27 Low Maintenance Plants That Thrive in Full Sun

If you have a sunny yard, then you have an ideal location for many plants to grow. But what should you grow? If you are a busy person or family, then planting some low-maintenance plants that prefer full sun conditions is the way to go. Fortunately, there are many plants you can choose from that are both attractive and low-maintenance.

It’s important to remember that “low-maintenance” is not the same as “no maintenance.” Just about any sort of natural area is going to require at least a little bit of care. However, selecting low-maintenance plants can really cut down on the time you spent managing your garden.

If you need an easy, low-maintenance shrub for a hedge or informal erosion control, abelia is a good choice. This plant is a functional smaller shrub that grows dense and leafy. Flowers are tiny pinkish white trumpets and bloom from summer until early fall. A fully flowering abelia is quite attractive, and the flowers are fragrant. In the fall, leaves turn a pretty purple hue.

Plant abelia in a location with full sun to part shade. Soil should be well-drained and average quality. It doesn’t need any specific requirements to grow well, and there isn’t any regular maintenance or upkeep you will need to do to keep it healthy.

Pruning can be helpful to control the shape and size, as well as stimulate abundant flowers, but pruning is not necessary.

Azalea

	botanical name Rhododendron var.
	plant type Broadleaf evergreen
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 3 to 6 feet
	hardiness zones 5-9

There are a vast number of Azalea varieties, and several are available for the home gardener’s low-maintenance landscape. Check to be sure the azalea you choose will grow well in your specific climate zone and environmental conditions.

The typical nursery-grown azalea will grow well somewhere between zones 5 and 9, although some may be better suited for warmer or cooler climates. Grow azaleas in full sun and well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Azaleas don’t like to get too dry, so check the soil often and try to keep it moist.

The azalea is a reliable spring-blooming shrub. Flower displays are impressive and very colorful. Dense profusions of large, showy blooms cover the plant, creating a bushy mound of flowers in white or shades of pink. Flowers attract pollinators and make an eye-catching annual display.

Bearded Iris

	botanical name Iris germanica
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 3-10

Bearded Iris are not only readily available, they are very low maintenance. Once planted in a sunny location, you don’t really need to do much with them but watch them grow and enjoy their blooms. They are tolerant of a variety of soil conditions, although prefer soil that is moist and well-drained. Iris are not bothered by deer and rabbits.

Bearded Iris blooms reliably each spring. Flowers come in a wide range of colors, including white, yellow, purple, blue, pink, and shades of orange.

Iris blooms are large, fragrant, and are excellent cut flowers. Iris spreads slowly over time and can be divided once every few years. This should take place to prevent overcrowding.

Black-eyed Susan

	botanical name Rudbeckia hirta
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 3-7

Black-eyed Susan is a showy wildflower native to the central United States. Also known as Rudbeckia, these plants are easily grown from seed or young plant starts.

They will readily self-seed and can spread into a naturalized area, or you can remove any unwanted seedlings that sprout in the spring to keep them contained to a particular area. Grow them in full sun with rich, moist, well-drained soil.

Black-eyed Susan looks great in a sunny perennial garden or a pollinator garden. Plants reliably bloom each summer and produce an abundance of flowers with showy bright yellow petals and dark brown centers. The flowers attract butterflies and bees.

Bugleweed

	botanical name Ajuga reptans
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 6” to 9”
	hardiness zones 3-10

Bugleweed makes an excellent low-maintenance flowering ground cover. It does best in a sunny location with average, medium-moisture soil and is resistant to deer and rabbits. Plant bugleweed as a border, along a walkway edge, or in odd corners that need something green. The leafy rosettes will spread over time to fill in and cover bare ground.

Bugleweed starts flowering in the late spring through early summer. Spikes of small, tubelike purple-blue flowers provide a showy display and contrast nicely with surrounding vegetation.

Leaves may be shades of purple or green and are attractive throughout the growing season. In warmer climates, the leaves are evergreen.

Butterfly Milkweed

	botanical name Herbaceous perennial
	plant type Annual
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 2.5 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

If you want a low-maintenance native plant that also attracts butterflies and pollinators, this one is for you. Butterfly milkweed is a host plant for the Monarch butterfly caterpillar. Many other species of butterflies and bees are attracted to the flowers. Flowers are bright and showy, blooming from early to mid-summer.

Butterfly milkweed grows best in full sun. It prefers soils that are well-drained but isn’t too picky about soil quality. Plants are resistant to deer and rabbits, and established plants are quite resistant to drought. There are several other species of milkweed available, but this one stays quite compact and seems to be a butterfly favorite.

Coreopsis

	botanical name Coreopsis lanceolata
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 2 feet
	hardiness zones 4-9

There are several species of coreopsis, and any would be a fine additional to a perennial garden, pollinator garden, or low-maintenance landscape. The lanceleaf coreopsis is a wildflower native to the central and eastern United States.

