Keeping a garden alive is one thing—keeping it alive when life gets hectic is another. Some flowers practically demand attention, but others? They’re happy to do their own thing. If you’ve ever forgotten to water, skipped the weeding, or just don’t have time to babysit your plants, you need flowers that can handle a little neglect.
The good news is that plenty of low-maintenance flowers keep blooming even when you’re busy. They don’t need perfect conditions, constant watering, or a second thought. Just plant them, give them a little sun, and let them do their thing.
Marigolds
Marigolds are one of the easiest flowers to grow, and they bloom from spring all the way to fall. They grow fast from seed, making them perfect if you want quick color in your garden. The bright yellow, red, and gold blooms also help keep mosquitoes away, so they’re great for planting near patios and walkways.
They love full sun and can handle dry or sandy soil. Water them well, but let the soil dry out between waterings to prevent root rot. Once they get going, they pretty much take care of themselves.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are the definition of low-maintenance. They shoot up fast, thrive in full sun, and can handle drought and heat like a pro. Some varieties stay small, but others can reach up to 16 feet tall. Their blooms attract bees, butterflies, and birds, adding even more life to your garden.
They aren’t picky about soil, as long as it’s not waterlogged. Taller varieties might need some support to keep them from falling over, but otherwise, you can just plant them and watch them grow.
Zinnias
Zinnias are perfect for busy gardeners who want color without the hassle. They bloom all summer in shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, and white, and they attract butterflies, adding even more beauty to your garden.
They grow best in full sun with well-drained soil and moderate watering. Deadheading spent flowers encourages even more blooms, but even if you forget, they’ll still put on a show. Plus, they come in a variety of shapes, from classic daisy-like blooms to fuller, pom-pom styles.
Geraniums
Geraniums are one of the easiest ways to add color to your garden, window boxes, or hanging baskets. They bloom from spring until frost in shades of red, pink, purple, and white. Birds love them, but pests tend to leave them alone, making them a hassle-free choice.
They prefer rich, well-drained soil and regular watering, but they don’t like sitting in water. In hot climates, a little afternoon shade helps keep them looking fresh.
Frikart’s Aster
Frikart’s aster is one of those flowers that just keeps going. It grows up to 3 feet tall and spreads about 18 inches wide, producing bright lavender-blue blooms from midsummer through fall. It’s a great choice if you want long-lasting color without having to replant every year.
This plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it doesn’t need much water and can handle short dry spells. A little deadheading will keep the blooms coming, but even if you forget, it still puts on a great show.
Purple Wood Sage
Purple wood sage is a tough, easy-to-grow perennial that brings plenty of color to the garden. It grows about 2 feet tall and wide, producing spiky purple blooms that pollinators love. It’s one of those flowers that looks good without a lot of effort, making it perfect for busy gardeners.
It does best in full sun with well-drained soil and doesn’t need much attention once it’s settled in. Occasional trimming helps encourage new growth.
Dwarf Plumbago
Dwarf plumbago is a low-growing, spreading plant that fills in garden beds without taking over. It stays about a foot tall but spreads up to 2 feet wide, making it a great ground cover. The deep blue flowers show up in summer and keep going into fall, adding color when other plants start to fade.
It grows well in full sun to light shade and doesn’t mind dry conditions once established. As a bonus, the leaves turn a reddish-bronze in fall, giving you a little extra seasonal interest with zero effort.
Black-Eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susans are one of the easiest flowers to grow, and they look good just about anywhere. They reach 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, producing bright yellow flowers with dark centers from midsummer to early fall. Butterflies love them, and they make great cut flowers, too.
They thrive in full sun but can handle partial shade and even drought once established. Rich, well-drained soil is ideal, but they’ll grow in less-than-perfect conditions without a problem. If you leave the seed heads through winter, birds will enjoy them, and you’ll likely get even more flowers the next year.
*This article was created with the assistance of AI.