What are the best low-maintenance plants for containers?
Written by
Benjamin Miller
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Choosing low-maintenance container plants makes urban gardening more accessible for busy lifestyles. These resilient plants bloom with minimal care, offering vibrant foliage. Additionally, you can create stunning combinations with these plants that require minimal watering and care. Begin with hardy selections that are suitable for the available light levels.
Sedum Varieties
- Drought tolerance: Stores water in fleshy leaves surviving weeks without watering
- Sun requirements: Thrives in full sun conditions without scorching
- Maintenance: Needs pruning only once per season in early spring
- Design use: Works as thriller in arrangements with upright growth habit
Lantana
- Heat resilience: Blooms constantly in temperatures above 85°F
- Pest resistance: Naturally repels insects with its strong fragrance
- Water needs: Requires deep watering only every 7-10 days
- Color impact: Flowers transition through sunset hues attracting butterflies
Sweet Potato Vine
- Growth speed: Covers container edges quickly without fertilization
- Versatility: Grows equally well in sun or partial shade
- Disease resistance: Rarely affected by common fungal issues
- Design role: Perfect spiller plant cascading over pot edges
Arrange these plants using the thriller, filler, spiller method to make a truly impactful display. A purple fountain grass (the thriller) as a centerpiece, then coral bells fill the mid-level space, and sweet potato vine spills over the edges of the container. Instantly looks professionally done.
Watering methods vary for low-maintenance plants. Always check soil moisture before watering. Use self-watering containers when you are away. I put wine bottles on their sides for a slow drip. Terra cotta pots help control watering if humidity is a concern.
Read the full article: 10 Best Plants for Containers
