1796 Easy Plants | 2026 Guide
Discover 1796 easy plants for your garden. Complete care guide.
1796 Easy Plants
Showing 1-36 of 1796
Tree Ivy
× Fatshedera lizei
× Fatshedera lizei is a unique intergeneric hybrid created by crossing Fatsia japonica 'Moserii' and Hedera helix (English ivy), first bred by the French nursery Lizé Frères in Nantes around 1910. Belonging to the Araliaceae family, the plant combines the large, glossy, dark green five-lobed leaves of the Fatsia with the semi-climbing, shrubby growth habit of the ivy. Unlike ivy, it lacks aerial rootlets and therefore requires support (such as a moss pole or trellis) to grow vertically, to which it must be tied. In autumn, it produces spherical panicles of small greenish-white, sterile flowers at the tips of the shoots. It is a moderately hardy evergreen plant suitable for both indoors and (in milder USDA zones 7b–10b) gardens in shady to semi-shady locations.
Gasteraloe (hybrid genus)
× Gasteraloe
Gasteraloe is an intergeneric hybrid nothogenus of succulents created by crossing Gasteria and Aloe, belonging to the family Asphodelaceae. Plants form compact rosettes with thick, often spotted or banded leaves, and produce tubular flowers in orange, red, or pink during spring and summer. They thrive indoors and outdoors in warm climates (USDA zones 9–11).
Graptoveria
× Graptoveria
Graptoveria is an intergeneric hybrid succulent genus created by crossing plants from Graptopetalum and Echeveria, two rosette-forming genera native to Mexico and Central America. The result is a compact, symmetrical rosette of thick, fleshy leaves in shades of blue-green, lavender, dusty pink, or silvery white, often covered in a soft powdery bloom (farina) that reflects sunlight and helps the plant conserve moisture. Popular cultivars include 'Fred Ives', 'Moonglow', 'Debbie', and 'Bashful'. Like its parent genera, Graptoveria is an easy-care, drought-tolerant succulent well suited to sunny windowsills, rock gardens, and container displays in warm, dry climates.
Leyland Cypress
× Hesperotropsis leylandii
The Leyland Cypress (× Hesperotropsis leylandii) is a fast-growing evergreen coniferous hybrid belonging to the cypress family (Cupressaceae), originating from a cross between the Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) and the Nootka Cypress (Cupressus nootkatensis). Due to its dense, columnar-pyramidal, dark green foliage, it is one of the world's most popular hedging and windbreak plants. It can grow up to one meter per year and can reach a height of 20 meters under favorable conditions.
Glossy Abelia
Abelia × grandiflora
Glossy Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora) is a hybrid evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub prized for its small, glossy dark green leaves and abundant clusters of white to pale pink, bell shaped flowers that bloom from late spring through fall. Born from a cross between Abelia chinensis and Abelia uniflora, this compact, arching shrub typically reaches one to two and a half meters tall with a similar spread. It is widely used as an informal hedge, foundation planting, or specimen shrub, and its long bloom season makes it a magnet for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. In cooler climates the foliage can take on reddish purple tones and drop partially in winter, while in warmer zones it stays evergreen year round.
Glossy Abelia
Abelia x grandiflora
Glossy Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora) is a semi-evergreen ornamental shrub prized for its long-lasting display of fragrant, pink-tinged white bell-shaped flowers from late spring through fall. A hybrid of Asian species developed in the 19th century, it features attractive glossy foliage that turns bronze-red in winter. Highly adaptable and low-maintenance, it is widely used in hedges, borders, and pollinator gardens.
Okra
Abelmoschus esculentus
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is an annual vegetable in the Malvaceae family, native to tropical regions of Africa. It is cultivated for its green, elongated, and mucilaginous fruits, which are harvested while still immature for culinary use. It is a robust, fast-growing plant that requires full sun and a warm climate to fruit well, and it is very sensitive to frost.
Subalpine Fir
Abies lasiocarpa
The Subalpine Fir (Abies lasiocarpa) is a majestic coniferous tree native to the subalpine forests and mountainous regions of western North America, where it grows at elevations from 600 to 3,700 m. This slow-growing tree, with a narrow, conical crown, reaches a height of 15–27 m and a width of 3–6 m. It is characterized by smooth, silvery-gray bark with resin blisters on young specimens, and soft, spirally arranged needles with a striking silvery-blue-gray coloration. It is one of the most resilient cold-loving conifers, capable of surviving frosts down to –29 °C, and forms a typical mountain forest alongside dwarf pine and spruce. Due to its elegant habit, it is valued as an ornamental tree for large gardens and parks.
