Some plants love basking in full sunlight and revel in heat, thriving in conditions that would make other species wither and die. However, this doesn’t mean growing plants in these conditions isn’t challenging.
To succeed, you must choose plants that not only flourish in these conditions but also showcase their beauty effortlessly.
In this guide, we will explore a variety of perennial plants that enjoy full sun and heat for long-lasting beauty and a vibrant, resilient garden or yard. These perennials come in diverse colors, textures, and forms.
20 Perennial Plants That Like Full Sun And Heat
1. Black-Eyed Susan
This delightful, tough perennial is a top summer performer with striking flower heads. A mature black-eyed susan is about 2 to 3 feet tall with a bushy growth habit. While this plant tolerates drought pretty well, it benefits from consistent moisture during its growing season.
Black-eyed Susans are well-adapted to sunny, hot locations (summer’s heat doesn’t even faze them). They also handle temperature fluctuations well.
Hardiness zones: 3-9
Related Posts:
- Potted Plants That Survive Winter Outside
- Perennial Flowers That Bloom From Spring To Fall
- Low-Maintenance Drought Tolerant Plants
2. Lavender
Native to the Mediterranean region that’s characterized by dry, hot summers and mild winters, lavender is ideally suited for full sunlight and heat. It also suits low-water landscapes because it needs minimal watering once established.
Consider lavender for ornamental and herb gardens, giving these spaces color, fragrance, and vibrancy. Lavender also attracts pollinators. You can harvest its flowers for aromatherapy, culinary use, and crafts.
Hardiness zones: 5-8
3. Coreopsis
Grow this plant if you desire a long-blooming plant (it will give your garden delightful colors from early summer to fall) that thrives in full sunlight and hot conditions. Coreopsis’ daisy-like flowers come in gold, red, pink, and yellow.
Even if you somehow neglect this plant, it will keep thriving but deadhead it regularly. Also, divide coreopsis every few years to avoid overcrowding and keep them robust.
Hardiness zones: 2-11
4. Coneflowers
Coneflowers are a favorite for sunny gardens since they offer vibrant summer blooms in many colors, like purple, pink, white, and orange. Besides sunlight, these flowers handle the heat quite well. The best place to grow coneflowers is a sunny site with properly draining soil.
Besides beauty, coneflowers have medicinal properties. Dried flowers are used in immune-boosting supplements. You can incorporate coneflowers in your bouquets.
Hardiness zones: 3-9
5. Blanket Flower
This tender perennial suits gardeners looking for undeniably stunning flowers that can withstand different conditions. Known for daisy-like flowers in radiant ombre patterns of yellow, orange, and red, blanket flower brightens gardens effortlessly.
You can grow blanket flowers in containers and garden beds, exposing them to full sun and heat. This perennial grows in a low, mounding habit, and its green leaves complement the vibrant flowers.
Hardiness zones: 3-10
6. Yarrow
Yarrow is well-suited to hot, dry climates, so it excels in full sunlight and intense heat. While it tolerates poor soil, it grows best in well-drained soil. You can use yarrow as ground cover or grow it in your wildflower garden or meadow.
Yarrow spreads quickly; therefore, divide them every few years to stop overcrowding. Yarrow plants attract pollinators and house beneficial insects.
Hardiness zones: 3-9
7. Obedient Plant
A notable feature of this striking perennial is its tall, erect, pink, lavender, white, or purple flower spikes that resemble tiny dragonheads. If you gently push the flower, it tends to stay in its new position, hence the name “obedient plant.”
Grow obedient plants in poor soil to contain its spread. This plant has many cultivars, like ‘vivid,’ ‘Crown of Snow,’ and ‘Pink Bouquet.’ However, the ‘Miss Manners cultivar’ behaves better in gardens.
Hardiness zones: 3-10
8. Sedum
With around 600 sedum species, this succulent plant comes in many forms. Depending on the variety you pick, you will appreciate this plant for its thick, flexy, interesting foliage or clusters of pink, red, yellow, or white star-shaped flowers.
The green, blue-green, or even red foliage often turns purple or bronze in the fall. Sedum is perfect for rock gardens as it thrives in arid climates.
Hardiness zones: 3-11
9. Lantana
Pick a site with well-draining, somewhat acid soil, warm temperatures, and full sunlight for this heat-loving perennial. Lantanas can tolerate drought and poor soil, but give them a deep soak every week. Plant lantanas in borders, containers, or as ground cover, especially in warm climates.
Lantanas are a reliable nectar source and are deer-resistant. This vining perennial’s fragrance is offputting to some people.
Hardiness zones: 7-11
10. Million Bells
These mini petunias are popularly grown in hanging baskets, containers, and window boxes where their colorful flowers and green, somewhat dense foliage can beautifully cascade. Million bells can flower continuously from spring until frost.
You can also grow them in your garden beds with other plants for color and contrast. Ensure your million bells get full sun with consistently moist soil during summer’s hottest parts.
