Great low-maintenance outdoor plants

Outdoor plants for containers in the sun or shade

While some plants are generally easier to grow than others, the most low-maintenance outdoor plants for containers are always the right plant for the right place. Matching the plant to the growing conditions will reduce your effort. This means placing sun-loving container plants in areas that receive most of the day's direct sunlight, and shading containers in indirect light. Then, follow these tips to choose the best containers to use, and some ideas for low-maintenance outdoor plants to grow in them.

Container size and material

One of the main challenges in growing outdoor plants in containers is the container's size. Large planters are expensive, heavy to move, and require a lot of filler material, making them expensive. Small containers can restrict growth by restricting the size of the roots, and larger plants in smaller pots may require more frequent watering.

For a low-maintenance container plant, select the appropriate selections for the size of the container you will be using. A tomato plant can be low maintenance in a large garden - about five gallons or more. If you plant the same tomato in a 12-inch pot, it will be very demanding, always wanting water and fertilizer, and will grow smaller and green than you would like.

Container material makes a difference in how much care and maintenance your plants will require. For example, clematis needs cool soil around its roots, so avoid placing it in a dark-colored container. Cocoa coir basket liners look great but drain faster than plastic. Unglazed terra cotta pots are porous and can help the soil dry out faster—good for plants that thrive in dry conditions, like rosemary, but bad for moisture-loving ones like basil.

Low-maintenance container plants

Large containers filled with beautiful plants don't have to be high maintenance. Here are some outdoor plants for sunny and shady spots to get you started.

Sun-loving plants for containers

1. Purple fountain grass (Pennisetum purpureum) is an ornamental grass with spiky, purple leaves that add height and bulk to a low-maintenance container garden. It is heat tolerant and grows very tall in a garden bed, but is very tame in a garden.

2. Superdunias are heat-tolerant hybrids that don't require much maintenance beyond regular watering. Plant them with a controlled-release fertilizer and they'll be happy. No deadheading is required, making these flowering powerhouses an easy choice. They are available in typical petunia colors including white, pink, purple, red, yellow, and fun multicolored patterns.

3. Angelface and other Angelonia hybrids are vertical stunners perfect for adding a tall element to a flowering container garden. They love sunlight and tolerate both overwatering and a little neglect. New Angelonia hybrids will continue to bloom until frost in the fall and are self-cleaning.

4. Salvias are the workhorses of the container garden, with spikes of deep color and nice foliage underneath. They are favored by pollinators, especially hummingbirds. An upright habit and lack of nodding with stems that can reach three feet tall make this long bloomer a great addition to a low-maintenance container.

Shade-loving container plants

1. Rex begonias are excellent evergreens for partial shade. They add lots of color and texture that will last all season without the hassle of deadheading or pruning. Regular humidity is all they need to be happy.

2. Caladiums bring excellent contrasting colors on a single leaf and are great plants to use in a thriller role for a slightly shady spot. Heat tolerance and medium height make them a good pair with begonias and impatiens.

3. Fuchsias enjoy part shade and will provide bright color all summer long in areas with cool summer temperatures, falling over the edge of a pot or basket.

Low-maintenance herbs for outdoor containers

Many people think that herbs are difficult to grow when the opposite is true. If you're looking for low-maintenance outdoor plants for containers that will survive the weekend without asking your friends to sit, traditional herbs are the perfect fit.

1. Rosemary (Rosemarinus Officinalis) can grow as a medium-sized shrub in a large garden. It is a perennial in hot climates, but gardeners in cooler locations can bring it inside for the winter. Rosemary thrives with little neglect—it likes soil on the dry side and doesn't need or require much fertilizer. All you need to grow a pot full of fragrant rosemary is sunlight and occasional watering.

2. Common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is easy to grow and has a low upright profile, but errant stems can spill gracefully over the side of a container. It pairs well with rosemary and sage, not only in the kitchen but also in a pot. All three are Mediterranean herbs that do well in dry soils and low fertility.

3. Common sage or garden sage (Saliva officinalis) is another low-maintenance herb that works well in containers. Combine sage with other herbs to create a chicken spice pot. Its silvery green leaves contrast with the sea green of rosemary and the deep green of thyme.