10 easy care plants for your garden
Spending more time in our gardens has us wanting to make them pretty, so planting some easy care plants is a must.
Simply put, good looking gardens take work.
But, you can minimise the garden work for yourself by sticking with plants that need minimal water, thrive whether it’s shady or sunny, and are ok in the heat or the cold.
What are the most low maintenance outdoor plants?
So, which plants are low maintenance?
We consulted with the experts to find out which plants will look great in our gardens, but also are simple to look after.
Snake plant or Sansevieria
This tough, architectural and practically unkillable plant is a classic.
It copes well with low lighting, can be left alone a while and only needs watering every couple of weeks.
This is ideal if you have any holidays planned or are forgetful at watering your plants!
“Snake plants are brilliant if you travel a lot or are prone to forgetting about watering.” Jo Lambell, founder of plant company Beards and Daisies.
She continues: “They thrive on neglect and still manage to look striking.
Just don’t overdo it with the water, they hate soggy roots!”
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The ZZ plant is another easy care plant beauty, with thick glossy leaves that bounce light off.
This one is really drought-tolerant, too and can work well in shady spaces.
“Slow growing and not asking for much, this is one of my favourites. Just let the soil dry out.” Jo explains.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
If you like a trailing vine that grows fast and looks lush, then Pothos is your plant.
It’s flexible with light and can even live in just water for a while.
This is ideal for a living plant wall or too go around trellis in your garden, as well as being easy to look after.
Jo says: “Pothos is perfect if you’re new to plants. It’s forgiving, easy to propagate and gives you that lovely, leafy vibe. It looks amazing in a hanging pot.”
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
This charming and cheerful plant grows fountains of green and white leaves.
It also often sends out baby plants that you can replant to spread the love around your garden.
Or you can share them with friends and family.
“Spider plants are one of the most generous plants, constantly producing pups.
They love bright but indirect light and don’t need much attention.
They’re also non-toxic so ideal if you have pets.” Jo explains.
The Kentia Palm (Howea Forsteriana)
The Kentia Palm is one of the easiest statement plants you can own.
It has tall, arching fronds and a real tropical vibe which is perfect for summer gardens.
It brings instant beauty to every space, without needing much love in return.
The Kentia Palm can tolerate low light, doesn’t need frequent watering and is surprisingly resilient.
This is perfect for busy plant owners or those that want low effort plants.
Jo agrees: “Kentias are super chill. Keep them out of direct sun and don’t overwater, they’re actually really easy to keep happy.”
What plants are good for outside all year round?
If, like us, easy care plants also means plants that you can plant and enjoy all year round, rather than those that die off and need to be replaced with seasonal additions, then these are for you.
Boxwood is a great option for evergreen plants.
These are compact and ideal for the edge of a planting bed or as topiary.
If you’re after something hardy that will also make your garden smell nice, then lavender could be for you.
It’s popular for garden borders, and also promotes pollinator-friendly planting as it attracts bees to your outside space.
If it’s a bit of colour you’d like in your garden, then heuchera might be for you.
This produces vibrant foliage in shades of plum, lime and bronze, and it thrives in shady spots so is ideal all year round.
Both bergenia and winter jasmine will thrive in the colder months, the former is a structural plant with bold leaves and pink flowers, whilst the latter will produce bright and sunny yellow blooms throughout the winter.
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