Key Takeaways
Salvia is a standout perennial that reliably returns each year and blooms for months with very little effort.
It shrugs off heat, cold, and drought while offering vivid color and natural deer resistance.
Other easy-care picks—like mountain mint, daylilies, yarrow, coreopsis, and black-eyed Susans—also bring lasting beauty with minimal upkeep.
When planting the perfect garden, finding low-maintenance perennials that allow you to kick back and enjoy their pretty show is one of the best ways to enhance your yard. These easygoing plants adjust to ever-changing conditions like champs, putting out beautiful foliage and blooms regardless of how attentive you’re being.
With so many options to choose from, we asked a few pro gardeners to name the easiest perennial to maintain—and they all gave the same answer.
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The Easiest Perennial to Maintain, According to Pro Gardeners
The answer that came up repeatedly for the easiest perennial to maintain was salvia, which is a large family of gorgeous bloomers that span from airy lavender spikes to bold jewel-toned plumes.
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“If I had to choose one perennial that stood up against Mother Nature—as well as all sorts of gardener abuse and neglect—I’d choose salvia,” says Katie Rotella, gardening expert and spokesperson for Ball Horticultural Company. “This perennial reliably pops back up in my garden each spring and stays colorful until the frost with several re-flushes of blooms. It grows tall enough to have a whimsical movement in a breeze, but not so tall that it flops open and becomes untidy.”
Paula Ramirez, a gardening expert for Gardino Nursery and Palmstreet, agrees. She says they are tough enough to withstand cold but can also thrive in the heat and humidity.
“As a bonus, many salvia varieties develop deep blue flowers, which are coveted and hard to find,” Ramirez says. “Their drought-resistant nature and low maintenance make them a perfect choice for an easy-care garden.”
As pretty as salvia blooms are—which come in purple, blue, magenta, pink, and white—they’re also a favorite among native pollinators. Rotella says that bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds love the nectar while the plant remains deer-resistant due to its fragrance and rough foliage.
Other Low-Maintenance Perennials
While salvia takes the cake as one of the easiest perennials to maintain, plenty of others deserve a shout-out, as well. Here are some runners-up that are worth adding to your gardenscape.
Mountain Mint
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The quick-spreading relative of mints grows in clusters and is the prettiest soft, powdery green hue. “It grows in full sun and tolerates many types of soil, and this native is an amazing magnet for a myriad of pollinators,” says Andrew Bunting, vice president of horticulture at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. “It spreads over time and forms a large mound. The bracts are a ghostly white and the tiny lavender flowers attract pollinators to the garden. Once planted, it requires virtually no maintenance.”
Daylilies
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Also available in many varieties, Ramirez says that the daylily is ideal for gardeners because it requires very little maintenance other than watering. It’s also tough and adaptable in most weather conditions. “They multiply easily each year, live long, and are easy to share with others,” she says.
Yarrow
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Yarrow is a feathery, flat-topped perennial that blooms in soft pastels and saturated sunset shades. “I like the soft texture of its foliage, and lots of color options help me customize my designs,” Rotella says. She adds, “This texture also makes the plant more deer-resistant. I love, love, love the Milly Rock series of achillea.” It’s notably drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, thrives in poor soil and full sun, and asks little more than occasional deadheading to keep the blooms coming.
Zagreb Threadleaf Coreopsis
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Every summer, this tough, sun-loving perennial erupts in a cloud of golden, daisy-esque blooms. It’s contrasted with airy, threadlike foliage that almost reads as moss. “It was selected by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society as a Gold Medal Plant for ease of cultivation,” Bunting says. “It only needs to be cut back once a year, and otherwise it is maintenance-free.”
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
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These bright yellow flowers are easy to grow and show off cheerful daisy-like blooms from early summer to fall. “Their gorgeous yellow or orange petals surround a darker center making them a unique addition to your garden,” Ramirez notes. “Most varieties grow around two feet tall and, like annual flowers, many will bloom the first year from seed.” After establishment, black-eyed Susans require minimal care and return each year.
Related: Garden Experts Agree—This Beloved Perennial Should Never Be Planted in the Shade
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