DavidSouth Africa is home to a wide variety of beautiful and low-maintenance garden plants. From the iconic proteas and wildflowers to the succulents and creepers, these plants are easy to care for and will add color and charm to any garden.
Among the low-maintenance garden plants in South Africa that you can plant include Brunfelsia pauciflora, Begonia x Semperflorens-cultorum, Purple Fountain Grass, Aloe Vera, Digitalis purpurea, Salvia Rosmarinus, Tagetes patul, Osteospermum, and Dianthus, among others that will be mentioned later.
Fortunately, some plants can thrive in these conditions. From succulents to hardy shrubs, these choices are sure to bring a breath of fresh air to your garden.
This article will provide you with an overview of the 20 best low-maintenance garden plants for South Africa.
20 Best Low-Maintenance Garden Plants in South Africa
Having a garden that is low maintenance but still looks beautiful can be a challenge in South Africa. The climate is often unpredictable and temperatures can range from scorching hot to cold and wet.
Here are 20 of the best low-maintenance garden plants in South Africa. You can enjoy the beauty of these plants in your garden with minimal effort.
#1. Brunfelsia Pauciflora
Brunfelsia pauciflora, known as Brazil raintree, and commonly referred to as the Yesterday-Today-and-Tomorrow plant, is a low-maintenance garden plant native to South America.
It is an evergreen shrub that blooms with fragrant flowers in shades of purple, blue, and white. It is a great choice for a low-maintenance garden in South Africa, as it is drought-tolerant and tolerant of a range of soil types.
It is also a great choice for a butterfly garden, as its fragrant blooms are attractive to butterflies.
#2. Begonia X Semperflorens-Cultorum
Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum is a low-maintenance garden plant native to the South American countries of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The plant is an evergreen, clump-forming, herbaceous perennial with a spreading habit.
It is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a low-maintenance garden plant that will provide a year-round display of colorful blooms. The plant produces large, bright, showy flowers throughout the summer months, with some varieties providing a continuous display of blooms.
The plant is drought and frost tolerant and requires minimal care and maintenance, making it a popular choice for gardeners in South Africa.
#3. Purple Fountain Grass
Purple Fountain Grass is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant garden plant, clump-forming perennial that produces attractive, purplish-red foliage and showy plumes of pinkish-purple flowers in summer.
It is ideal for borders, rock gardens, and container gardens, and is low-maintenance and easy to care for. It is also deer and rabbit resistant, making it a great option for gardens in areas with high wildlife populations. This drought-tolerant ornamental grass looks great in any garden with its purple-green foliage.
#4. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a succulent plant with long, spiky leaves and yellow flower spikes. It thrives in well-drained soil and does not require frequent watering. Aloe Vera is also very resistant to pests and diseases, making it a great choice for those who want a low-maintenance garden.
The plant also provides a nice, exotic touch to any garden. Furthermore, it is believed to have medicinal benefits, making it a popular choice for those looking to grow a medicinal garden.
#5. Digitalis Purpurea
Digitalis purpurea, commonly known as foxglove, is a perennial herbaceous plant with attractive, bell-shaped flowers that come in a range of colors from purple, pink, yellow, and white.
The plant is relatively easy to care for and requires minimal maintenance, such as occasional pruning and occasional watering. It is an ideal choice for gardeners who are looking for a plant that is drought-tolerant and requires little care.
Digitalis purpurea is also known for its medicinal qualities, making it highly sought after by herbalists.
#6. Salvia Rosmarinus
Salvia Rosmarinus, commonly known as Rosemary, is a low-maintenance garden plant that is native to the Mediterranean region. It is an evergreen shrub with aromatic, dark green leaves, and it can grow to a height of up to 1.5 meters.
Rosemary is tolerant of a wide range of temperatures and can grow in hot, dry conditions, making it an ideal plant for South African gardens. It is also quite drought tolerant, making it a great choice for low-maintenance gardens. Rosemary is often used in cooking, and its fragrant leaves make it a great addition to any garden.
#7. Tagetes Patul
Tagetes patula, commonly known as French marigold, is a popular low-maintenance garden plant in South Africa. It is a short-lived perennial that grows to a height of around 30 cm. It’s bright yellow and orange flowers are attractive to pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
It is a drought-tolerant, heat-loving plant that prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is easily grown from seed and can be divided in early spring or late summer. It is a great plant for attracting beneficial insects and providing color in the garden.
