50 Low Maintenance Plants: Indoor and Outdoor No Maintenance Gardening

#1 Aloe Vera

Indestructible is the word to call this iconic tree, one of the most resilient indoor desert plants.

Not even the most neglectful and forgetful plant parent can kill this one because it doesn’t really care about anything.

#2 Snake Plant

It is humorously called the Mother-in-Law’s Tongue,⁹ a deserving name thanks to the sharp upright leaves. You don’t have to stress watering it daily or finding a sunny spot for it; it doesn’t mind sitting in dark rooms and you can travel for weeks and come back to find it as vibrant as you left it.

#3 ZZ Plant

You have landed the jackpot with this one if you are looking for a tree that needs very little maintenance.

It is one of the plants that don’t need sun, that you can comfortably place on your work desk without worrying about it dying at any time.

#4 Succulents

Almost every beginner on the planet flocks to succulent trees, thanks to their reputation for being the hardiest trees ever. With only a little light and monthly watering, your plants will retain their thick, glossy leaves and stay stunning for a very long time.

#5 Cactus

The cactus is probably your last resort after all your plant parenthood has failed. Cacti are the toughest of them all, and it is evident by their living conditions in the wild.

If you cannot do daily watering, you will be ecstatic that the cactus can live on watering only once a month.⁵

#6 Caladium

This is an excellent chance to bring the tropics right to your home with eye-catching red, white and pink leaf shades. The white shades are the most popular because of how they seem to glow up in the dark at night and who wouldn’t want that on their property?

#7 Agave

Back to the discussion about how convenient desert plants are, the Agave is the perfect low maintenance choice if you have trouble with daily watering. It is already used to the drought conditions in the wild and will likely be content with being watered once a month.

#8 Armeria

You can make your outdoors beautiful with this stunning flowering tree that needs very little care to survive. It will not mind that your soil is sandy, or that the winds are too strong, this means that you can plant it at the seaside, which is usually not a perfect spot for planting but somehow works for the Armeria.

#9 Ajuga

You are in luck if you want an easy maintenance tree that can also comfortably grow in the shade. If your garden is shaded and you have failed with planting other trees, the Ajuga is here to save you.¹⁰

A bonus is that this cover tree is also a weed killer, so good riddance to the pesky weeds in your garden.

#10 Oakleaf Hydrangea

If you have shied away from planting trees in the outdoors because there is heavy shade everywhere, the Oakleaf Hydrangea may change your mind. The first thing you notice about this tree is the bright white flowers and it is great that they stay the same the entire time, even with little care and maintenance.

#11 Viburnum

You chose right if you are going for a giant, head-turning shrub that reaches an impressive 8 feet in height. It prides itself as an almost zero maintenance plant, and if the size seems too much for you, you can go small with the ‘Spice Baby’ variety that stops growing at around 5 feet.

#12 Holly

The Holly will show up several times when you are making a fervent search on the internet. It is one of the most famous low maintenance evergreen shrubs famed for their beauty, and the best part is that it grows red berries that only add to its breathtaking look.

#13 Virginia Sweetspire

The Virginia Sweetspire is definitely hard to miss, with its long white flowers and beautiful dark green leaves.

Apart from how incredible it looks, you will also find it exciting that it is deer resistant.

#14 Winter Daphne

Imagine a tree whose special feature is that it blooms in winter, in a scent so strong that a cluster can easily fill up a room. The Winter Daphne is the tree in question with ornamental properties to match.

The white flowers will stand out in any garden and being an evergreen tree, winters will no longer be the same in your home.

#15 Blue Star Juniper

Junipers are known far and wide for their ability to revitalize any landscape. These evergreen trees come in various shapes and sizes and the Blue Star doesn’t fail its cousins.

Its blue needles are a must-have to make a lasting statement against other green trees in the backdrop.

#16 Azalea

Starting off the list is this jaw-dropping flowering tree with blinding pink or white flowers.¹¹ If you have seen it before you know that it is unmistakably one of the most colorful flowering trees in the world, that heavily attracts pollinators and shows all year long.

#17 Black-Eyed Susan

Do you love Sunflowers and how the yellow petals contrast nicely with the dark centers? What a coincidence because the Black-Eyed Susan looks exactly like that.

As long as you give it full sun, it can thrive under little care and showcase its beautiful yellow and black self.

