Emily Flores
Some flowers seem determined to survive no matter what you throw at them. They don’t beg for perfect conditions, and they certainly don’t need hand-holding. Instead, they just keep growing and delivering color. And that’s what makes them ideal for busy or brand-new gardeners. Here are 11 low-maintenance flowers you practically can’t kill.
Marigolds
Marigolds are the easy-going blooms that keep gardens lively. They’ll grow in rough soil, love the sun, and pests don’t stand a chance. Many gardeners even pair them with veggies because they act like little bodyguards. Their petals? Totally edible. And in different cultures, they’re also a symbol of celebration.
Daylilies
Just imagine a garden bursting with bold color in every season. That’s what these flowers give you. Daylilies thrive through heat and humidity, settling into almost any soil. Each flower shines for one day, and by morning, another has taken its place. Some varieties are even prized in traditional cooking, and once established, plants flourish in the same spot for decades.
Zinnias
Zinnias don’t ask for much, but they deliver. Their bright petals thrive even in dry conditions, inviting butterflies to dance around them. When the season ends, just collect the seeds, and you’re ready for next year’s show. In fact, zinnias made history as the first flower to blossom in space aboard the International Space Station.
Black-Eyed Susans
Black-Eyed Susans have brightened fields for generations. Tough enough to survive poor soil and dry spells, they reward patience with months of cheerful blooms. Butterflies visit faithfully, and Marylanders have long embraced them as a symbol of home and tradition.
Coneflowers
In tough soil or dry conditions, coneflowers continue to shine. Flowers even appear for months with almost no effort, while pollinators like bees and butterflies bring motion and life to the garden. And beneath those blossoms, the roots carry a long legacy in herbal medicine, trusted for supporting health and resilience.
Hostas
Hostas are the go-to perennials for shady gardens. Even if neglected, they continue to thrive. Most of the allure comes from their colorful and textured leaves, often taking center stage over flowers. Once established, hostas grow larger each year and can live in the same spot for decades. Just one heads-up: deer think those leaves are a tasty snack.
Geraniums
There’s a reason gardeners keep coming back to geraniums. They aren’t fussy about where they grow—containers, boxes, even poor soil works fine. With time, they ask for little water yet reward you with lasting color. Additionally, their fragrant foliage offers another gift, gently discouraging mosquitoes from lingering too long.
Petunia
Few flowers work as hard as petunias. Give them sun, and you will get months of blooms. Even brief dry spells don’t stop them. Also, Hummingbirds hover close, drawn to the color. Petunias also come in many forms, such as striped, ruffled, or trailing, making it easy to add color anywhere you plant them.
Lavender
Lavender survives where little else grows. Dry, rocky soil? Fine. Water? Minimal. Additionally, its calming scent charms humans and pollinators alike. Once treasured in perfumery and rituals, today it still turns any space into a fragrant haven.
Sedum
Sedum makes gardening simple. The leaves store water like little tanks, so the plant needs almost no maintenance. That’s why it’s frequently called “stonecrop” because it grows happily on rocks. And when planted in large numbers, sedum can transform even rooftops into vibrant, living green spaces.