tolerate the worst of the weather.
23. Ornamental Grass
The only work you need to do when buying ornamental grasses is to work out what type of soil they need. Some require moist conditions, while others such as prairie grasses are happier when it’s hot and dry.
The plant adds a nice touch of balance to your space, and in return, you may just need to water occasionally. Options include blue oat grass, black mondo grass, and Japanese sedge.
24. Wildflowers
For the ultimate in lazy gardening, grab a wildflower seed mix. You don’t even have to turn over the soil. Wildflowers can be scattered over bare earth in the spring and autumn months, and they will grow into a delightful mix of shapes and colors.
Bees and butterflies love them, so you’ll be helping the local insect population, as well as enjoying a beautiful display.
