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Low-maintenance plants can provide a flourishing garden with minimal time and effort. By selecting plants suited to your garden's conditions, you can enjoy a beautiful outlook without constant upkeep.
Our guide shows you how to choose low-maintenance plants for your garden.
Assess your garden conditions
Begin by evaluating your garden’s conditions. Consider the type of soil. Is it clay-based, sandy, or loamy? Understanding your soil type helps you select plants that are naturally suited to it, reducing the need for extra care.
Next, assess your garden's light. Does the garden get full sun, partial sun, or is it shaded? Plants need to match your garden’s light conditions to thrive.
Watering requirements are also an important consideration. What is your climate? Do you live in a region with dry conditions, or does your garden receive regular rainfall? All plants need water, but low-maintenance varieties are typically more drought-tolerant and require less frequent watering.
Finally, think about how much maintenance you want to invest. Some plants require little pruning or pest management, while others might need more attention. You might also like to consider installing an automatic watering system, ensuring your plants get the right amount of water without constant attention.
Match plants to your conditions
Once you know your garden’s conditions, you can select plants that are best suited. If you have clay-based or poor soil, look for plants that tolerate heavy soil that doesn’t drain well. Lavender is a drought-tolerant plant that grows well in poor soil and full sun. Yucca is another hardy option that thrives in tough conditions, requiring minimal water. Sedum is a great groundcover that thrives in poor soil and full sun, needing little maintenance.
For gardens with limited sunlight, choose plants that thrive in shade. Hostas are ideal for shaded areas, providing lush foliage with minimal care. Creeping Jenny is a fast-growing groundcover that tolerates both sun and shade, perfect for shady spots or areas with varying light. For more information, take a look at the comprehensive guide How to choose plants for a shaded area.
If you would like to minimise watering, select drought-tolerant plants. Native plants suited to your local climate would be an excellent choice. Native plants tend to be more drought-resistant and better suited to your garden's conditions, reducing the need for extra watering and care. For example, Kangaroo Paw, Lomandra and Grevilleas are beautiful, water-wise options that grow well even in poor soil.
For a garden that requires minimal pruning and is resistant to pests, Coneflower is an excellent choice. It’s hardy, pest-resistant, and attracts pollinators while requiring little attention. Salvia is another low-maintenance plant that thrives in full sun and attracts bees and butterflies. Daylilies are perfect for easy care, providing colourful blooms throughout the summer with little effort.
Consider plant growth habits
Think about the growth habits of the plants you select and how they fit into your garden layout.
If you have limited space, potted plants can be a great option, though they might require more frequent watering as soil in a pot tends to dry out quicker. The good news is many low-maintenance plants can still thrive in pots. For example, Spider Plants do well in pots and tolerate low light. Coleus is also ideal for pots, thriving in partial shade. Succulents like Echeveria also adapt well to pots and require minimal care – just occasional watering. Looking to pot a plant? Our detailed guide How to pot a plant offers everything you need to know.
For larger gardens, Liriope and Buddleja are excellent full-sun options that require minimal maintenance. Liriope creates dense clumps with purple flowers, while Buddleja attracts butterflies with its fragrant blooms.
For native options, Bottlebrush and Banksia thrive in full sun, providing striking flowers and attracting wildlife. For privacy or screening, Murraya is a fast-growing, hardy shrub with fragrant blooms.
For privacy, consider screening plants like Climbing Jasmine, which grows quickly on trellises and offers fragrant flowers.
If you’re looking to add vibrant colour, Zinnias and Salvia are great options. Zinnias grow well in full sun, attracting butterflies and requiring little upkeep. Salvia thrives in full sun and attracts pollinators while being drought-tolerant.
Groundcover plants are excellent for filling spaces and reducing weeds, and typically need very little maintenance. Creeping Thyme is fragrant and drought-tolerant, perfect for sunny areas. Myoporum is also drought-tolerant and fast-growing, ideal for sunny spots. Get more detail from the guide How to choose ground cover for your garden.
Tips for planting
Start with a few plants and observe how they perform before expanding your garden. Grouping plants with similar needs together will also help make maintenance easier and create a more cohesive look.
Need specific advice on what to plant in your garden? Feel free to Ask a question and our friendly and helpful community can assist. Try to include as much information as you can about your soil, climate and requirements.