#18 Bearded Iris

The Bearded Iris is quite a show-stopper, with its dusty blue flowers that look like nothing you have seen before. The flowers can also come in white, pink, purple and yellow shades, meaning that you have any color brightening up your home.

#19 Coreopsis

Look no further if you want purely yellow clean-cut flowers that immediately capture the attention of passers-by. This wildflower is loved by pollinators but interestingly, hated by rabbits and deer, and the best is that if you want more flowers.

The tree readily self-seeds and you can have more seedlings in no time.¹

#20 Flowering Quince

Let’s explore another low maintenance tree that looks a bit different from the others above, the pink and red Flowering Quince. It fits the description because not only is it a jaw-dropping landscaping tree, but it is also very independent.

You don’t have to worry about your soil type or how many times you water it, and it will still be the bright showy tree you know and love.

#21 Rose

The classic Rose is a must-have for any home and you have to appreciate that it comes in several different colors for you to choose.

They are world-renowned for their beauty and fragrance and what better way to enjoy them than by planting them right in front of your house?

#22 String of Pearls

If you want character and a little bit of drama in a tree, why don’t you go for a potted String of Pearls? It also works if you are a lover of hanging trees because the leaves look exactly like a string of pearls hanging down, giving it an unusual but stunning look.

#23 Rosemary

Rosemary is famous in many households around the country and you probably know it as a special ingredient in recipes thanks to its unique taste and aroma. You can plant one in a pot in your home and have a ready supply of fresh leaves when you need them even without necessarily tending daily to the tree.

#24 Hostas

Everyone knows that the Hosta makes a beautiful potted plant but not many know how easy maintenance it really is.¹² If you are worried about planters on your patio because you fear that the spot is too shaded, the Hosta doesn’t mind not soaking in the sun.⁸

#25 Japanese Maple

It may seem weird to see a Maple on this list. It is not a mistake, the Japanese Maple Tree can be a gigantic one and can also grow in a pot as long as it is wide to leave room for the roots to thrive.

It transforms into beautiful bonsai but watch out for the changes in leaf color and the falling of leaves in the winter.

#26 Daylilies

Have you been scrolling mindlessly on the web for low-maintenance flower bed ideas front of house without success? The Daylilies are here to the rescue, giving you a win-win in terms of sprucing up your curb while not giving you a hard time by requiring endless care and maintenance.

#27 Spirea

Looking for an easy care shrub, try the drought-resistant Spirea. Its impressive features include astonishingly fast growth rates and overall low maintenance.

As soon as the tree can take care of itself and is way past the sapling stage, all it will care for is yearly maintenance.

#28 Texas Ranger

If you can’t get enough of purple blooms, you will completely adore the Texas Ranger. This gorgeous tree is one of a kind; it looks delicate at a glance but is one of the most formidable from the plant kingdom.

All you need to keep it bright and lively, only a little water and sun, nothing more.

#29 Barberry

You must have seen this beauty growing in high-end establishments like corporate buildings and hotels. But what you don’t know is that it doesn’t need a lot of TLC to maintain its great looks.

In exchange for its seasonal color changes and state-of-the-art landscaping, the only thing the Barberry wants from you is a little water and pruning only once in a while.

#30 Dianthus

Not afraid to put up a show for your neighbors? You can plant the Dianthus and let it do the rest.

Its blinding dark pink flowers can be seen from a mile away and you want it to capture the attention of anyone passing by your home. The little secret is that you don’t have to sweat to plant and care for it.

#31 Yew

Your prayers are answered if you have always wanted to grow low maintenance evergreen shrubs with glossy green leaves surrounding your house. The Yew is the right choice and its bright red berries only make it more fascinating.¹³

You will have an evergreen tree as a fence with spiky needle-like leaves all year long.

#32 English Holly

The Holly always looks like Christmas and imagine looking outside and seeing it every single day. The leaves have a unique shape unlike any other tree you will run into and the best part is that it also grows striking dark red berries, which further makes it a great landscaping tree.⁴

#33 Choisya

Lovers of fences with white flowers will really appreciate the Choisya, also called the Mexican Orange. Apart from growing closely together to make the perfect fence you need, the tree also earns a spot in the selection of the most fragrant and aromatic flowers, and you don’t have to break your back to look after it.

#34 Gardenia

The Gardenia will likely pop up in your search for Florida landscaping ideas and it is easy to tell why when you look at it. From the pure white fragrant roses to the dense evergreen foliage, the tree is an easy pick for your hedge needs.