This plant has attractive, finely serrated feathery foliage and cheery, bright yellow flowers. Coreopsis blooms throughout the summer months and attracts butterflies and other pollinators.

Deer and rabbits don’t generally bother these plants. They are not too picky about soil quality, although they do prefer well-drained soil with regular moisture. Plants readily self-seed, so you may want to deadhead spent flowers to prevent extra seedlings or be prepared to thin them as needed.

Creeping Phlox

	botanical name Herbaceous perennial
	plant type Annual
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 6” to 12”
	hardiness zones 5-9

Creeping phlox grows low to the ground and can form large masses, making an excellent ground cover. Creeping phlox would look nice planted along borders and edges or grown in a rock garden. You can plant creeping phlox pretty much anywhere in the garden where you need a low-growing perennial plant with early-season color.

In late spring through early summer, dense masses of pinkish-purple flowers cover the plant. The tiny leaves are evergreen and maintain interest throughout the year. Creeping phlox plants are not bothered by deer and rabbits and are quite tolerant of less-than-ideal conditions.

Daffodil

	botanical name Narcissus var.
	plant type Bulb
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 0.5 to 2 feet
	hardiness zones 4-8

Spring is daffodil season. Daffodils bloom in various combinations of white, yellow, and orange, including a shade of orange that verges on pink. These cheery bulbs are readily available and super easy to grow.

Simply plant them in a sunny location in the spring or fall, approximately 3 to 5 inches deep, cover them with soil, and wait for them to bloom. Daffodils are resistant to deer and rabbits, tolerant of dry soil and clay soil, and even tolerant of being dug up and moved every year.

One of the first flowers to bloom each spring, daffodils begin their annual cycle by sending up a few long green, grass-like leaves. Soon after the leaves emerge, a long green flower stalk will emerge, and when it reaches full height, the bud will open, and you will be faced with a bit of eye candy.

Daffodils are excellent cut flowers. Each year, the bulbs will multiply underground, and you will soon have beautiful clumps of showy spring flowers.

Daylily

	botanical name Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 1 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 4-10

Daylilies have been around a long time, and for many good reasons. They are hardy, low-maintenance, easy to grow, tolerant of a variety of conditions, and beautiful. That said, they to have a tendency to spread and may be considered invasive in localized areas. In a home landscape, they are usually quite manageable.

The yellow daylily (H. lilioasphodelus) has large, showy, bright yellow flowers and blooms in late spring. The flowers are lightly fragrant and attract an assortment of pollinators. Long grass-like leaves form dense clumps and help block out weeds.

Dianthus

Scientific Name:

	botanical name Dianthus gratianofolitanus ‘Grandiflorus’
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6” to 12”
	hardiness zones 3-8

Dianthus, also called “Cheddar Pink,” is an attractive, low-maintenance ground cover. Grow it along an edge or border, or even in a container garden. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil, as it is prone to root rot in wet soils. It blooms each year reliably, from late spring to early summer, and is tolerant of deer and rabbits.

Dianthus ‘Grandiflorus’ leaves are fairly small and thin. Flowers are bright pink and quite showy. There really isn’t anything special you need to do with Dianthus; just plant it in a good spot in the garden, give it a little water to get it started, and enjoy it’s perky blooms each spring.

Feather Reed Grass

	botanical name Calamagrostis x acutiflora
	plant type Ornamental grass
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2.5 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 4-8

Ornamental grasses can add diversity and interest to the landscape. They are fairly low-maintenance, easy-to-grow plants. The feather reed grass is an attractive clump-forming grass with feathery plumes that bloom from summer to fall.

There are multiple varieties of this grass, some with pink flowers and some with variegated leaves, so you will have attractive options to choose from.

Grow feather reed glass in a sunny location with well-drained soil. Soil can be medium moisture and even a bit wet. The seed heads attract hungry birds, and the dense leafy clumps will provide shelter for wildlife, so this is an excellent plant for a wildlife-friendly garden.

Flowering Quince

	botanical name Chaenomeles speciosa
	plant type Deciduous shrub
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 6 to 10 feet
	hardiness zones 4-8

This beautiful shrub reaches full bloom in early to mid-spring, as many other plants are starting to wake up. Flowering quince is an easily grown plant in areas of full sun to light shade.

This popular plant can handle a range of soil conditions but prefers medium moisture, well-drained soil. Because plants bloom on old wood, you don’t need to do any major pruning other than removing dead or scraggly branches, as needed.

Flowering quince makes an excellent plant for hedges and borders, or as a stand-alone shrub. The flowers are numerous and showy, a bright pinkish-red in color.

