Top 10 Low-Maintenance Plants carefully handpicked by our editorial team. Whether you have a green thumb or are a budding gardener, we understand that not everyone has the time or energy to devote to high-maintenance flora. That’s why we’ve curated a list of plants that thrive with minimal care, allowing you to enjoy a vibrant and beautiful garden without constant upkeep. From stunning flowering varieties to lush foliage, these low-maintenance plants will surely add colour, texture, and serenity to your outdoor space.
Overview of our top 10 low-maintenance plants
- Viburnum x Carlcephalum
- Photinia Serratifolia Pink Crispy
- Hedera Hibernica – Irish or Boston Ivy
- Fatsia Japonica Variegata – Variegated False Castor Oil Plant
- Large Munstead English Lavender
- Mahonia x Media Winter Sun
- Buddleja Davidii Royal Red – Butterfly Bush – Red Buddleia
- Hardy Succulent Sedum – Evergreen Hardy Plants
- Choisya Ternata Sundance (Brica/Lich)
- Imperata Cylindrica Red Baron – Japanese Blood Grasses
For more details on these plants, read below.
Viburnum x Carlcephalum
Viburnum x carlcephalum is a low-maintenance plant with fragrant white flowers, dark green foliage, and red autumn leaves. It thrives in shaded areas, making it ideal for mixed borders and woodland gardens. Popularly known as Fragrant Snowball.
Photinia Serratifolia Pink Crispy
Photinia Pink Crispy is a low-maintenance plant with marbled foliage, red stems, and bright pink shoots. It is hardy, disease tolerant, and requires minimal maintenance. Ideal for shrub borders, mixed containers, hedges, or as solo plant.
Hedera Hibernica – Irish or Boston Ivy
Irish or Boston Ivy is a low-maintenance plant that offers year-round interest, ideal for screening fences or providing ground cover. It can be easily trained and is versatile for use in winter hanging baskets and plant displays.
Fatsia Japonica Variegata – Variegated False Castor Oil Plant
Stunning tropical appearance, dark palmate leaves with cream and light green accents. Frost is hardy and thrives in shade. Requires minimal attention, occasional feed and water. A rare and unique addition, ideal for brightening dark corners.
Large Munstead English Lavender
Munstead is a low-maintenance plant with compact form and deep purple-blue flowers. It attracts beneficial insects, is fully hardy, and its fragrant stems can be used for potpourri. The fine, silvery-grey foliage complements the flowers, making it suitable for paths, planters, and pots.
Mahonia x Media Winter Sun
Mahonia Winter Sun is an excellent plant choice. It features large spikes of fragrant yellow flowers from November to March, followed by ornamental purple-grey berries. With handsome, dark green holly-like leaves, it adds year-round beauty to shady areas and requires minimal care.
Buddleja Davidii Royal Red – Butterfly Bush – Red Buddleia
This fabulous summer-flowering shrub is guaranteed to create an impact in a sunny border. Pruned hard in early spring it produces dense spikes of fragrant, deep ‘royal red’ flowers, which attract butterflies and other beneficial insects into the garden. In autumn the pointed leaves turn yellow.
Hardy Succulent Sedum – Evergreen Hardy Plants
Winter-hardy, evergreen, and drought-resistant. Ideal for alpine gardens, rockeries, pots, or as a conversation piece. Varied foliage colours and textures. It forms fleshy mats with star-shaped flowers. Combines well with Sempervivum and other low-growing alpine plants.
Choisya Ternata Sundance (Brica/Lich)
This Choisya shrub is a great low-maintenance plant. It has vibrant yellow foliage, fragrant white flowers in summer and autumn, and remains evergreen. Perfect for winter patio planters, it adds a pop of colour and requires minimal care.
Imperata Cylindrica Red Baron – Japanese Blood Grasses
‘Red Barron’ or Japanese Blood Grass is a low-maintenance plant with vivid and unique colours. Its foliage is blood-red, fading to green at the base. It adds a stunning and dramatic touch to any garden, especially when combined with perennials.
