15 Best Plants for Beginner Gardeners in Hot Climates

Starting a garden in a hot climate can feel intimidating—especially for beginners. But don’t sweat it! With the right plant choices, even the hottest, driest environments can be transformed into thriving, low-maintenance landscapes.

At ShrubHub, we believe gardening should be rewarding—not overwhelming. That’s why we’ve curated this list of the 15 best beginner-friendly plants that love the sun and don’t mind the heat.

Whether you're working with containers, borders, or full backyard beds, these tough plants will help you grow with confidence.

1. Lantana

Known for its continuous, colorful blooms, Lantana is a champion of the heat. It thrives in full sun, requires little watering once established, and attracts butterflies by the dozens.

2. Zinnia

Zinnias are bright, bold, and incredibly easy to grow from seed. They flourish in hot weather and bloom all summer, making them a favorite for sunny beds and container gardens.

3. Coneflower 

This native perennial is a heat-resistant powerhouse. Its daisy-like blooms return year after year and provide essential nectar for pollinators—all with minimal care.

4. Salvia

Salvia is both sun-loving and low-maintenance. With striking flower spikes and aromatic foliage, it’s perfect for gardeners who want a long-blooming, pollinator-friendly plant.

5. Bougainvillea

This tropical vine produces a cascade of vibrant color and thrives in dry, hot environments. It's perfect for fences, trellises, and sunny walls, and it blooms heavily with little water.

6. Blue Jean Baby Russian Sage

This compact and heat-hardy perennial offers stunning silvery foliage topped with soft lavender-blue blooms. It thrives in scorching sun and dry soil, making it a must-have for hot climate gardens. Bonus: it’s deer-resistant and low-maintenance!

7. Agave

The ultimate “plant it and forget it” succulent, Agave thrives in the sun and stores water in its thick, architectural leaves. It adds a sculptural element to your garden with virtually no upkeep.

8. Portulaca (Moss Rose)

This colorful groundcover produces bright, cup-shaped flowers and is nearly indestructible in heat. Ideal for borders, rock gardens, or containers where the sun blazes all day.

9. Oleander

A hardy evergreen shrub with fragrant blooms, Oleander handles heat and drought like a champ. It adds lush greenery and color even during the hottest months. (Note: Oleander is toxic if ingested, so avoid if you have pets that like to nibble.)

10. Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)

This drought-tolerant wildflower adds a fiery burst of red, orange, and yellow blooms. It thrives in dry soil, needs little water, and reblooms generously when deadheaded.

11. Sedum

Sedum varieties offer thick, fleshy leaves that store water and survive heat with ease. They’re perfect for rock gardens, containers, or borders and provide late-summer blooms.

12. Coreopsis

Coreopsis brings bright, cheerful flowers to your garden that can handle high heat and full sun. These low-maintenance perennials bloom for months and are beloved by bees and butterflies.

13. Black-eyed Susan

These golden-yellow daisy-like flowers are a staple of sunny gardens. Black-eyed Susans are beginner-friendly, self-seeding, and tolerant of tough summer conditions.

14. Russian Sage

We already highlighted Blue Jean Baby, but other Russian Sage varieties are equally sun-loving and drought-resistant. They bloom from summer into fall and add graceful movement to landscapes.

15. Rosemary

Not just a kitchen staple—Rosemary thrives in hot, dry conditions and doubles as a fragrant evergreen shrub. Use it in borders or containers for a functional and ornamental touch.

Start Your Low-Stress Garden with ShrubHub

Just because you live in a hot climate doesn’t mean your garden has to struggle. With the right plant selection, your outdoor space can be colorful, lush, and surprisingly easy to maintain.

At ShrubHub, we specialize in matching homeowners with plants that thrive in their unique climate. Whether you're starting your first garden or looking to update your space, our experts are here to help you create a landscape that works for you—not the other way around.

Need help designing your heat-friendly landscape?
Check out our plant marketplace or start your custom 3D design with a ShrubHub expert today.

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