#8. Osteospermum
Osteospermum commonly known as African Daisies is a genus of flowering low-maintenance plants native to Africa. It is a popular choice for South African gardeners as it is both drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, meaning it requires minimal care and attention.
Osteospermum flowers come in a range of vibrant colors, including white, pink, purple, and yellow, and provide a bright and cheerful addition to any garden. The foliage of the plant is low-growing and evergreen, providing a green backdrop all year round.
African Daisies is an easy-to-grow plant, which can be grown in both sunny and partially shaded spots, making them a great choice for a low-maintenance garden.
#9. Dianthus
Dianthus, also known as sweet William or Pinks, is a popular and low-maintenance garden plant that grows in a variety of climates and soils and produces beautiful, fragrant flowers of countless colors, such as pink, white, and red.
It is a long-lasting perennial and requires little maintenance, aside from regular water and occasional trimming. It is also drought-tolerant and can survive in low-light conditions.
Dianthus is an excellent addition to any garden and can be used to add color and fragrance to outdoor spaces.
#10. Agapanthus Praecox
Agapanthus praecox is an evergreen, low-maintenance garden plant that is a popular choice for South African gardens, thanks to its hardiness and ability to thrive in low-maintenance conditions.
Agapanthus praecox is a deciduous perennial that grows to a height of about 1 meter, with a spread of up to 1.5 meters. Its strap-like leaves are bright green in color, and its striking blue-purple flowers bloom in clusters between November and March.
Agapanthus praecox is a tough, drought-tolerant plant that can be grown in a variety of soils, including clay and sandy soils. It is also relatively pest and disease resistant. It is a popular choice for low-maintenance gardens, as it requires minimal pruning and only needs occasional watering to keep it looking its best.
#11. Cape Honeysuckle
Cape Honeysuckle (Tecomaria capensis) is a low-maintenance garden plant that is native to South Africa and is widely used in landscaping and gardening. This drought-tolerant perennial can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, making it an ideal choice for a low-maintenance garden.
The showy orange or red flowers of Cape Honeysuckle provide a bright splash of color in the garden, and it is a great plant for attracting birds and butterflies. It is also easy to maintain, as it requires little pruning and fertilizing.
When planting Cape Honeysuckle, it is best to select a sunny spot and provide adequate drainage. With minimal care and attention, this hardy plant will provide beautiful blooms for years to come.
#12. Lantana
Lantana is a low-maintenance garden plant that is a popular choice for South African gardens. It is a drought-tolerant, evergreen shrub that produces bright, colorful flowers in a variety of hues. It is easy to care for, requiring minimal pruning and fertilizing and is a great choice for gardens with limited maintenance requirements.
Lantana is also highly adaptable, thriving in both sun and shade, making it a great choice for South African gardens that experience fluctuating climates. Its bright and showy flowers attract birds and butterflies, adding a splash of color and life to any garden. To further mention, Lantana is salt-tolerant, making it an ideal choice for coastal gardens.
#13. Dietes Grandiflora
Dietes Grandiflora, commonly known as the African iris or Fortnight lily, is a low-maintenance garden plant native to the eastern parts of South Africa. It is a hardy and drought-resistant perennial that grows in clumps and produces white, orchid-like flowers with yellow, purple, and blue markings. Its sword-like leaves stand upright and create dense foliage that makes it an excellent choice for borders or edging.
Dietes Grandiflora is a great choice for gardeners looking for a low-maintenance plant that can tolerate a wide range of conditions. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil but can tolerate partial shade and clay soils. It is highly resistant to pests and disease and requires little to no pruning or fertilizing. It is also cold hardy, making it a great choice for the cooler climates of South Africa.
Its attractive flowers, drought resistance, and low-maintenance requirements make it an ideal choice for a range of garden styles.
#14. Abelia Grandifolia
Abelia Grandifolia is a low-maintenance garden plant that is native to South Africa. The plant grows to a height of up to 3 meters and has beautiful, glossy green foliage with fragrant white flowers. It is an evergreen plant, meaning it retains its leaves throughout the year and requires minimal care. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun, however, it is drought-tolerant and can handle a variety of soils.
Abelia Grandifolia is an excellent choice for South African gardens as it requires minimal maintenance and is hard for a wide range of temperatures. It is known to attract butterflies and other pollinators, making it a great choice for those looking to create a wildlife-friendly garden.
