19 Low-Maintenance Perennials Anyone Can Grow

Perennials are the backbone of every ornamental garden. While your annuals may come and go, you can rely on your perennials to look good and fill space with color year after year. As a bonus, many are low-maintenance and super easy to grow, even for beginners.

Low-maintenance perennials adapt well to different environments, don’t require much pruning or feeding, and flower prolifically without fuss from you. Choose ones that fit within your USDA Hardiness Zone to ensure they come back strong year after year.

Aster

If you need a dose of color in late summer and fall when other flowers are starting to fizzle out, plant low-maintenance asters. These star-shaped flowers are especially popular with butterflies, so you’ll also see more activity in the garden along with more color. They are perennials in USDA zones 3-8.

Asters are known to be pretty tough. Give them occasional watering and a bit of pruning and they’ll look good almost all year. To grow these low-maintenance perennials, start seeds indoors around 6 to 8 weeks before your final frost date or direct sow once temperatures are reliably above 60°F. Place them in full sun to partial shade and trim in early summer to encourage fuller growth and heavier blooming.

Astilbe

For added texture along with color, astilbe is a great choice. These low-maintenance perennials (in zones 3-8) have unique feathery flowers and elegant fern-like foliage.

Astilbe is one of the go-to perennials for shady or partially shaded areas. Its flowers can last for weeks even without full sun, bringing a pop of color to spots that might lack interest.  While they appreciate consistent moisture, once these plants are established, they don’t need constant attention.

Baptisia

Baptisia has tall blooms that catch the eye wherever it’s planted. The deep taproot helps it survive drought and poor soil, meaning there’s hardly any watering needed once it settles in.

Baptisia grows quite large over time, ideal for filling empty spaces. Even when they’re not flowering, the foliage adds great ornamental value in the garden. They are ideal for gardeners in zones 3-9.

Pick a spot with full sun (at least six hours a day) and good drainage. Young plants need regular watering during the first season, but after that, they generally rely on rainfall. If you do need to move or divide them, keep in mind that the deep roots can be tricky to dig up.

Bee Balm

Bee balm is a low-maintenance perennial that lives up to its name. These flowers are famous for attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and of course, bees.

The unique flowers are colorful and have a refreshing fragrance. It’s also a classic choice for cottage gardens, adding that delicate and wispy look without requiring much attention.

Start seeds indoors about 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost. Once it’s settled, deadheading encourages more flowers. They are perennials in zones 4-9, but don’t overwinter well in extreme climates.  

Black-Eyed Susan

Any list of low-maintenance perennials would be incomplete without black-eyed Susans. These yellow flowers are staples of summer, instantly recognizable and beloved by gardeners. Black-eyed Susan is a short-lived perennial in zones 3-7 that may come back for a second or third year.

Known for adapting to almost any conditions, they quickly bounce back from dry spells and just keep blooming. They also happen to be pollinator magnets, welcoming bees and butterflies to your backyard. If left to their own devices, they’ll reseed and gradually fill out a bed without any extra effort.

Starting these from seed is straightforward, and you have plenty of options when it comes to cultivars. Either sow indoors about 8 to 10 weeks before your last frost date or outdoors 2 to 4 weeks before.

Blanket Flower

Blanket flower combines warm reds, oranges, and yellows in one adorable daisy-like flower. This tough perennial is happiest in hot locations and doesn’t mind minimal watering. Varieties like ‘Goblin’ are proven performers with impressive color.

Gaillardia blooms for months on end in zones 3-10, attracting butterflies and other beneficial pollinators. If you’re looking for a pop of color that won’t mind summer heat, this perennial is the answer.

Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your final frost date if you want to get a head start, or 4 to 6 weeks if direct sowing outdoors. Transplant them into well-draining soil with plenty of sun exposure. Overly rich soil or excessive fertilizer can lead to floppy growth, so less fuss is better than too much.

Catnip

Catnip might not be the first perennial to come to mind when planning your garden, but these flowers certainly fit the tough and low-maintenance description. The gray-green leaves and lavender blooms have impressive ornamental value, and pollinators adore it just as much as cats do.

Once established, catnip rarely needs watering and can handle poorer soils with ease. It’s such a quick grower in the right conditions that it can be considered aggressive in some areas. If you need it to remain confined, keep your shears handy.

Catnip grows best in full sun and well-draining soil. Trim regularly to keep the plant neat, but also to prevent it from spreading too wildly.

Coreopsis

Like a few other entries on this list, coreopsis also has sunny, daisy-like blossoms, appearing from early summer into fall. They handle heat, less-than-ideal soil, and even mild drought without much complaint. These flowers are perennials in zones 3-8.

Bumblebees and butterflies love them, which is another bonus if you’re aiming for a wildlife-friendly space. Plant these in a spot where their colorful flowers can stand out, preferably close to your home, to enjoy the activity they bring. Try ‘Double Sunburst’ for a sunny yellow hue or ‘Incredible! Swirl’ for a dramatic purple.

Start seeds indoors about 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost or direct sow outdoors once temperatures increase. A spot in full sun works best, and they won’t mind poor soil as long as it drains well (in other words, no heavy clay).

Daylily

A daylily bloom may only last a day (hence the name), but the plant produces so many flowers that you won’t even notice. With a huge range of colors, you’ll definitely find one that fits your garden style.

These low-maintenance perennials tolerate almost any soil and aren’t needy about watering. They are an easy pick if you want a perennial in zones 4-9 that asks for very little in return.