Hardiness zones: 7-11
11. Speedwell
Speedwell’s long-lasting blooming and ability to attract pollinators make them famous garden plants. They are often seen in garden beds and borders and make great ground covers. This perennial adapts well to different conditions, from various soils, full sun, partial shade, and even heat.
This plant adds visual interest and height to areas because of its upright, densely packed flower spikes and colorful blooms.
Hardiness zones: 3-8
12. Blazing Star
This magical plant also goes by Gayfeather and Button Snakeroot. It is loved by many, from gardeners and bees to butterflies, and is celebrated for its striking appearance. Blazing stars grow slender and tall, accompanied by small, spike-like, star-shaped flower clusters in fall.
The blazing star grows best in full sunlight and tolerates humidity and heat. You can grow it on any soil type, provided it drains properly.
Hardiness zones: 3-9
13. Daylilies
These hardy perennials are naturally adaptable. Once they mature, daylilies become tolerant to drought and high temperatures, hence suitable for hot climates.
To get those yellow, orange, red, pink, and purple trumpet-shaped flowers in abundance, make sure your daylily plants receive at least 6 hours of sunlight. Water your daylilies regularly during the first year to help them establish strong, deep roots.
Hardiness zones: 3-9
14. Russian Sage
Look no further if you want a prolific flowering plant with gorgeous silvery-purple flowers for your sun-kissed garden. Aside from the beautiful flowers, Russian sage features aromatic, silvery-gray foliage. This plant is a popular addition to xeriscaping landscapes.
Russian sage can withstand high temperatures without requiring much watering. Grow this perennial plant in dry soil and full sunlight for intense flowering and vigorous growth.
Hardiness zones: 5-10
15. Poppies
Poppy’s iconic crinkled petals make it a striking addition to any garden. You will love its flower’s warm shades in deep red, orange, and delicate pink, purple, and white, usually with contrasting dark centers. Although many poppies are annual, some varieties are perennial.
Poppies reseed themselves, giving you a stunning display of blooms for many seasons. This plant is successful in full sunlight and soils that drain well.
Hardiness zones: 3-8
16. Hardy Plumbago
You will easily recognize this hardy perennial by its vibrant blue flowers. Its foliage spots a red tinge in the fall. Starflower grows low, typically reaching 6-12 inches high and spreads to 12-18 inches.
While it grows well in partial shade, hardy plumbago favors full sunlight, where it can produce the most flowers. In addition, it tolerates heat and is thus suitable for warm climates.
Hardiness zones: 5-9
17. Butterfly Weed
Do you want pollinators flocking to your sunny garden? Grow butterfly weed, a plant well-suited for the dry, sunny spots. Its bright yellow, red, or orange flowers are pollinator magnets, especially butterflies. A mature butterfly weed is around 12-36 inches tall.
This bushy, upright perennial does not have the milky sap commonly associated with other milkweeds. Ensure your butterfly weed plants receive lots of sunlight.
Hardiness zones: 3-9
18. Firebush
Leave your firebush plants on their own, and they will reach a height of 15 feet. The highly heat-tolerant plant can endure hot, sunny conditions with minimal water. Aside from low maintenance, firebush retains its appeal all year round, with stand-out features such as the bright, tubular flowers.
Its foliage is also attractive. It produces dark green leaves that can turn reddish or bronzy, particularly in full sunlight.
Hardiness zones: 8-11
19. Rockrose
This evergreen shrub is a fabulous choice if you are looking to add texture and color to dry, hot areas. This sun-loving perennial tolerates drought and flourishes in poor soils. Rockroses are popular in coastal and xeriscaping gardens.
A mature rockrose is around 3-5 feet tall with a similar spread.
Hardiness zones: 6-10
20. Euphorbia
Give this plant fitted for sunny, arid a go for intriguing foliage in your garden. The leaves come in various shapes, textures, colors, arrangements, and sizes. Euphorbias can be large, upright shrubs or even creeping groundcovers.
This plant’s resilience makes it perfect for low-water gardens. Full sunlight promotes euphorbia’s best growth and flowering.
Hardiness zones: 4-10
To Summarize,
Although gardening in heat and full sun is demanding, it is doable. The plants discussed in this piece are a testament to this. So, whether you want colorful blooms, intriguing forms, or captivating foliage, there’s a perennial plant above to suit your landscaping needs.
Hey there, fellow plant enthusiasts! I’m Rachel, the green-thumbed writer behind Rooted In Garden. With a deep-rooted love for all things botanical, I’ve made it my mission to help you cultivate a thriving collection of houseplants. As a devoted plant parent myself, I understand the joys and challenges that come with nurturing these leafy wonders. Whether you’re a succulent aficionado, an orchid enthusiast, or simply adore all potted flora, join me on this journey as we explore the secrets to growing and caring for our beloved green companions. Together, let’s create a flourishing oasis indoors.