Want a vibrant garden but lack time for high-maintenance plants? Full-sun, low-maintenance plants are the perfect solution. These hardy plants thrive in sunlight and need minimal care. They are ideal for adding beauty and greenery without the hassle.
Whether sprucing up a patio, landscaping a yard, or boosting curb appeal, these plants make it easy. Create a stunning outdoor oasis with little effort. Read on to find the best low-maintenance plants for full sun and tips to use them!
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are a great choice for The Best Low Maintenance Plants For Full Sun. They can grow four feet or more, depending on the variety. Sunflowers attract bees and birds and produce edible, nutritious seeds rich in omega-3s. Their large green leaves and yellow blossoms, up to a foot wide, make a bold garden statement.
Pair them with coxcomb, Dusty Miller, or Impatiens for added charm—place sunflowers near a birdbath or garden corner for a picturesque and wildlife-friendly scene.
Celosia
Celosia, or Coxcomb, is a top pick for The Best Low Maintenance Plants For Full Sun. These stunning plants grow up to two feet tall. Their feather-like flowers add vibrant color and texture to gardens.
Celosia thrives in sunny spots with little care. It works well in tiered beds, rock gardens, flowerbeds, or along fencerows. Its fluffy, elegant blooms make it a versatile and striking choice for sunny gardens.
Madagascan periwinkle
Madagascan periwinkle is a top choice for The Best Low Maintenance Plants For Full Sun. It grows up to 18 inches tall and produces pink, mauve, or white blooms. These hardy plants work well as borders, bedding, or ground cover.
They thrive in full sun but can tolerate some shade. Their low-maintenance nature makes them perfect for adding color with minimal effort. Madagascan periwinkle is an adaptable and easy option for sunny gardens.
Impatiens
Impatiens are a vibrant addition to any garden and rank high among The Best Low Maintenance Plants For Full Sun. Growing up to 18 inches tall, these versatile plants offer a stunning array of floral colors, including eye-catching bi-colored varieties. Ideal for garden beds, impatiens thrive in both full sun and partial shade, making them a flexible choice for various outdoor spaces.
They’re also perfect for patio pots or hanging baskets, providing a burst of color and charm wherever they’re planted. With their adaptability and low maintenance needs, impatiens are a favorite for creating beautiful and effortless garden displays.
Basil
Basil, a fragrant herb, stands out among The Best Low Maintenance Plants For Full Sun. It thrives in pots, flowerbeds, and herb gardens. With white and purple flowers, basil grows up to two feet tall and spreads about one foot.
Basil loves full sun and well-drained soil. It is easy to grow and has a delightful scent, perfect for patios and decks. Whether for cooking or decoration, basil is a must-have for sunny gardens.
Lavender
Lavender is a top pick for The Best Low Maintenance Plants For Full Sun. This fragrant herb is loved for its sweet aroma and versatility. It grows up to two feet tall and works as a hedge, border plant, or in large pots.
Lavender blooms in summer and early fall, thriving in sunny spots. Its flowers are great for arrangements or brewing soothing tea. Whether enhancing your garden or relaxing on a deck, lavender adds beauty and a delightful scent to sunny spaces.
Geraniums
Geraniums are a classic choice for The Best Low Maintenance Plants For Full Sun. Their scalloped flowers and vibrant colors add beauty to any space. They come in pink, salmon, white, red, and variegated varieties.
Geraniums are perfect for pots on patios or decks. They also work well as border plants, in garden beds, or decorative containers. Their versatility and low-care needs make them ideal for creating colorful displays in sunny areas.
Scarlet Sage
Scarlet sage (salvia) is a top pick for The Best Low Maintenance Plants For Full Sun. It offers tall white, purple, pink, lavender, and scarlet red blooms. This sun-loving plant is ideal for beds and borders, adding vibrant color to gardens.
Scarlet sage grows up to 30 inches tall. Deadheading helps maintain blooms throughout the season. Its vivid flowers pair well with alyssum or dusty millers, adding depth to your garden. With bold colors and easy care, scarlet sage is perfect for sunny spaces.
Dusty Millers
Dusty Millers are a top choice for The Best Low Maintenance Plants For Full Sun. They feature distinctive dusty white or woolly foliage. With 2-inch-long leaves, they add unique texture to gardens. Sometimes, they have yellow or cream hues.
