What Are the Best Low-Maintenance Plants for Urban Gardens?
In theory, I like gardening. Pink gardening gloves, a big sun hat, possibly a little apron and there I go, playing around with my colorful plants. When you see a scene like that, it looks idyllic, like it could be a scene in Stepford Wives. But then reality kicks in.
Bugs, worms, the sun beating down on you, the gloves being too bulky, your clothes getting stained from the grass and dirt, and overall, it’s not so picture-perfect anymore.
But I figured that, just because I don’t like spending hours in the garden shouldn’t mean I don’t get to have any plants because I love greenery. Whether it’s house plants, garden plants, trees, shrubs, or grass, I just love it all and I should have it.
The answer to my problem? Low-maintenance plants. Of course, I still have to tend to them here and there, but there’s far, far less work with them and I can enjoy my plants rather than being a slave to them.
Top Low-Maintenance Plants
If you didn’t know, urban gardening is really popular in the U.S., especially in places that are densely populated, like New York and Pennsylvania.
Before I jumped into gardening (if we can call it that because it’s really not that much work), I made sure to find where I could buy good landscaping supplies near me because a few good tools would make this a lot easier.
Now, let me introduce you to some of my favorite plants.
1. Hardy Succulents and Cacti
You won’t find many plants that are more resilient than succulents and cacti. They have thick leaves where they store water, which means they’ll be just fine if you don’t water them frequently. I water mine every three weeks and I never notice them getting dried out in the slightest.
They thrive in containers and all they need is well-draining soil. They also do great in the heat and I keep my cacti and succulents in a bright spot, but without direct sunlight. And can we talk about how they look? Succulents and cacti are some of the most unique-looking plants I’ve come across.
2. Perennials
Perennials are a go-to for many people who don’t particularly enjoy gardening, like myself. They’re adaptable, they can handle poor soil, unpredictable weather, limited sunlight… Basically, they can handle pretty much everything and you’ll still see them come back next year.
Lavender and sedum can tolerate droughts, and hostas and daylilies do well even in the shade. They all bloom for a long time and you won’t need to replant them all the time. For perennials, all the work that I do is trimming and mulching here and there. And, of course, watering.
3. Air-Purifying Indoor-Outdoor Plants
Air-purifying plants are absolutely amazing because they’re beautiful AND they purify the air. I’d suggest lilies, spider plants, and ZZ plants because they’re incredible at filtering toxins like benzene, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde.
Maintenance is low, just like with all other plants I’ve suggested. They do well in all kinds of lighting conditions and as far as watering goes, they don’t need consistency. I’ll usually check every 10 days or so and see if the soil is dry. If it’s completely dry, I’ll water them, if not, then I’ll wait for a couple more days.
4. Edible Options
I wanted my garden to be a bit more functional and not just for show, so I planted a few herbs and vegetables. Mint, chives, kale, and cherry tomatoes all need hardly any maintenance, and they’re all herbs and vegetables most of us use often.
I keep most of them in containers and they absolutely thrive. As far as sunlight goes, all they need is basic exposure and watering here and there. Again, when the soil gets bone dry, I water them and that’s that.
Tips for Maintenance
Even the most low-maintenance garden can’t truly be low-maintenance if you don’t keep it in good shape. The good news is, it doesn’t take a lot of work to do that.
First, make sure to choose good soil that holds moisture, but that can still drain well. Second — the pots. They need to have drainage holes or the plants can rot. Water your plants on a regular basis, but don’t go too far and stick to the schedule.
When they need trimming, trim them, and check for pests regularly. If you hate weeding like I do, mulch is your best friend because it reduces weeds drastically, plus it keeps moisture in the soil.
Conclusion
And that’s how I have a garden without actually gardening. And not only do I have a garden that’s great to look at, but I also have my own herbs and vegetables. I’ll tell you, there’s nothing better than having fresh cherry tomatoes to put in my sandwich.
If you’re willing to do the bare minimum, you can have all of this, too!
Jenny Kakoudakis likes to blog about interiors. She launched award-winning Seasons in Colour in 2014 and the luxury interior design blog All The Pretty Homes in 2024. When she is not chasing criminals out of the financial system (her day job), she gets creative by redecorating her own home.