After blooming, quince produces large fleshy fruits (also called quince fruits) which look somewhat like pears, and are edible, although can be bitter. The branches are a bit thorny, so be careful when working around a quince.

Inkberry

	botanical name Ilex glabra
	plant type Broadleaf evergreen
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 5 to 8 feet
	hardiness zones 4-9

Inkberry is related to holly, but it doesn’t have prickly leaves. This plant is ideal for hedges and borders, especially in areas where you would like something to spread a bit.

Inkberry has a habit of spreading by underground root suckers and will eventually form a lush, leafy, evergreen colony. New growths can be pruned to control any unwanted spread.

Leaves are simple, smooth, and glossy. Flowers bloom in late spring to early summer but are small and insignificant looking. After flowering, female plants will produce small inky-black berries that are favored by fruit-eating birds. This plant is tolerant to a range of conditions and prefers a location with moist to wet soil.

Lambs’ Ear

	botanical name Stachys byzantina
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.75 to 1.5 feet
	hardiness zones 4-8

Lambs’ ear is easily recognized by its very soft, fuzzy leaves. This plant is low-growing and makes an excellent ground cover. It will spread over time by creeping, but it is very easy to control unwanted sprawl by simply removing any extra growth. Flowers bloom in the spring and early summer as spikes of pale purple blooms.

Lambs’ ear is resistant to deer and rabbits. It is tolerant of dry and rocky soils but intolerant of wet soils. This plant needs a sunny location with decent air circulation, or it has a tendency to develop fungal infections if it is allowed to trap too much moisture in the roots and leaves.

Some leaves will dry and die back in late summer through fall. These can be easily removed, and the plant will regrow with gusto the following spring.

Lantana

	botanical name Lantana camara var.
	plant type Deciduous shrub
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3 to 6 feet
	hardiness zones 7-10

Many lantana varieties are hardy only in the warmest climate zones, but some are hardy to zone 7. Give lantana a hard pruning each winter after the first frost, and add a layer of winter mulch to protect the roots from freezing. In the spring, the plant will regrow into a surprisingly substantial shrub. Lantana likes a location with medium-moisture, well-drained soil.

Lantana plants bloom each year profusely. From mid-summer through frost, clusters of small multicolor blooms cover the plant. Tiny flowers in yellow, orange, pink, and/or purple often appear in a single cluster. The leaves have a distinct, pungently fragrant smell. The flowers attract both butterflies and hummingbirds.

Marigold

	botanical name Tagetes patula
	plant type Annual
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.5 to 1.5 feet
	hardiness zones 2-11

Marigold is a very common bedding plant that is readily available as seedlings in the spring. It can also easily be grown from seed by sowing directly into the garden in the spring. The flowers are bright and cheerful shades of yellow and orange.

They attract butterflies and hummingbirds but are generally not bothered by deer or rabbits. The flowers and leaves have a distinctive ‘marigold’ scent, and they make long-lasting cut flowers.

If you have empty places in your garden and need something to fill in the gaps, marigolds are a good choice. Plant them in a sunny location, and they will bloom nonstop from summer until the first frost. There are many varieties of beautiful marigolds to choose from, so have fun selecting the ones that you like best!

Monkey Grass

	botanical name Liriope muscari
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to shade
	height .75 to 1 foot
	hardiness zones 5-10

Monkey grass, also known as Liriope, or lilyturf, is about as low maintenance as it gets. This plant tolerates just about any condition possible, from full sun to full shade, dry soil to quite wet. They will slowly spread outwards over time, growing by underground runners, and would be an excellent plant to use for erosion control or colonizing hard-to-grow areas.

Monkey grass looks like thick grass. It has long green blades that stay evergreen in warmer climates. The leaves grow in dense clusters, and miniature varieties of this plant can actually be grown as a grass-like substitute in low-traffic areas. In late summer, tall spikes of tiny, pale purple flowers appear. This plant is tolerant of rabbits, deer, and just about everything else.

Panicle Hydrangea

	botanical name Hydrangea paniculata
	plant type Deciduous shrub
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 8 to 15 feet
	hardiness zones 3-8

Hydrangeas aren’t well known for being full-sun friendly, with one exception. The panicle hydrangea is an attractive, low-maintenance shrub that can actually do quite well in sunny conditions.

The only regular work you’ll need to do with this plant is pruning each spring. Flowers bloom on new wood, and pruning will encourage fresh growth early in the year to get a full bloom.

In late summer through early fall, panicle hydrangea blooms with large, showy clusters of creamy white flowers. Panicles look nice planted as a single specimen but can also make a great hedge plant. Give it well-drained, medium-moisture soil that is rich in organic matter.

