These low-maintenance plants are perfect for containers because they keep looking good all season long. You don’t even have to deadhead!
Self-cleaning plants
When you have a container in a prominent spot, such as near the front door or on the patio, you want to make sure it always looks good. So choose plants that keep themselves looking their best with minimal effort from you. Self-cleaning plants are the best choice. That’s because they don’t require deadheading to remove spent flowers — petals just fall off. While it’s not necessary, occasional snipping back still helps them rebloom and tidies the plant if you want instant good looks. So which plants are self cleaners? Click through the slideshow below for some of the best!
Type Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual) Blooms White, purple, lavender, blue, pink, red and bicolors from summer through autumn Light Full sun Size 12 to 30 in. tall, 10 to 18 in. wide Hardiness Cold-hardy USDA zones 9 to 11, heat-tolerant AHS zones 10 to 1
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Bacopa (Sutera cordata)
Type Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual) Blooms Dainty pink, white or lavender blooms from spring through fall Light Full sun to part shade Size 1 to 12 in. tall, 6 to 24 in. tall Hardiness Cold-hardy USDA zones 9 to 11, heat-tolerant AHS zones 12 to 1
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Begonia (Begonia BabyWing™ series)
Type Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual) Blooms Pink, red or white blooms from spring through fall Light Full sun to part shade Size 10 to 15 in. tall and wide Hardiness Cold-hardy USDA zones 10 to 11, heat-tolerant AHS zones 12 to 1
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Bidens (Bidens hybrids)
Type Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual) Blooms Yellow or orange daisy-like flowers from summer to fall Light Full sun Size 6 to 36 in. tall, 12 to 24 in. wide Hardiness Cold-hardy USDA zones 9 to 11, heat-tolerant AHS zones 12 to 1
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Diascia (Diascia spp. and hybrids)
Type Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual) Blooms Purple, pink, red, white, orange or coral in early spring through fall Light Full sun to part shade Size 10 to 12 in. tall, 12 to 24 in. wide Hardiness Cold-hardy USDA zones 8 to 11, heat-tolerant AHS zones 12 to 1
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Lobelia (Lobelia erinus)
Type Annual Blooms Blue, white or pink flowers in spring through summer Light Full sun to part shade Size 6 to 14 in. tall, 6 to 16 in. wide Hardiness Heat-tolerant AHS zones 12 to 1
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Petunia (Petunia Supertunia® series)
Type Tender perennial (usually grown as an annual) Blooms Pink, purple, yellow, red, white, or striped spring through fall Light Full sun to part shade Size 6 to 12 in. tall, 24 to 48 in. wide Hardiness Cold-hardy USDA zones 10 to 11, heat-tolerant AHS zones 12 to 1
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Zinnia (Zinnia Profusion™ series)
Type Annual Blooms White, orange, apricot or cherry red flowers in spring through fall Light Full sun Size 12 to 18 in. tall and wide
Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work in the garden. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we
have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality.
Keep track of your summer garden chores with this helpful checklist. We’ll ensure your plants stay healthy all season, from beautiful blooms to a bountiful harvest!
