Crafting your own garden over time and seeing it thrive is a truly rewarding experience, but it takes a lot of hard work, patience, and, usually, maintenance. While this is totally worth it, some people get put off, fearing that they don’t have what it takes to be a gardener. If that sounds like you, though, we’ve got good news–there are plenty of plants that are easy to grow and maintain, and in this article, we’ll be covering some of the best examples.
Sedum
Often referred to as stonecrop, sedum is a succulent that loves the sun and is highly resilient, making it a solid option for beginners–as long as you live in a sunny area. These resilient plants come in various colors and shapes, making them visually interesting, yet despite this, they actually thrive in poor soil and need very little water. Once established, they can tolerate drought conditions, making them a perfect low-maintenance option for beginners and newbies alike.
Ornamental Grasses
If you’re just starting out in the world of gardening and need something low-maintenance to get you started, consider planting some ornamental grasses. While simple, they add a lot of texture and movement to your garden, and many varieties, such as fountain grass and blue fescue, really are easy to grow. They also adapt well to different soil types and need only occasional trimming to keep them tidy, so they’re worth looking into if you’re worried about diving in too deep.
Hostas
Hostas are arguably even easier to grow than sedum and ornamental grasses as they love the shade, so you won’t even need to worry about sunlight too much. They’re lush perennials that come in a variety of leaf shapes and colors, adding a special sense of vibrancy to the darker corners of your garden. Ultimately, they require minimal care and can thrive in poor soil–simply use some mulch to protect the soil’s moisture and keep weeds at bay, and you’ll be good to go.
Daylilies
Daylilies are another incredibly versatile and hardy plant ideal for low-maintenance gardens. They bloom profusely without too much effort and come in a wide range of colors, adding a true sense of cheeriness to any garden. Best of all, they require little watering and can thrive in various soil conditions, so there really isn’t any reason not to grow them.
Lavender
Plants don’t get much better when it comes to fragrance than lavender, so this will undoubtedly be a great addition to your yard. It looks beautiful, too, and even attracts pollinators, so despite being an easy grow, it has a lot to offer. Conveniently, it’s even drought-tolerant once established and doesn’t need much watering, so even the busiest schedules should be compatible with growing lavender.
Coneflowers
Next on our list of the best plants to grow for an easy and low-maintenance garden is coneflowers, otherwise known as echinacea. These are ideal if you’re looking for something that is both stunning and attractive to pollinators while also being simple for beginners. You’ll also get the opportunity to choose from all sorts of colors, which can feel really liberating if you haven’t yet got much gardening experience.
Russian Sage
Russian sage is a hardy perennial that produces beautiful blue flowers and silvery foliage, thriving impressively in well-drained soil, even in incredibly dry regions. As with many plants on this list, it also attracts butterflies and requires very little maintenance, so it really is an overall fantastic choice for a low-care garden. Just prune it in spring, and it should grow healthily.
Zinnias
Anyone looking to add something new to their low-maintenance garden plan should consider zinnias, a species of annuals that are bound to brighten up your space. Available in various vibrant colors, they prefer well-drained soil and will need plenty of sunlight. However, as long as you can accommodate that, they don’t require much else other than deadheading to encourage blooming.
Marigolds
Don’t be deceived by how pretty marigolds are; they’re actually very easy to grow, giving you heaps of value for your time. Better still, they’ll bloom all summer long as long as you place them in sunny spots with the occasional watering. Plus, they’re great for deterring pests and are easy to grow from seeds, making them a well-rounded and accessible option for beginners.
Peonies
For more classic perennial options, check out peonies, which are inevitably going to impress you and any visitors to your garden. Not much care is needed once they’ve developed; just leave them in well-drained soil, and they’ll work their low-maintenance magic. Just be sure to cut back the foliage in the fall to encourage healthy growth the following spring, and you’ll be good to go.
Thyme
If you’re looking for a fragrant alternative to lavender, consider thyme, a herb that you have probably cooked with before. Not only will this herb bring you delicious flavors for your dishes, but it also doubles up as a ground cover in your garden. Above all, it’s low-growing, thrives in full sunlight, and simply needs well-drained soil; other than that, just water it occasionally, and it will return the love in many ways.
Black-Eyed Susans
Black-eyed Susans are bright and beautiful flowers that will add plenty of warmth and color to your garden. Their bright yellow blooms attract butterflies and other pollinators, enhancing your garden’s biodiversity and making your job as a beginner gardener so much easier. What’s more, they are so much easier to care for after they’ve started growing, even to the point where they can tolerate droughts.
Potatoes
There are so many vegetables out there to consider planting in your garden, but to start things off low-maintenance and easy, stick with potatoes. This can be a really fun first-time gardening project; all you’ll need to remember is to water them regularly, especially during dry spells, and ensure that their soil is loose and well-drained soil. If you want, you can even plant them in containers to keep things simple, and you’ll still be rewarded with a hearty harvest.
Creeping Jenny
Even intermediate gardeners tend to overlook Creeping Jenny, a low-growing ground cover that thrives in partial shade. Its vibrant yellow-green foliage adds brightness to shady areas, ideal if there are gloomy areas in your yard. You won’t even have to worry if you experience a streak of gray days–Creeping Jenny will continue to grow without too many problems.
Pansies
To keep your garden looking colorful during the spring and fall, pansies are what you’re looking for. Hardy and low-maintenance, they’ll treat you to a stunning display before the heat of summer comes around. Better still, they’ll stick around after summer, too, when many other plants will already be becoming dormant.
Geraniums
Geraniums are charming and versatile plants that can bring beauty to any yard, and even the newest gardeners out there can handle them. Assuming that you can plant them in a sunny area and water them from time to time, their colorful blooms will grow vibrantly, regardless of what kind of soil quality you’re working with.
Astilbe
Yet another low-maintenance perennial on our list is astilbe, which brings feathery plumes, complex texture, and plenty of colors in exchange for…well, not all that much. All it demands is moist soil if possible, and that’s quite literally it. Plant them in the summer, and we’re sure you’ll be impressed with how easy they are.
Butterfly Bush
If you’re a butterfly enthusiast and want to attract them to your garden without too much effort, look no further than the appropriately named butterfly bush. It’s a wonderful addition to attract pollinators, especially monarch butterflies. As a bonus, it also brings a delightful fragrance in the form of its blooms, and all of this will come with a low-maintenance care plan. Now, that’s a versatile plant!
Sweet Potatoes
To finish things up, we thought we’d introduce one last vegetable–the humble sweet potato. Believe it or not, these delicious root vegetables are just as easy to grow as regular potatoes. Simply plant them in a warm region within well-drained soil, regularly water them during dry spells, and you’ll surely experience healthy growth. Then, all you have to do is harvest them and enjoy!