Not everyone is born with a green thumb, so it might be intimidating to take up a garden trowel for the first time. But even those who destroy everything they attempt to grow may be relieved to learn that some plants survive with little care.
Eldred Steinkopf observes that “what is easy outside is different inside since we are totally in charge of the care of our houseplants,” and that maintaining outdoor plants depends on the soil, light, and the amount of effort you choose to devote to them.
There are ten distinct climatic zones, according to Pleasant, with wide fluctuations in temperature and precipitation. Some plants do better in some places than others depending on their demands.
According to Eldred Steinkopf, perennials and shrubs (including varieties of Panicle hydrangeas, Rose of Sharon, quince, spireas, viburnums, barberry, fothergilla, and ninebark) are among the outdoor plants that are suitable for growing easily outside the Midwest and the eastern part of the United States.
We examine these and other minimal maintenance, practically unkillable plants in more detail below for novice gardeners.
Which outdoor plant requires the least amount of maintenance?
Each and every Slideshow
- 15 geraniums, number 1. For good reason, geraniums are a popular annual among gardeners.
- 15 total; 2 petunias.
- 15 of 3 are sedums.
- Hostas: 4 out of 15.
- Coralbells, 5 of 15.
- 15. Weigela. 6.
- The Best Easy-Care Perennial Flowers, number 7 of 15.
- 15 of 8, mint.
What outdoor plant requires the least amount of care?
14 Easy Landscaping Plants with Low Maintenance
- Ribbon Grass, an ornamental grass.
- Fescue is an ornamental grass.
- Tree: Honeylocust with no thorns.
- The juniper shrub.
- Hardy Geranium, a perennial flowering plant.
- Dianthus is a perennial flower.
- Hydrangea is a shrub that blooms.
- Gold Sedge, please.
Which plants can be left outside all year long?
Gardeners frequently toss, multiply, or locate a home in the ground for their outdoor potted plants as the weather turns chilly in the fall. It’s unfortunate since a lot of this is a waste of time and resources. Many shrubs and perennials can survive for a number of years in containers. Utilizing this quality will allow you to spend less time and money maintaining your pots. Depending on the plants you select, your containers might give you interest throughout the entire year, and you could give your designs coherence.
Life in a container vs one in the ground is very different for plants. Although containers might offer good drainage, you are the only source of water and nutrients for the plants. Although this varies depending on the plant, temperature, and container, shrubs and larger perennials frequently stay smaller in a pot. Additionally, containers don’t protect a plant’s roots from the cold.
The plant should be hardy to two zones colder than your USDA Hardiness Zone in order for it to survive the winter in a container. However, I have successfully overwintered plants that shouldn’t have survived and I have failed with ones that should have in my Maryland garden, which barely meets the requirements for Zone 7. I’ve discovered a wide variety of plants that can survive year after year in a container through trial and error. I’ve chosen the top 10 because they are not only resilient enough to live, but also stylish while doing so.
‘Golden Sword’ yucca combines with almost anything
Seasons in one pot. The main plants in this container are bergenia and yucca, which shine in the summer and fall. Stems from yellow and redtwig dogwoods add to the yucca’s brilliant display in winter after the bergenia has died back. Pansies and lamium take center stage in the spring, before the yucca and bergenia have recovered their former forms.
‘Golden Sword’ yucca (Yucca filamentosa ‘Golden Sword’, Zones 411) is a fantastic plant since it pairs well with so many others. Its 2-inch-wide, sword-like leaves feature curling fibers along the edges, thin, dark green margins, and golden yellow centers. It spreads equally and develops 2 to 3 feet high with a spiky, architectural shape.
Although it may tolerate little shade, this yucca prefers dry, sunny environments. On 3- to 6-foot-tall stems, creamy white, fragrant flowers appear in the summertime in the heart of the shrub. The leaves may appear a little flat in the late winter, but it will reappear in the spring. To keep the area looking neat, remove the outdated foliage.
‘Green Mountain’ boxwood keeps its color all year
Even though it’s challenging, living in a container will keep it smaller than its typical dimensions of 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Place “Green Mountain” in a partially shaded area, away from strong winds. If at all feasible, rotate the pot from time to time to balance the plant’s exposure to light and prevent the growth of bare sides. Boxwood known as “Green Mountain” (Buxus “Green Mountain,” Zones 49) is a slow-growing shrub that, in contrast to many other boxwoods, keeps its dark green color all winter long. This variety in particular is one of my favorites since it develops into a lovely pyramid as opposed to a meatball-shaped shrub.