#15. Tulbaghia SPP
Tulbaghia spp., commonly known as Society Garlic, is an evergreen perennial that features long, narrow, grass-like leaves and clusters of small purple or white flowers. The flowers have a sweet, garlic-like scent, hence the common name.
It is a drought-tolerant plant that requires little maintenance, making it an ideal choice for South African gardeners who want to create a low-maintenance garden. Tulbaghia spp. is a versatile plant that can be grown in a variety of conditions. It can be planted in full sun or partial shade and will tolerate a wide range of soil types as long as they are well-draining.
It is also relatively tolerant of salt in the soil and can be grown in coastal areas. It is an ideal choice for South African gardeners who want to create a low-maintenance garden. Tulbaghia spp. is an easy-to-care-for plant that will provide year-round color and interest. It is a great choice for borders, rockeries, and containers. It can also be planted as a ground cover and is great for adding texture to a garden.
#16. Gazania
Gazania is a low-maintenance garden plant that is well-suited to South African gardens. It is an evergreen, drought-tolerant perennial that thrives in full sun and is typically grown as an annual. Gazania is native to South Africa and is well-known for its bright, daisy-like flowers that bloom in a variety of colors including yellow, orange, pink, and white.
Gazania is a hardy plant that requires little maintenance, making it ideal for busy gardeners who don’t have a lot of time to devote to their gardens. It does best in well-drained soil and can be grown in containers or directly in the garden.
The plant is quite drought-tolerant, so it doesn’t require frequent watering, and it also does not need to be fertilized. Deadheading the flowers helps to promote continuous flowering, and the plant should be trimmed back to prevent it from becoming too leggy.
#17. Acacia
Acacia is an ideal low-maintenance garden plant for South African gardens. It is an evergreen shrub with an upright, rounded form and attractive foliage. The vibrant yellow flowers of Acacia are a welcome sight in any garden and the foliage provides a splash of green all year round. Acacia is also a hardy plant and is generally drought-tolerant once established.
It can tolerate both full sun and part shade and is relatively pest and disease free. Acacia is an ideal plant for a low-maintenance garden as it requires little pruning and minimal fertilizing. It can easily be propagated from cuttings, which makes it easy to maintain in the garden.
This drought-tolerant tree is an ideal choice for a low-maintenance garden, and also a great choice for South African gardens as it is adapted to the local climate, making it an excellent choice for those looking for low-maintenance plants.
#18. Blanket Flower
The Blanket Flower, also known by its scientific name Gaillardia pulchella, is a popular low-maintenance garden plant in South Africa. This hardy, drought-resistant variety is native to the American Southwest and is well-suited to the hot, dry climate of South Africa.
This sun-loving flower is a perennial, meaning it will come back year after year with a minimum of care. The Blanket Flower is an excellent choice for those looking to add a splash of color to their garden without any fuss. It is noted for its daisy-like flowers which come in a variety of colors including red, yellow, and orange.
The Blanket Flower is a low-maintenance plant that can thrive in a variety of soil types and requires very little water once established. It is also a great choice for attracting bees and butterflies to the garden.
#19. Ice Plant
Ice plant (Delosperma cooperi) is a low-maintenance succulent plant that is perfect for xeriscaping. It grows up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) tall and has bright magenta flowers that bloom from spring to fall. Its silver-green foliage is drought-tolerant and can thrive in poor soils. Ice plant is an excellent choice for rock gardens and other low-maintenance garden designs. It can also be used as a groundcover and is ideal for hot, dry climates.
#20. Lavender
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a low-maintenance garden plant that is native to the Mediterranean and popular in South Africa. It is a hardy evergreen shrub that is drought tolerant and requires very little maintenance.
This fragrant plant is the perfect choice for a low-maintenance garden, and it is also resistant to many pests and diseases. Lavender grows best in well-drained soil in full sun, although it can tolerate some shade.
It is also drought tolerant, making it a great choice for low-maintenance gardens. The fragrant, purple blooms of lavender are very attractive and the plants can be used as a border, in rock gardens, or as a container plant.
Ground Cover Plants For Full Sun South Africa
Ground cover plants are drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and thrive in full sun conditions. They are also ideal for creating a low-maintenance garden, as they require minimal pruning and weeding.
They also help suppress weeds and keep soil in place, thus helping to prevent erosion. Examples of these plants include species such as Vygie (Lampranthus spectabilis), Ice Plant (Delosperma cooperi), and Trailing Ice Plant (Lampranthus aureus).
