When summer temperatures soar, your garden doesn't have to suffer. Choosing heat-tolerant plants is a smart way to ensure your landscape stays vibrant and lush, even during the hottest months. These plants are ideal for beginners, require minimal maintenance, and many are also drought-resistant flowers that add colour and life to your garden without constant care.
Why Choose Heat-Tolerant Plants?
Gardening in hot weather can be challenging. High temperatures and dry spells can lead to wilting, browning leaves, and plant loss. But the right plants can handle hot weather and thrive in full sun with less frequent watering. They’re resilient, often resistant to pests, and can save you time, water, and frustration.
Here are 10 of the best plants for hot weather to add to your summer garden:
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Lavender – Not only is lavender beautiful and fragrant, but it’s also incredibly tough. It prefers full sun, thrives in dry soil, and attracts pollinators.
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Sedum (Stonecrop) – A hardy succulent that stores water in its leaves, Sedum is great for rock gardens or borders and needs almost no care once established.
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Coneflower (Echinacea) – Known for its vibrant petals and medicinal uses, Echinacea stands tall in the heat and attracts bees and butterflies.
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Russian Sage – With its silver foliage and soft purple flowers, Russian Sage offers a delicate appearance with rugged durability.
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Blanket Flower (Gaillardia) – This cheerful daisy-like bloom loves the sun and blooms all summer long with minimal effort.
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Zinnias – These bright, fast-growing annuals are heat-loving and come in many colors. Ideal for borders and cutting gardens.
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Lantana – Great for containers or hanging baskets, Lantana produces clusters of bright blooms and thrives in dry, sunny conditions.
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Yarrow – A native wildflower known for its fern-like foliage and flat-topped flowers. Yarrow tolerates drought well and blooms all season.
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Portulaca (Moss Rose) – This low-growing plant spreads quickly, blooms profusely, and needs little water to thrive.
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Salvia – Both ornamental and edible types of salvia can withstand the summer sun while drawing pollinators like hummingbirds.
Tips for Growing in the Heat
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Mulch Your Beds: Adding mulch around your plants helps lock in moisture and regulate soil temperature.
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Group by Water Needs: Place drought-resistant plants together to make watering easier and more efficient.
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Water Smart: Water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep roots. Morning watering is best to reduce evaporation.
Heat-tolerant gardening doesn’t mean sacrificing beauty. With these plants for hot weather, you can enjoy a vibrant, thriving landscape—even during a heatwave.