Golden creeping Jenny is perfect for the edge of the pot
In a container, the golden creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’, Zones 48) consistently delivers. This plant, which stands 4 inches tall, gracefully hangs over a pot’s rim. The golden, coin-shaped leaves of this plant complement anything. It prefers some shade but adores water, and will even flourish in a water garden. It can also tolerate direct sunlight, but you must maintain wet soil.
Japanese pieris has colorful new growth
This shrub (Pieris japonica and cvs., Zones 68) is deer-resistant and a great choice for pots. Although Japanese pieris’ evergreen foliage is interesting year-round, the spring growth is particularly beautiful, with hues ranging from rich crimson to creamy white, depending on the cultivar.
The flower buds are often dark red in winter, with some opening to pink hues. Early in the spring, delicate racemes of white, urn-shaped blooms, measuring 3 to 6 inches long, begin to develop. This shrub’s beautiful branches fall gracefully over the sides of containers.
Because compact varieties like “Dorothy Wyckoff” grow compactly, smaller plants are not usually required for a visually appealing container display. Japanese pieris may grow in either full sun or whole shade. Keep it out of the harsh winds and sun of winter.
‘Emerald’ arborvitae works where you need some height
It is simple to blend with other plants due to the form and texture of its foliage. It will be kept significantly below its native size, which is 15 feet high and 4 feet broad, by a container. Put it in either full sun or moderate shade. Because it keeps its vibrant green color throughout the winter, emerald arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Emerald’, syn. ‘Smaragd’, Zones 27) offers outstanding year-round interest. This cultivar of our native arborvitae has an upright, slender habit that works well as the vertical accent that many pots require.
Bergenia has bold leaves that shine in containers
Bergenia (Bergenia cordifolia and cvs., Zones 38) is one of my favorite plants since it is a vigorous grower and adds a striking element to a container design with its green, glossy, oval leaves. The leaves are between 10 and 20 inches long and 6 to 8 inches wide. In the fall, they turn a stunning shade of crimson. On 12- to 15-inch-long stalks, bergenia blooms in the early spring; the pink blossoms resemble hyacinths.
Because of the great drainage, the plant actually grows better in my containers than in my beds. Grow it either in full sun or very light shade.
Tips for overwintering plants in containers
Pick a container that won’t freeze. Pick a pot made of stone, heavy plastic, fiberglass, lead, or iron that has a drainage hole in the bottom. In cold weather, most terra-cotta would shatter, but I’ve had success with glazed pottery.
Utilize quality potting soil. There are mixtures available that are developed expressly for use in containers and offer the vital drainage that potted plants require.
In the fall, stop feeding. If you fertilize with a water-soluble fertilizer, you should stop feeding your plants six to eight weeks before the first date of your first frost. This will stop any delicate new growth that wouldn’t make it through the winter. When the plants start growing again in the spring, start fertilizing once more.
Winter with water. Until the soil in the container is frozen, add water as needed. Because the plants in frozen pots are unable to absorb the water, avoid watering them.
Put some antidesiccant on. Use Wilt-Pruf on broadleaf evergreens and conifers to shield them from winter wind damage.
Every few years, repotte. Repot your plants every three years to be safe, even though some plants will live longer in a container.
Variegated redtwig dogwood is big and beautiful
A mass of variegated Solomon’s seal around the base of the container hides it for the most of the year. The shrub’s variegated leaves make a lovely contrast to the hydrangeas planted in the ground on each side of it. Old branches should be cut off in the early spring as the dogwood’s brightest color shows on young stems. Place this shrub in full sun to partial shade, and keep an eye out for Japanese beetle attacks in the summer. Variegated redtwig dogwood (Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima’, Zones 28) is another plant that thrives in containers. Its vivid red stems show in winter, especially if there is an evergreen background, and its leaves have white borders and grayish green cores. For three years, a single “Elegantissima” plant in a blue porcelain container 24 inches wide has served as the main point of one of our borders.
Heucheras provide small spots of interest
Heucheras are appealing, low-growing perennials that excel at adding interest below the taller plants in a container (Heuchera spp. and cvs., Zones 38). Their magnificent lobed foliage, which frequently has silver veins running through its green or purple leaves. Due to its preference for well-drained soil and ease of winter recovery, heucheras are particularly well-suited for containers. Most heucheras produce flower panicles with white, pink, or crimson blooms and grow into a 12- to 18-inch-diameter mounds. Depending on the cultivar, they will grow in either full sun or full shade.