All you have to do is the bare minimum, prune it once a year after it flowers, that’s it.

#35 Murraya

Hedges come in all shapes and sizes and the Murraya is a living proof of this. You can go for the 3m types and if that is too high, you can keep it short by selecting the dwarfs that reach only about 1m high.

Even with very little care, you can expect fantastic fragrant flowers when spring comes.

#36 Bluestar

If you thought that the flowers are the best part of a plant, the Bluestar will prove you wrong because its most exciting feature is its leaves. Not to say that its flowers are not pretty, but the foliage adds the icing on the cake.

As long as the soil drains well, you don’t have to care about anything else, only the seasonal pruning.

#37 False Indigo

Tough is an understatement when it comes to this plant that likes to grow upright. It doesn’t complain much about other things as long as it gets to bask in the full sun and as a reward, it gives you blue, purple and cream flowers, according to the species or cultivar you chose at the start.

#38 Russian Sage

Unlike what many people think, the Russian Sage is technically not a sage.¹⁴ This perennial loves to grow next to the Black-Eyed Susan and the two blend perfectly regardless of their unique flower colors.

The Russian Sage is easy to spot with its blue flowers that will add the color that your landscaping is missing.

#39 Rozanne Cranesbill Geranium

If you have previously interacted with other Rozannes, you know that they have a terrible reputation for being excessively self-seeding.

However, this particular cultivar changes the narrative because it is sterile.²

#40 Coral Bells

This perennial is unlike any other on this list and you can see why when you look at its interestingly-shaped leaves. It boasts of several other varieties and it may be overwhelming to pick one because they all have the exact needs and are perfect for landscaping.

#41 Bugleweed

There is so much you can do with the Bugleweed in your home,¹⁵ whether you want to plant it as a hedge, at the front of your house, or in walkways. There is no wrong way to plant this low maintenance tree that has fantastic purple-blue flowers.

#42 Creeping Phlox

As its name suggests, this tree forms a massive mass of pink or purple flowers without you knowing it. They should be a top choice if you are looking for a flowering tree that goes big and looks impeccable under the full sun.

The flowers will look amazing all year long and it helps that they are deer resistant.

#43 Inkberry

The most fascinating thing about the Inkberry is that the Holly is a member of its family, yet they look nothing alike, not even the leaf shape.

The leaves are as glossy as the Holly’s and the Inkberry also produces berries but they are black, not red.

#44 Lantana

A beautiful name for a stunning tree. The Lantana is known far and wide for its multicolored flowers, unlike other trees whose flowers take a single shade.

It loves the sun and you can tell by how the tree looks when the light hits it just right. You enjoy how the tree looks even without excessive maintenance.

#45 Marigold

The Marigold has etched its way up the list of favorite garden plants. It is now a household name and it is clear to see that it earns it.

It prefers a sunny spot where it can soak up all the sun and keep looking as gorgeous as ever.

#46 Bougainvillea

It goes without saying that the Bougainvillea is a pretty tree, which explains why some people find it the perfect alternative to roses. The two share a lot in common from the thorns to the impressive colors.

Now imagine having such growing up along the walls of your house.

#47 Honeysuckle

The Honeysuckle is among the zone 5 plants that should be among your favorites if you are going for a low maintenance fragrant tree for your house. It doesn’t care whether you have poor soil or not.

Its job is to spruce up your home while adding a little color and fragrance, something that it does so perfectly.

#48 Star Jasmine

The Star Jasmine ticks all your boxes, including the ones you didn’t know you had. Why?

It has all the star qualities you need in a climbing tree; it has bright and fragrant white flowers, it works for planters and outdoor settings, it can survive in shaded spots, it can work indoors, and it heavily attracts pollinators. What more could you ask for?

#49 Butterfly Vine

From its name, it immediately clicks that the butterflies are huge fans. Some homeowners grow it not because it is easy to care for, but because wildlife flocks to it.

Imagine spending your days staring at animals coming over to your garden.

#50 Climbing Roses

The list of climbing plants would not be complete without the Climbing Roses. They are the number one favorites for homeowners who love the rainbow colors and sweet fragrances.

The only hurdle to deal with is that the trees don’t latch onto walls like other vines, and force you to provide climbing structures like trellises and fences.³