Taking care of a garden can sometimes feel like a lot of work, especially if you don’t have time for constant watering or pruning. Luckily, there are many perennials that don’t demand much attention but still add beauty to your space year after year.
These 14 perennials thrive even when you forget about them or let them do their own thing. They are perfect if you want a low-maintenance garden that still looks great without a lot of effort on your part.
Peony
If you want a perennial that doesn’t demand much from you, peonies are a solid choice. They might take a while to bloom, but once they do, they come back year after year without much fuss.
They’re deer and pest resistant, so you’re less likely to deal with damage or disease. Plus, peonies can live for more than 100 years if cared for right. The ants you might see on the buds aren’t harmful—they just like the nectar. You can check more details about peonies that thrive with neglect here.
Catmint
Catmint is a great choice if you want a low-maintenance perennial. You don’t need to water it much once it’s established, as it’s drought tolerant.
It grows well in almost any well-draining soil and can handle some neglect without looking bad. Plus, it’s resistant to pests and diseases, so you don’t have to worry about treating it often. You can trim it back when it starts to look tired to keep it fresh. Find out more about how catmint thrives with little care here.
Lavender
Lavender is a great choice if you want a plant that handles neglect well. It loves sunny spots and doesn’t need much water once established. You can let it grow naturally or trim it back lightly to keep it tidy. Its scent also helps keep bugs away from your garden.
If you’re looking for an easy-care perennial, lavender is definitely worth trying. For more tips, check out this guide on flowering perennials that thrive with neglect.
Sage
If you’re looking for something tough, sage is a great choice. It handles heat and dry soil without much fuss.
You’ll like how it spreads on its own and can bloom even in mild winters. Just give it some space to grow, and it’ll reward you with color and scent. Sages come in a bunch of colors, so you can pick one that fits your garden vibe easily.
Rosemary
Rosemary is tough and loves a little neglect. You want well-drained soil because it doesn’t like being too wet.
If your rosemary seems unhappy, check for root rot, which happens with too much moisture. It’s great if you’re not hands-on all the time since it can handle dry spells. For more details, you can see tips on rosemary care that thrives with neglect here.
Thyme
Thyme is a great choice if you want a low-maintenance perennial. You can plant it in poor soil, and it still does well with minimal watering. It’s also pretty tough, so neglect won’t easily harm it.
Plus, thyme smells nice and can be used in cooking. It even attracts pollinators when it blooms.
Amaryllis
If you want a low-maintenance flower that pops with color, amaryllis is a good pick. You just need to plant the bulb and give it some sunlight.
Amaryllis can bounce back even if you forget to water it occasionally. Plus, it grows big, striking blooms that brighten your space without much fuss. If you’re looking for a tough perennial, crinum lilies are a solid choice. They can handle long dry spells and still bounce back when you water them again.
These plants often show up in old gardens or neglected spots and keep blooming. They also bring some nice fragrance and large, showy flowers to your space.
Red Spider Lily
The red spider lily blooms on tall, naked stalks, usually in late September or October. You won’t see leaves when it flowers, which makes it easy to spot.
It’s drought-tolerant and can handle periods of neglect, so it’s perfect if you want a low-maintenance plant. You can even grow it in containers if you live in warmer climates.
Rain Lily
You’ll appreciate how Rain Lilies pop up after rain without much fuss. They grow from bulbs and don’t need constant watering or care.
Their small, colorful blooms add a nice touch to neglected spots. Plus, they can handle different soil types and still look good in your garden.
Gingers
Gingers are surprisingly low-maintenance perennials. You can plant them in shady, well-drained spots, and they’ll grow with very little care.
They don’t require much water once established, making them perfect if you tend to forget watering. Their bold leaves add a tropical feel to your garden without needing much attention.
Bunny Switzenberg
Bunny Switzenberg is a hardy perennial that doesn’t ask for much. You can plant it in poor soil, and it’ll still come back year after year without fuss. It’s perfect if you want low-maintenance color in your garden.
You won’t need to water it often once it’s established. Just let it do its thing and enjoy the blooms.
Bridal Wreath
If you want a plant that doesn’t need much attention, Bridal Wreath is a solid choice. It’s a tough shrub that thrives on neglect and produces loads of white flowers in late spring.
You can plant it in full sun or partial shade, and it handles a variety of conditions well. Its arching branches create a nice, natural shape that looks great in any garden. Check out more about Bridal Wreath here.
Marigold
Marigolds are perfect if you want bright, cheerful flowers without much fuss. You can plant them almost anywhere, and they’ll handle heat and poor soil without complaining.
You don’t need to water them often, making marigolds great for busy gardeners or dry climates. They also help keep pests away from your garden, which is a nice bonus.