Before your daylilies go in the ground, make sure the soil drains well. A spot in full sun works best, though many varieties adjust to partial shade, too. They’re happy to grow and multiply on their own without much attention.

Echinacea

Echinacea is my top low-maintenance perennial choice for zones 3-8.  It is well-known for ticking all the boxes: tough, beautiful, and attractive to pollinators (and that’s ignoring the suggested medicinal benefits).

The blooms have a spiky cone in the center, instantly drawing in bees and other beneficial insects. This shape also gives them their common name, coneflower. Once established, these plants tolerate drought, handle any soil, and don’t need more than the occasional deadheading.

To start coneflowers from seed, sow indoors about 10 to 12 weeks before your last frost. If you start indoors, your plant may bloom in the first year.

Joe Pye Weed

Joe Pye weed might have an off-putting name, but it’s one of the best perennials for attracting beneficial insects. In late summer, it produces clusters of purple-pink flower heads that fit right at home in cottage gardens.

Despite its height, Joe Pye weed doesn’t demand much. Extra moisture when rain is scarce and plenty of sun is all it really needs to perform. They grow well in zones 2-9.

After planting, keep seedlings consistently moist at first, especially if you live in a drier climate. Once the plants are established, they can handle short dry spells. As it can grow quite tall, a stake or support may help in windy areas.

Lavender

Lavender is a perennial garden staple. This famous flower is known for its fragrant foliage and calming properties, useful in gardens and around your home. If you live in zones 5-9, you shouldn’t have trouble keeping them happy season after season.

The classic purple blooms thrive in sunny, dry conditions. If your soil is on the sandy side or you often forget to water, lavender won’t be bothered. Too much attention usually does more harm than good.

Lavender takes a while to germinate and establish. Sow seeds indoors 10 to 12 weeks before your last frost and be patient. Once they’re in the ground, water regularly at first, then ease off to prevent root rot.

Liatris

Liatris has dramatic fluffy flowers that are beloved by pollinators like butterflies and bees, and they look amazing in cut flower arrangements. You may know it by its common name, blazing star.

Thanks to its deep roots, blazing star handles drought well once established. It also flowers prolifically without much attention, as long as you plant it in the right spot. Removing spent flower spikes can keep plants looking neat, though it’s not 100% necessary.

Milkweed

Milkweed is famous for being the food source of monarch butterfly larvae. Beyond supporting wildlife, the clusters of blooms also vary in color from pink to orange, adding bright pops of color wherever they are planted. They are perennials in most USDA zones (3 and above). Milkweed can handle most soil types, and most spread steadily without much intervention, creating a natural meadow feel.

Sowing milkweed seeds involves a period of cold stratification, making them great candidates for winter sowing. You can mimic that indoors by placing seeds in the fridge for a few weeks too.

Phlox

Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) easily fills beds with eye-catching color, pairing well with several other low-maintenance perennials on this list. Butterflies can’t resist it, and it’s a staple in cottage gardens too.

Phlox is surprisingly adaptable, handling full sun to partial shade and not demanding constant fertilizer or pruning. Plant them in the right location and they won’t need much from you. After planting, just give it moderate moisture, especially during summer heat. Some taller types may need light staking if they’re placed in a windy spot.

Salvia

Salvia is a tough plant that comes in a range of unique and eye-catching colors. If you’re after a specific garden color scheme, you’ll definitely find one that works for your space. Varieties with blue flowers are particularly popular, like ‘Blue Victory’ or ‘Violet Queen’.

The flowers attract a range of pollinators, mostly bees. Add its drought-tolerant nature and you have a perfect low-maintenance perennial for sunny beds.

Salvias take a while to germinate from seed, but it is easier to find the colors you want if you go that route. Sow them indoors 8 to 10 weeks before your final frost date. Once the seedlings germinate, transplant them outdoors in a spot with good drainage and plenty of sun.

Sedum

For something a little different, try sedums. These perennials have fleshy succulent leaves and small blooms that typically transition from pale to deep pink or red, depending on the species.

Sedum is perfect for hot and dry beds, handling neglect and continuing to perform well into fall. Bees and butterflies love the flowers, making it an excellent choice for pollinator-friendly beds or rock gardens. Once established, they are one of the most drought-tolerant perennials around.

Shasta Daisy

Shasta daisies have classic white blooms with bright yellow centers, creating a timeless meadow look in any flower bed. These perennials thrive in full sun and well-draining soil, returning reliably every year without a lot of extra care. Plus, they make excellent cut flowers, keeping bouquets fresh.

Sow from seed indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date, or plant them outside when the soil warms. Once established, they only need occasional watering—just be sure not to let them sit in waterlogged soil. That’s about as complicated as it gets with these low-maintenance perennials.

Yarrow

Yarrow is incredibly tough, producing clusters of tiny blooms on sturdy stalks. They may look delicate, but they can handle everything from intense sun to neglectful watering.

These blooms come in a range of colors. To get the best of all of them, sow a mix like ‘Colorado Blend’. Pollinators adore yarrow, and the foliage adds textural interest even when the flowers aren’t putting on a show.

If you decide to start yarrow from seed, sow indoors about 8 to 10 weeks before your last frost date and transplant in spring. Established yarrow prefers well-draining soil and minimal watering, so there’s not much to it. Just keep an eye on spreading, as it can self-seed quickly.