Hardy Plants For Pots For Outdoors South Africa
Hardy plants for pots outdoors in South Africa are those plants that can tolerate the harsh conditions of the South African climate and are ideal for growing in containers. These plants are usually low maintenance and need very little attention.
Examples include succulents, aloes, cacti, and some ornamental grasses. These plants can provide long-lasting color and texture to any outdoor space and are a great way to bring a touch of nature to your patio or garden.
Shrubs For Full Sun South Africa
Shrubs for full sun south Africa are a great way to add interest to a garden or outdoor space. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can withstand the intense heat of the African sun.
Popular choices include Aloes, Agapanthus, Euphorbias, and Bougainvillea. These shrubs provide a great range of colors, textures, and sizes to suit any garden, as well as provide nectar for birds and other wildlife. With proper care and maintenance, these shrubs can thrive in full sun for many years.
South African Drought Tolerant Plants
South African drought-tolerant plants are those that can survive and thrive in environments with little or no water. These plants are usually adapted to the arid and semi-arid regions of South Africa and are often characterized by their ability to store water in their leaves and stems.
Examples of South African drought-tolerant plants include Aloe ferox, Crassula multicava, Stapelia variegata, Euphorbia ingens, Bulbine frutescens, Euphorbia caput-medusae, Frithia pulchra, Lampranthus multiradiatus, Aloe marlothii, Carpobrotus edulis, Euphorbias, and Mesembs.
These plants are ideal for those who live in a hot, dry climate, and they can help to create a vibrant, low-maintenance garden.
Full Sun Evergreen Plants South Africa
Full-sun evergreen plants native to South Africa can add year-round color to any garden. These include the agapanthus, aloe, and euphorbias, which require minimal water and can withstand a wide range of soil and temperature conditions.
Many of these are also drought-tolerant and can easily survive in areas with hot, dry summers. They can also be used as accents and borders in more traditional flower beds.
Best Selling Plants In South Africa
Some of the best-selling plants in South Africa include Aloe Vera, Protea, Bonsai, Sansevieria, and Bromeliads.
Aloe Vera is known for its medicinal properties and is used in a variety of skincare, hair care, and health products.
Protea is South Africa’s national flower, and it is known for its large, colorful blooms. Bonsai trees are a popular choice for indoor and outdoor gardens.
Sansevieria is a succulent that is easy to care for and is often grown as a houseplant. Bromeliads are a type of tropical plant that is popular for its colorful flowers and foliage.
Hardy South African Plants
Hardy South African plants are those that are native to the region and adapted to the climate, soil, and water conditions, making them able to withstand harsh conditions such as droughts, floods, and intense sunlight. These plants are typically low-maintenance and can thrive in a variety of habitats in South Africa.
Some of the most popular hardy South African plants include Protea, Aloe ferox (Cape Aloe), Carpobrotus, Leucospermum, Euphorbia ingens (Candelabra Tree), Crassula ovata (Jade Plant), Pelargonium sidoides (Cape Geranium), and Crassula mucosa.
These plants are a great way to add a unique touch to the garden or landscape.
Low Maintenance Plants Indoor
Low-maintenance plants indoors are types of plants that require minimal care and attention, making them an ideal choice for busy people or those who don’t have a green thumb.
These plants typically require very little water and are typically tolerant of a wide range of temperatures and lighting conditions. Popular types of low-maintenance indoor plants include succulents, air plants, pothos, Snake Plant, peace lilies, Bromeliad, rubber plants, dracaena, philodendrons, Chinese evergreens, ZZ Plant, Cast Iron Plant.
Must-Have Plants in Garden
Must-have plants in a garden include fragrant flowers, evergreen shrubs, and trees.
Fragrant flowers like roses, lavender, and jasmine can provide a pleasant aroma, while evergreens like yews, boxwoods, and pines can give year-round color.
Trees such as maples, oaks, and birches can provide shade and beauty to the garden. Other great options for a garden include flowering vines, ornamental grasses, and groundcovers.
Conclusion
The 20 Best Low-Maintenance Garden Plants in South Africa offer a great way to add beauty and color to your garden without too much effort. These plants are easy to grow and maintain and can withstand South Africa’s hot and dry climate. From succulents to lavender, to fruit trees, to ground cover, there is a low-maintenance plant to suit every garden. With a bit of research, you can find the perfect plant to add to your garden. With a little bit of care, these plants will give your garden the wow factor for years to come.
