What are the easiest full sun annuals for beginners?
Written by
Kiana Okafor
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Full sun annuals give easy information for novice gardeners to add to their plant palette. Marigolds and sunflowers are a couple of standard full-sun annual plants that grow everything. These plants thrive under even the worst conditions and bloom without fail. I have directed many new plants to success with these plants, even with deterrent soil and forget containers.
Soil & Planting
- Use well-draining soil with 2" (5 cm) compost mixed in
- Space plants 12-18" (30-45 cm) apart for airflow
- Test soil pH, aim for 6.0-7.0 for most varieties
Care & Maintenance
- Water marigolds at soil level to prevent mildew
- Mulch sunflowers with straw to retain moisture
- Fertilize petunias monthly with 10-10-10 formula
Design quick fixes Create easy sunny spots. For example, in new window boxes, we put trailing petunias alongside dusty miller's silvery leaves. One client's blistering driveway now features orange marigolds next to dwarf sunflowers. These plants are happy with the care that consists of looking at them once a week while watering them once a week.
Leggy Plants
- Pinch back petunias by 1/3 mid-season
- Rotate containers daily for even sun exposure
- Add grow lights for <6 hours of natural light
Pest Control
- Spray aphids off sunflowers with sharp water stream
- Apply coffee grounds around marigolds to deter slugs
- Introduce ladybugs for organic aphid management
Accept imperfections. Even though my first marigold patch had large gaps and uneven blooms successfully kept pests at bay. Share your beginner wins online. Tag gardening groups and connect with people at your experience level. Plants are resilient; they thrive on effort, not skill. Now go get growing!
Read the full article: Full Sun Annuals: Blooms That Thrive in Sunshine