‘Blue Star’ juniper has a useful color
The juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’, which grows slowly and is hardy to Zone 49, has closely organized, 1/4-inch-long steel blue needles. The plant stands out in the winter because of this color. It is slow to grow and only grows to a height of 3 feet with a spread of 3 to 4 feet. Because it goes well with most colors and the branches gracefully arch over a pot’s lip, it performs well in containers. Although it will tolerate little shade, it likes full sun. It dislikes humid environments.
‘Fuldaglut’ sedum is a small plant that makes a big splash
Sedum spurium ‘Fuldaglut,’ found in Zones 49, is distinguished by its bronze-red leaves that turn scarlet in the winter. Larger leaves than those of other species make up the finely scalloped foliage, which in the late summer is covered in cerise blossoms that can last up to three weeks. This sedum, which is only 6 inches tall and 12 inches broad, can be used to adorn the edge of a pot and even makes decent cut flowers for little bouquets. Though it will still thrive in some shade, it prefers full light.
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Which plants require the least amount of care?
There’s no need to obsess about caring for your plants in order to negate those advantages. Don’t worry if you have a propensity to overlook the presence of living things in your house.
Here are 11 plants that will never fail for the forgetful among us. I’m talking about things that are so low-maintenance that they’ll make fun of your carelessness.
Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)
Aloe may be my favorite plant because it continues to love me despite my forgetfulness. Aloe is ideal for you if you can’t recall the last time you watered your plants.
Even though it would be difficult for me to describe anything as indestructible, aloe is more susceptible to dying from too much than too little treatment.
As an example, my amazing boyfriend started misting and watering the plants to help out. He did, however, treat every plant equally. Being so heavily misted or watered made my aloe unhappy. She can return to her cheerful bright self with a little neglect.
ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The best beginning plants are ZZ plants. The ZZ is definitely ideal for you if you frequently forget to water anything, including yourself. Never once did I have to wonder if there was a problem.
It is alone and sitting in the corner right now. I water it occasionally, occasionally I don’t, and we coexist in perfect harmony.
The ZZ earns bonus points for its stunning appearance. Look for a raven ZZa beautiful, black variant if you want something even more distinctive.
Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
have insufficient lighting? Snake plants, often known as “mother-in-tongue” law’s in colloquial usage, are excellent for bathrooms without windows. They also function well in direct, bright light.
These attractive houseplants are ideal if you frequently travel or forget to water your plants because they can survive weeks without receiving even a drop of moisture.
Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider plants are incredibly hardy, making them one of the greatest beginning plants. They remind me of indoor monkey grass, if that makes any sense.
Although they flourish in most environments, spider plants fare best in a hanging basket in front of a window.
Cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior)
If your ideal plant care schedule involves almost minimal maintenance, cast iron plants are great.
Try one of these hardy fellows out if you want a living plant but don’t want to take care of a live plant.
Succulents (multiple families)
Succulents now have their own Instagram feeds and Reddit subreddits, making them the latest trend. Succulents are among the greatest plants for beginners, despite the fact that I personally struggle with them. Therefore, I’m adding them.
Toxicity: The majority are harmless, but not all. Safe bets include Plush Plant, Tree Cactus, and Wax Rosette.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
This is one of the most tolerant indoor plants and is also referred to as devil’s ivy because of its resistance to death. My pothos plants have been neglected for weeks on end, but all they needed was a little water here and there.
Pothos are available in a wide range of exquisite hues, including neon (a vivid, almost yellowish green), marble queen (a green and white patterned), and golden (which has a yellow and green pattern).
Cactus (Cactaceae)
Cacti are members of the succulent family and may essentially be cared after in the same manner.
Avoid cactus for the time being if you overwater, which is probably not the case if you neglect your plants.
Toxicity: The majority are harmless, but not all. Try Sempervivum “Ruby Heart,” Blue Echeveria, and Zebra Haworthia
Philodendron
The two are frequently mistaken because they behave similarly to pothos. These are excellent plants to advance to despite not being quite as hardy as pothos.
You can choose from a wide range of sizes and shapes because philodendrons are a diverse group of plants.
Swiss-cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa)
When I finally felt the urge to level up my modest collection, this was my first “big girl plant.” I was confident and prepared to tackle more challenging tasks.
I may have gotten bigger, but it wasn’t really any harder. It turns out that monstera plants are also remarkably hardy. Monsteras can tolerate a variety of lighting conditions and will overlook occasional watering lapses.
These will develop into monsters, as their name suggests. Keep them in a dimly light place if you’re a bit concerned about space and want them to grow more slowly.