5 of the best low maintenance plants for busy people

When you’re busy with work, kids and life, maintaining the garden can quickly slip to the bottom of your to-do list.

If you’re time-poor, these low maintenance specimens are perfect for you – just plant and forget and you’ll have some gorgeous greenery to help feel connected to nature!

1. Lomandra and other natives

The lomandra is an easy-care native with narrow leaves that grows in tussocks to around a metre high. It’s got pale flowers and long thin leaves, and requires little to no maintenance once its taken hold. In fact, some varieties will grow in sun, shade or heavy frost and tolerate all soil types.

If the lomandra’s not your cup of tea, Australia has a huge range of beautiful native plants which are mostly low maintenance. Our favourites are the westringia or the callistemon.

2. Succulents and cacti

Succulents and cacti are perfect for a low maintenance garden since they require little watering and can tolerate extreme heat. Some of our favourites include:

1. Chalk sticks, which have a unique blue colouring.
2. Pig face, which boast beautiful flower displays despite their name.
3. Portulaca grandiflora, which flowers in multiple colours.

Plant these in a sunny spot with free draining sandy soils and they’ll thrive.

Succulents and Cacti.

3. Lavender and rosemary

Lavender and rosemary are incredibly hardy and attractive plants that can grow with little to no maintenance. They both like sun and well-draining soil, but they will grow in semi shade in most cases.

They’re useful too – rosemary goes great with a roast, while rubbing lavender flowers on your pillow is said to assist with sleep.

Lavender.

4. Liriope

The liriope is cheap, hardy and comes in a wide range of sizes and colours. Generally, they feature long, strap-like green leaves and colourful flowers that bloom at springtime. They’ll grow in sunny and shady locations and are great for border planting or creating evergreen walls that become a living, breathing feature wall.

Blooming Liriope.

5. Sago palm

Sago palms are hardy, evergreen plants of the cycad family. They have an eye-catching symmetrical shape, and shiny dark green leaves on a thick trunk, and are a favourite plant for many landscapers. Apart from removing old foliage once a year, they require little to no maintenance and will grow in sun or shade.

When life gets busy the little things can get forgotten. If you choose the right plants, that won’t matter. You’ll be able to enjoy a peaceful, outdoor space, remaining in touch with nature without all the hassle.

Sago Palm.