These Low Maintenance Plants for Pots Are so Fuss Free, They Practically care of Themselves – 7 That Don't Mind Being Ignored
Even if you forget about them, these plants will still thrive
Spring is the perfect moment to refresh your containers with low-maintenance plants that can handle a little neglect; ideal if you have travel plans coming up or simply want to make gardening that bit easier. While plants in pots typically need more frequent watering than those in the ground, there are plenty of resilient varieties that will tolerate missed waterings and still look good with minimal care, even as temperatures begin to rise.
Choosing the right low maintenance plants for pots now means you can enjoy a beautiful display through spring and into summer without constant attention. If you’ve already incorporated some low maintenance backyard ideas, you’ll know how much easier the season can feel. But even if you’re starting fresh, it’s not too late to plant up a few forgiving containers.
The key is selecting species that are naturally drought-tolerant or unfussy, so they won’t suffer if you skip or forget watering. With the right mix, your containers can stay healthy and attractive with very little input, leaving you free to enjoy the garden rather than manage it.
Article continues below1. Coreopsis
Also known as tickseed, Coreopisis is a summer favorite with many gardeners. As one of the longest flowering perennials, it's loved for its long bloom time.
Its ruffled yellow flower heads appear in late spring and can keep blooming until late summer, so it's a cheerful addition for any container garden. It's also a plant that doesn't require much attention.
Coreopsis is a solid performer in pots, as it is sun-loving, long-blooming, and incredibly resilient. Most varieties are hardy in zones 4–9 and thrive in lean, well-drained soil.
Plant these Coreopsis sunfire flower seeds from True Leaf Market now for cheerful summer blooms. You can also find beautiful bi-colored coreopsis seeds at Amazon.
2. Lavender
Lavender is a staple of Mediterranean-style planting for good reason: it thrives in full sun, copes היט with drought, and needs very little attention to perform well in pots.
Loved by pollinators and prized for its fragrance, it’s one of the easiest ways to add long-lasting color and structure to container displays.
Compact varieties like ‘Munstead’ (around 12–18 inches tall) are ideal for smaller pots, offering early summer flowers and excellent hardiness.
‘Hidcote’ is slightly bushier, with deeper violet blooms and a neat habit that works well in mixed containers or for edging. You can find Hidcote lavender plants at Fast Growing Trees.
For larger pots, ‘Phenomenal’ is a taller hybrid (up to 24–30 inches) with improved tolerance to heat and humidity.
Plant lavender in free-draining soil and avoid overwatering. Once established, it prefers to be left alone. It also pairs beautifully with other sun-loving, low-maintenance plants such as rosemary, sedum, and ornamental grasses for an easy, cohesive display.
3. Sedum
There's an enormous variety of sedum, and as succulents, these plants love the sun. This makes sedum wonderful low maintenance drought tolerant plants whether in pots, window boxes or baskets (and beds or borders).
Due to the vast amount of choice, it's easy to find several sedum species to suit any style of drought-tolerant planting.
These succulents are unbeatable for tough conditions, and their diversity means you can use them as spillers, fillers, or focal points. Most are hardy in zones 3–9, need almost no water, and thrive in full sun.
You can discover a gorgeous array of sedum plants at Burpee.
Sedums are incredibly satisfying to grow; beautiful, architectural, and dependable. Just don’t overwater them, and they’ll take care of themselves.
4. Million Bells Series (Calibrachoa)
Calibrachoa are colorful, sprawling plants which are beautiful in pots, window boxes and hanging baskets. They suit a cottage garden style and are a good plant for pollinators, whilst also being deer resistant. They can cope without too much care too.
'Calibrachoa are tough little flowers with a delicate feel,' says Laura Janney, landscape architect and CEO, The Inspired Garden Masterclass. 'They come in so many gorgeous colors and patterns, making for some unique options for summer containers.
'They're a favorite for their ease of care, as they don’t require much deadheading or cutting back in order to continue blooming. In contrast, their larger cousins, the petunias, need a bit more maintenance as they become quite leggy and don’t do as well as in the heat of summer.
'These plants like full sun and well draining soil - and can handle a cold snap. In zones 9-11 they are grown as perennials. Otherwise they are annual in zones 1-8.'
The spectacular Calibrachoa Cherry Blossom from Burpee has a beautiful cherry pink and white bloom and is ready to plant from late April to mid-May.
Laura Janney is a renowned landscape architect and designer, and CEO of The Inspired Garden Masterclass. Laura has left her mark on the cottage garden landscape design scene, recently winning the 2023 Houzz Best in Design award for her work in the New York area.
5. Periwinkle (Vinca)
Periwinkle, or creeping myrtle, is a low-maintenance, deer-resistant choice that flowers from spring through fall.
It’s well suited to drought-tolerant planting, coping easily with hot, dry spells as long as it isn’t overwatered. Occasional morning watering is all it needs.
'Vinca are extremely reliable; consistent bloomers and easy to pop in as a filler or can be used to fill an entire container,' says Laura. 'They are available in many color options, so it’s easy to find the hue that’s perfect for you.
'This plant does extremely well in the hot days of summer; it is heat tolerant and can handle periods of drought. Grow it in full sun in well-draining soil. It's an annual in zones 1–9 and a perennial in 10–11.'
6. Palace Purple Coral Bells
If you lean towards foliage over flowers but would like some color other than shades of green, the heuchera varieties are for you.
Native to North American woodlands, these perennials have been hybridized and are available with an array of spectacular leaf hues, patterns and shapes.
'Palace Purple' Coral Bells is a popular variety that's easy to grow, with deep red foliage and pretty flowers too. It attracts hummingbirds, but is deer and rabbit resistance, so won't be chewed while you're away on vacation.
'A standby cultivar of heuchera with deep purple leaves, this is a winner for filling out a shady pot with durable long-lasting color, whether it's flowering or not,' says Megan Foster, perennial and bulb expert, American Meadows.
'For coral bells, be sure to include some nice organic material in the mix to help maintain even moisture on the hotter days and avoid full sun or afternoon sun in peak summer. This plant is well suited for zones 4-9 and pairs well with Carex.'
Megan is the category manager overseeing perennials and bulbs for American Meadows since 2019. With a keen eye for color and passion for pollinators she curates pre-planned gardens for the brand. Her instinct for what gardeners want also drives the spring and fall bulb assortments. She gardens in zone 5 in Vermont.
7. Carex (Cyperaceae)
With their graceful, arching foliage, carex (or sedges) bring a soft, architectural feel to patio and porch containers.
Many varieties are evergreen, providing year-round interest, and they’re reliably low maintenance with little to no pruning required.
Most prefer moist, well-draining soil and light shade, where they will quickly settle in and thrive with minimal attention.
'Feather Falls sedge is a new carex cultivar, and an excellent choice for pots,' says Megan. It suits part shade, making it a really smart choice for recessed porches or entryways shaded by trees, and is well suited for zones 5–9.' And you can find Feather Falls carex plants at Burpee.
Whether you're drawn to a cottage garden style with colorful flowers or a more architectural aesthetic with interesting foliage on your patio, there are a plethora of low maintenance plants for pots.
Whatever you choose to suit your space, you can do so with the knowledge that the plants selected here do not require constant care.
If you love inspiring garden ideas, outdoor advice, and the latest news, why not sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox?