Dusty millers are great as border plants. They pair well with taller flowers like scarlet sage or tea roses. They also work beautifully in flowerbeds with marigolds or bouquets with roses and lilies. Their striking look and low upkeep make them perfect for sunny spaces.
Marigolds
Marigolds are a vibrant choice for The Best Low Maintenance Plants For Full Sun. Their cheerful blooms include stunning bi-colored varieties. Marigolds are great as borders for gardens, patios, decks, porches, or sidewalks. They thrive in full sun and can be deadheaded for continuous blooms.
Though their scent is strong, marigolds are visually appealing and easy to care for. They are a must-have for gardeners seeking low-maintenance beauty in sunny spots.
Verbena
Verbena is a top pick for The Best Low Maintenance Plants For Full Sun. It offers vibrant blooms in many colors, often with white or yellow centers. These hardy plants grow to 12 inches tall and thrive in full sunlight.
Verbena is drought-tolerant and easy to care for. It works well as edging, borders, or hanging baskets in rock gardens. While it loves the sun, it also blooms beautifully in cooler weather. This makes it a versatile and low-effort choice for sunny gardens.
Zinnias
Zinnias are a vibrant choice for The Best Low Maintenance Plants For Full Sun. Their stunning blooms can reach up to 6 inches wide. These tall plants grow up to three feet and thrive in hot, dry weather. They are perfect for sunny gardens.
Zinnias work well as centerpieces and make beautiful cut flower displays. Pair them with dusty miller for striking bouquets. However, they can attract mites and Japanese beetles. If you have a vegetable garden nearby, keep this in mind to protect your veggies.
Coreopsis
Coreopsis, or tickseed (Coreopsis grandiflora), is a top pick for The Best Low Maintenance Plants For Full Sun. This perennial grows up to 3 feet tall and wide. It forms clumps of golden or yellow daisy-like flowers. The blooms appear from June to September, adding bright color all summer.
Coreopsis thrives in well-draining, slightly dry soil. It is drought-tolerant and requires little care. This makes it perfect for low-maintenance landscapes. Its hardiness and vibrant flowers make it a favorite for sunny gardens.
Stella D’oro
Stella d’Oro (Hemerocallis x hybrida) is a top pick for The Best Low Maintenance Plants For Full Sun. This perennial thrives in USDA Zones 3 to 9. It grows up to 1 foot tall with arching, strap-like leaves. Its golden or yellow trumpet-shaped flowers bloom all summer. Each bloom lasts a day, but new flowers appear continuously.
’s dense, fast-growing foliage also works as ground cover. It tolerates partial shade but thrives in well-draining sandy soil and full sun, making d’Oro work as ground cover with its dense, fast-growing foliage. It tolerates partial shade but thrives in well-draining sandy soil and full sun. This makes it a perfect low-maintenance choice for sunny gardens.
Garden Phlox
Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata L.) is a top choice for The Best Low Maintenance Plants For Full Sun. It offers vibrant color and long-lasting blooms. This perennial thrives in USDA Zones 4 to 8. It grows 2 to 3 feet tall with a spread of 1 1/2 to 2 feet.
The flowers are showy, 1 inch across, and come in many colors. They form clusters 3 to 4 inches wide, with 25 to 30 blooms. Garden phlox thrives in well-draining, slightly moist soil and full sun. It works well in narrow spaces or the back of borders. Its beauty and low maintenance make it ideal for sunny gardens.
Butterfly Weed
Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is a top pick for The Best Low Maintenance Plants For Full Sun. This hardy perennial is native to North America. It thrives in well-drained soil with full sun. It is 12 to 24 inches tall and has bright orange flowers on branches. The blooms appear from June to September.
Butterfly weed attracts bees and butterflies with its abundant nectar. It works well in mass plantings, rock gardens, roadsides, or as a border in flower beds. This plant is a low-maintenance and versatile option for sunny spaces.
Shasta Daisies
The Shasta daisy is a classic choice among The Best Low Maintenance Plants For Full Sun. It features cheerful, daisy-like white flowers that bloom from June to September. This perennial grows 24 to 30 inches tall and thrives in well-draining soil with little water.
Shasta daisies are easy to care for and bring charm to any garden. They are perfect for flower beds, borders, or sunny landscapes with minimal effort.