Peppermint

	botanical name Mentha x piperita
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 1 to 2 feet
	hardiness zones 5-9

Peppermint is a fairly low-maintenance plant. It can grow quite aggressively, however. You’ll want to pull up the runners that spread too much or simply plant peppermint in a large pot so it will not take over your flower beds. Give it moist soil and full sun, and you will soon have an abundance of aromatic peppermint!

The familiar smell of peppermint comes from the leaves, stems, and flowers. Peppermint is mostly a robustly leafy green plant, but it does produce clusters of tiny flowers that attract a variety of pollinators.

Pink Muhlygrass

	botanical name Muhlenbergia capillaris
	plant type Ornamental grass
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 5-9

This is an ornamental grass that is easy to grow and produces beautiful showy autumn blooms. During the summer months, the long, thin, tubular leaves form a dense, rounded clump. Through mid to late fall, flowers appear, creating a fine pink haze around the plant.

Pink muhlygrass thrives in full sun. Soil should be well-drained, with dry to medium moisture. This plant is tolerant of sandy, poor-quality soils. Plants may spread by seed, but it generally is not an aggressive spreader. Deer and rabbits do not bother this grass.

Rosemary

	botanical name Salvia rosmarinus
	plant type Evergreen shrub
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2 to 6 feet
	hardiness zones 7-10

This highly aromatic, woody evergreen shrub is at home in an herb garden, perennial garden, or even a large container. It can be grown as a perennial in zones 7-10, and in colder climates can be grown as an annual. Small light purple flowers bloom from spring into the summer months and attract pollinators.

Rosemary is an excellent choice for a smaller shrub in a sunny garden location. Give it well-drained soil that is slightly acidic. Rosemary likes soil to be dry to slightly moist but not too wet. You probably won’t need to worry about watering unless you live in a particularly dry climate.

Rose of Sharon

	botanical name Hibiscus syriacus
	plant type Deciduous shrub
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 8 to 12 feet
	hardiness zones 5-8

Rose of Sharon is a familiar low-maintenance shrub. It makes a great hedge plant, or plant it along a fence, or use it as an accent plant. It blooms from mid-summer through early fall. Flowers are large and showy, typically light pink or purple in color, with a darker pink center. Rose of Sharon attracts a multitude of bees and butterflies.

Rose of Sharon can grow in partial shade to full sun. It prefers rich, moist soil but can tolerate even poor soil conditions. Ideally, this plant will self-seed, so you’ll need to manage occasional unwanted plants that spread around your garden.

Sedum (Stonecrop)

	botanical name Sedum rupestre
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3” to 6”
	hardiness zones 5-8

Sedum, also known as stonecrop, is an easy evergreen ground cover. This plant tolerates deer, rabbits, and dry, poor-quality soils. It does require well-drained soil and full sun to do its best. Plant sedum in a rock garden or dry border area for a bit of year-round vegetation.

This stonecrop has tiny succulent leaves that are silvery-green in color. In spring, clusters of yellowish-green flowers emerge, and although the flowers aren’t large and showy, they are still attractive. Plants are easily propagated by cuttings and don’t require any special care for success after planting.

Spirea

	botanical name Spiraea var
	plant type Deciduous shrub
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3 to 5 feet
	hardiness zones 4-8

Spirea is a low-maintenance shrub that prefers to grow in well-drained soils. Full sun conditions are preferred for proper growth and bloom production. There are many species available to choose from, giving you a variety of options when it comes to flower color.

Spirea blooms in the spring and will flower through early summer. Large, showy clusters of white or pink flowers attract both butterflies and bees. Flowers bloom on new wood, so you should prune in late winter or early spring, which will encourage fresh new growth and plenty of flowers.

Yarrow

	botanical name Achillea millefolium
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

Yarrow is an easy low-growing plant with pale green feathery foliage. Plant it in well-drained soil in full sun. Yarrow has a tendency to grow vigorously, so it makes an excellent filler plant for hard-to-colonize areas, but if you may eventually need to pull out new shoots that extend beyond its boundaries.

This hardy low-maintenance perennial is not bothered by deer and rabbits. It also tolerates occasional drought and poor soil conditions. Yarrow flowers, however, attract butterflies and other pollinators.

Yarrow’s flowers may be white, yellow, or various shades of pink. In hot and dry conditions, leaves may die back in mid to late summer, but they should regrow the following spring.

Zinnia

	botanical name Zinnia elegans
	plant type Annual
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 4 feet
	hardiness zones 2-11

Zinnias are quick growing-annuals (in most climates) that are easily grown in the home landscape. They bloom throughout the summer and until the first frost. Their showy, colorful flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds, and they make great cut flowers.

Zinnias are very easy to grow from seed, or you can buy young plant starts in the spring. Just plant them in a sunny spot, give them a little water to get them started, and watch them grow. These showy, fast-growing, low-maintenance annual flowers are an easy winner in the garden.