The Best Low Maintenance Flowers for Pots and Containers
One of the easiest ways to add colour, texture and greenery to your outdoor space is with container flowers. And the best bit? The right plants can provide months of interest with very little upkeep.
In this guide, our flower expert David Denyer has rounded up some of the best low maintenance container plants that thrive in pots and are well-suited to the UK climate.
Lavender & Sedum
For the absolute lowest maintenance flowers, there are no better picks than lavender and sedum.
Lavender is more prone to over-watering than under-watering and prefers drier soil, perfect for the summer months. They'll also produce fragrant flowers that are pollinator-friendly.
Sedum foliage actually stores water, which makes it extremely forgiving during the really dry months, and they even look attractive when not in bloom.
Geranium & Verbena
Geraniums and verbenas are another excellent choice.
Geraniums are a UK summer staple, because similar to lavender, they prefer to be slightly dry rather than constantly wet. They’ll flower for months too. Deadheading will give them a helping hand, but even with the most minimal intervention they’ll still do you proud and look great during the summer.
Verbenas cope well with short dry spells and will keep a neat and colourful appearance. They are great for really sunny spots and they will produce clusters of flowers from late spring all the way into autumn.
Bidens & Erigeron Karvinskianus
Bidens are more drought-tolerant than many bedding plants and will cope well with the odd missed watering. Through most of the season you'll be treated with a lovely yellow or white daisy-like flower which can work really well when spilling over container edges.
Erigeron karvinskianus is tough and very low maintenance, tolerating dry conditions well. They produce a soft cloud of white and pink daisy flowers that are more than happy to grow in cracks and walls.
No need for compromises
Low maintenance container plants doesn't mean you have to compromise on colour or impact.
Selecting drought-tolerant varieties such as lavender, sedum, geraniums, verbena, bidens and Erigeron karvinskianus, will allow you to enjoy vibrant pots that flourish with minimal watering and care throughout the growing season.
So, whether you're refreshing a patio, brightening up a doorstep or creating an eye-catching garden display, these easy care plants will keep your containers looking beautiful all summer long with very little effort.
Frequently Asked Questions: Low Maintenance Container Flowers
Lavender, sedum, geraniums, verbena, bidens and Erigeron karvinskianus are all great low maintenance flowers for pots in the UK. Many of these varieties cope well with drier conditions and require relatively little attention once established, while still providing plenty of colour throughout the growing season.
Many flowers thrive in pots, including geraniums, lavender, verbena, bidens and Erigeron karvinskianus. When choosing flowers for containers, consider how much sunlight the area receives, the size of your pot and how often you'll be able to water. Good drainage is also important for keeping most container plants healthy.
Geraniums, lavender and sedum are among the easiest outdoor potted flowers to care for. They're relatively tolerant of dry conditions and don't require constant attention to look their best. Choosing plants suited to your garden's conditions will make maintaining your container display even easier.
Lavender, sedum, geraniums and verbena are excellent choices for low maintenance pots in sunny positions. These plants generally enjoy plenty of sunshine and can cope with periods of drier weather once established. Just remember that containers can dry out quickly during particularly hot spells, so check the soil regularly.
Drought-tolerant plants such as lavender and sedum are particularly good choices if you're looking for container flowers that need less frequent watering. Sedums store water in their fleshy leaves, while established lavender prefers well-drained soil and can cope with relatively dry conditions.
How often container flowers need watering depends on the plant, pot size and weather conditions. Rather than following a strict schedule, check the compost regularly and water when your plants need it. Pots can dry out particularly quickly during warm or windy weather, while drought-tolerant varieties may need less frequent watering.
Some container flowers can return year after year. Perennials such as lavender and sedum can live for several years when given the right conditions, while other popular container plants may be grown as annuals or need protection from cold winter weather. Check the individual plant's needs before deciding how to overwinter it.
Start by choosing easy-care plants suited to the amount of sunlight your outdoor space receives. Use containers with good drainage, avoid overwatering and remove faded flowers when necessary to encourage a tidy display and, for some varieties, further flowering. Drought-tolerant plants can also reduce the amount of watering your pots need throughout summer.