Are you new to gardening or simply looking for low-maintenance plants that will thrive with minimal effort? If so, then you have come to the right place!
There are a lot of fruits, veggies, and flowers that can be grown almost effortlessly.
Whether you have zero gardening experience, a busy lifestyle, or simply want to enjoy the beauty of nature without constant upkeep, these plants will surely bring joy and greenery to your garden.
What’s also great is that they can be grown in pots and raised beds if you have limited garden space!
So, let’s begin our gardening journey together.
1. Kale
You would be surprised with how easy it is to grow kale – seriously, it seems as though this leafy plant doesn’t need anything to grow and thrive!
Kale is a popular veggie cherished for its nutritional value. It’s often added to salads, meals, smoothies, soups, and more.
This veggie can be easily grown in a container. For starters, get a 12×12 inch container that has drainage holes. Then, you should fill it with fertile soil that has a pH between 6 and 7.
The seeds should be sown 1-2 inches apart, and about 4-5 seeds per plant. It will usually take about eight weeks for kale to be ready for harvest.
It is important to keep your kale in a place where it can receive about 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply whenever the top inch of soil feels dry.
2. Cherry Tomatoes
The next on our list are cherry tomatoes. Not only are these precious little veggies absolutely adorable, but they’re also very delicious and highly nutritious!
Cherry tomatoes can be grown outdoors and in pots. Start the seeds indoors and then transplant the tomato seedlings once they have grown about 12 inches tall. Make sure to put them somewhere nice and sunny.
These plants also prefer well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. The pH level should be slightly acidic to neutral (around 6.0-7.0). Water deeply once or twice a week, allowing the top inch of soil to dry between waterings.
3. Zucchini
Zucchinis are one of the easiest vegetables to grow from seeds. Sow zucchini seeds about 1 inch deep in rows 18 inches apart. They typically require 45-55 days to grow.
Warm-season crops like zucchini should be planted once the summertime arrives. When planting zucchini, be careful to pick a location where they will get plenty of sun all day.
I would also suggest you fertilize the soil before planting as these veggies love nutrient-rich soil. Make sure to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
4. Lettuce
Here is yet another leafy veggie that is commonly used in salads and meals. This is a fast-growing plant that can produce for a long period of time if you give it enough water.
Lettuce can be grown in small pots, containers, raised garden beds, or directly in the ground.
Please keep in mind that lettuce seeds shouldn’t be sown too deeply because they require light to sprout. If this is your first time planting lettuce, it is best to sow them 1/8 and 1/4 of an inch deep.
You can either transplant it outdoors or keep it in a larger container. What’s also great is that you can harvest the leaves as they grow, you don’t have to wait for them to fully mature!
Keep the soil evenly moist and make sure to grow them in well-draining soil. Lettuce prefers a slightly cooler temperature and can grow in partial shade.
If your lettuce ends up with a bitter taste, then read: 5 Reasons For Bitter Lettuce And How To Prevent It
5. Cosmos
Cosmos is a beautiful flowering plant that can spruce up any garden and make it look more vibrant. This plant grows relatively tall, so you should pick a dwarf variety if you plan on growing it in a container.
Cosmos flowers have special meaning — they represent love, wholeness, and harmony. It is believed that they can attract happiness and joy.
The best time to plant cosmos would be June or July. Make sure that the plant receives full sunlight exposure. Cosmos plants are drought-tolerant and do not require excessive watering. Water deeply when the soil is dry, but allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings.
6. Marigolds
If you love yellow and orange colors, then you should definitely go for marigolds!
One of the reasons to grow marigolds is that they can fully thrive in containers. It is important to choose a container with drainage holes in the bottom. Start with planting the seeds into plastic trays, and then transplant them into containers.
These plants require full sun exposure and fertile soil. Once established, marigolds are relatively drought tolerant, so you don’t have to worry about constantly watering them.
7. Fuchsia
With their bushy appearance and vibrant pink and purple flowers, fuchsias are ideal balcony privacy plants that can be grown in pots.
These lovely plants can grow in full sun and partial shade. In fact, they thrive in locations with morning sun and afternoon shade. Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid waterlogging. Water thoroughly once the top inch of soil has dried out.
Deadheading is also recommended to boost flower growth. You will get to enjoy beautiful scenery throughout the summer with minimal to no care!
8. Sunflower
We are ending our list with the most cheery flowers out there. Sunflowers are renowned for their vibrant yellow flowers and delicious seeds.
Even though they usually grow in fields, there are some dwarf sunflower cultivars that can grow perfectly fine in pots. However, you will need a large pot since they grow between 12 to 42 inches tall.
Pebbles, stones, and other drainage materials should be added to the base of the pot before adding fertile soil. Sunflower seeds should be sown about 5 inches apart and half an inch deep.
Sunflowers love the sun, remember that when you are considering where to put them. Taller sunflowers will probably need some type of support for their stems.
If you are growing them in the garden, here’s a list of sunflower companion plants.