It can be tough to find plants that do not need to be watered or cared for all the time that will grow in a sunny yard spot. Here's where perennial plants really shine. You can save time, effort, and money because these plants grow back every year. Because many full sun perennials can handle heat and bright light, they are great for busy farmers who want easy-to-care-for beauty outside.

You can have bright blooms, strong growth, and less worry if you pick the right plants that like to be in the sun. You can also keep your garden full and alive with these plants year-round. If you make the right choices, you can create a bright, long-lasting garden that requires little maintenance.

What Makes a Perennial Truly Low-Maintenance

Blanket Flower

It's helpful to know what makes some perennials easier to care for than others. Many low-maintenance full sun perennials can withstand heat, bright light, and even dry soil. They don't need as much water to live, and their color and shape stay the same. You won't have to spend time fixing plant problems with these plants because they don't attract pests.

In addition to rough or sandy soil, some easy-care perennials can grow in these conditions. It's easier to plant when you don't have to make many changes to your yard. Strong roots help plants that don't need much care settle down quickly and come back every year without any trouble.

Look for perennial plants that can maintain their health even in hotter climates when selecting the best full sun perennial plants. Full sun is good for plants with thick or narrow leaves because they lose less water. Many plants that grow in full sun bloom for a long time, keeping your garden looking alive with little work.

Last but not least, good low-care plants don't need much pruning. They stay neat and clean on their own. You can have a beautiful garden that requires very little upkeep and gives you color and life all year long by selecting full sun, low-maintenance perennials.

Top 10 Low-Maintenance Full-Sun Perennials

1. Blanket Flower

The Blanket Flower has bright red and yellow flowers that make any yard feel alive. If you plant it, it doesn't need much care after that. It likes hot, dry soil. It blooms for a long time, which brings in birds and gives the garden strong summer color. If you want a beautiful yard without a lot of work, this is the best choice.

2. Yarrow Plant

Some yarrow plants have soft, tiny flowers that grow in groups. The fluffy leaves look lovely in yard beds. It does well in sun, heat, and dry weather. It spreads quickly and takes up little room without being too demanding. Yarrow is a great plant for gardeners who want a tough plant that stays strong all season.

3. Blazing Star Perennial

Blazing Star has long spikes of purple flowers that make any yard stand out. It brings bees and butterflies to the yard, which makes it more alive. This plant can handle dryness and grows well in poor soil. Its tall, thin shape makes it great for flower beds with a mix of plants.

4. Coneflower

There are strong petals on coneflowers, and the center cone is very big. They bloom even on the hottest days. They do very well in full sun and dry soil. This flower grows bigger every year, and bees and butterflies love it. They are great for adding color that lasts for a long time with little work.

5. Black-Eyed Susan

Black-Eyed Susans are happy in any sunny place because their flowers are bright yellow and their centers are dark. These flowers grow slowly and come back every year with more flowers. They can stand up to dryness and heat, and from summer to fall, they add color to fields. Also, they don't need much care and stay neat without being trimmed much.

6. Russian Sage

Its leaves are soft and silver, and its flowers are light purple and wave in the wind. It is very tough, stays healthy in the sun, and grows well in dry soil. This plant grows in dense forms that look good in empty spots. Garden look soft and airy because of it.

7. Coreopsis

The flowers on Coreopsis are bright yellow and shine in the sun. It gets bigger quickly and blooms for a long time. Once you put it in, it doesn't need much care or water. It looks great in sunny flower beds or hedges that need a bright look.

8. Daylilies

People know that daylilies are tough because their roots are very strong. They come back every year with new flowers and grow in many colors. It doesn't bother them when it's hot or dry. They will grow and bloom beautifully even if you forget about them.

9. Sedum (Stonecrop)

Sedum can live in hot, sunny places because its thick, juicy leaves hold water. There are different kinds and they grow in either small piles or tall groups. Other plants don't do well in dry places like rock gardens or along the edges. Sedum does well there.

10. Lavender

Lavender gives sunny fields a lovely smell and pretty purple flowers. It grows best in dry dirt and doesn't need much water once it's set down. The plant stays neat and makes the yard look and smell nice. It naturally keeps bugs away and brings in bees.

How to Plant and Care for These Full-Sun Perennials

  • Pick a warm spot- Choose a spot that gets strong sunlight for at least six hours a day. In this way, your perennial plants get stronger and bloom more.
  • Get the soil ready- Use well-draining soil. That will help the roots settle down faster.
  • Plant at the right depth- Make sure the dirt line of each plant is flat. To remove air spaces, press gently.
  • After planting, water once- At first, give it a good soak. The majority of full sun perennials require very little water after that.
  • Add a small layer of mulch- to help keep the soil wet while still letting it breathe.
  • Trim back once a year- At the end of winter, get rid of the old stems. This does not require extra work to keep plants healthy.

Perennials

Visit here to learn more about planting techniques.

FAQ

What is the best perennial to plant in full sun?

Some of the best plants for hot, sunny spots are coneflower, blanket flower and yarrow.

Where can I buy low-maintenance full sun perennials online?

You can buy them from online nurseries like TN Nursery that you can trust.

What plants can take full sun and heat?

Lavender, Sedum, Russian Sage and Blazing Star are some plants that do well in hot, direct sunlight.

What is the 3 year rule for perennials?

The first year they sleep, the second year they creep, and the third year they jump. In other words, they grow slowly at first and get bigger every year.

What is the easiest perennial to grow?

Some of the easiest plants for new gardeners to take care of are Black-Eyed Susan, Daylilies and Coneflowers.

Tammy Sons, Horticulture Expert

Written by Tammy Sons

Tammy Sons is a horticulture expert and the CEO of TN Nursery, specializing in native plants, perennials, ferns, and sustainable gardening. With more than 35 years of hands-on growing experience, she has helped gardeners and restoration teams across the country build thriving, pollinator-friendly landscapes.

Learn more about Tammy →