Wattle
Acacia
Acacia is a large genus of roughly 1,000+ species of shrubs and trees in the pea family (Fabaceae), commonly known as wattles (especially in Australia, where most species are native) or thorntrees in Africa. This profile represents general care guidance for the genus as a whole; individual species vary widely in size, hardiness, and specific needs, so always check the requirements for your particular Acacia species.
Copperleaf / Chenille Plant (genus)
Acalypha
The Acalypha genus (family Euphorbiaceae) encompasses fast-growing tropical and subtropical ornamental shrubs popular worldwide. Key species include A. hispida (chenille plant / red-hot cattail), prized for its dramatic drooping red catkins; A. wilkesiana (copperleaf / Jacob's coat), beloved for striking multicolored foliage in shades of bronze, red, and green; and A. reptans (trailing copperleaf), ideal for hanging baskets. All are vigorous, rewarding plants for warm climates and bright indoor spaces.
Jacob's Coat
Acalypha wilkesiana
Acalypha wilkesiana, commonly known as Jacob's Coat or Copperleaf, is a fast-growing tropical evergreen shrub from the Euphorbiaceae family. Native to the Pacific Islands (Fiji and neighboring South Pacific islands), it is prized for its strikingly colorful foliage that comes in mottled combinations of green, purple, yellow, orange, copper, crimson, pink, and white. The heart-shaped serrated leaves can reach 10-20 cm in length. It is widely used as an ornamental hedge or accent plant in tropical and subtropical gardens.
Fairy Castle Cactus
Acanthocereus tetragonus
Acanthocereus tetragonus 'Fairy Castle' is a dwarf, branching variant of the cactus native to the Americas. Its five-sided stems have short spines and grow in dense clusters, creating a silhouette reminiscent of a castle with multiple medieval towers. It is a slow-growing plant, extremely popular for interior decoration due to its sculptural appearance and ease of maintenance.
Field Maple
Acer campestre
The Field Maple (Acer campestre) is a medium-sized deciduous tree native to Europe, Southwest Asia, and North Africa. It is Denmark's only native maple and thrives in forest edges, hedges, and open landscapes. The Field Maple is recognized by its characteristic bark with corky ridges and five-lobed leaves that turn golden yellow and orange-red in autumn. The tree is extremely hardy, tolerates pollution and wind, and is particularly well-suited as a hedge and avenue plant. It grows up to 15–25 meters and lives for many hundreds of years.
Montpellier maple
Acer monspessulanum
The Montpellier maple (Acer monspessulanum) is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree native to the Mediterranean region, inhabiting rocky, dry habitats from southern France to North Africa and Western Asia. A member of the Sapindaceae family, it is distinguished by its three-lobed, leathery leaves that turn vibrant shades of yellow and orange in autumn. The tree is remarkably drought-tolerant and flourishes in well-drained, calcareous soils.
Sycamore Maple
Acer pseudoplatanus
Acer pseudoplatanus is a large, fast-growing deciduous tree native to central and southern Europe and southwestern Asia, now widely naturalized across the UK and North America. It forms a broad, dome-shaped crown with five-lobed, dark green leaves and produces hanging racemes of small yellow-green flowers in spring, followed by winged seeds (samaras) in autumn. It tolerates wind, salt spray, pollution and poor soils better than almost any other broadleaf tree, making it a popular choice for exposed sites, parks and shelterbelts. Note: the seeds and spring seedlings contain hypoglycin A, a toxin linked to atypical myopathy, a serious and often fatal muscle disease in grazing horses, so caution is advised when planting near pastures or paddocks.
sugar maple
Acer saccharum
The Sugar Maple is a large, long-lived deciduous tree native to the hardwood forests of eastern North America. It is most famous for its brilliant autumn foliage, which ranges from bright yellow to fluorescent orange and deep red. Beyond its beauty, it is the primary source of maple syrup, produced from its sweet sap during the late winter and early spring thaw.
Tatarian Maple
Acer tataricum
Acer tataricum is a deciduous, multi-stemmed small tree or large shrub native to central and southeastern Europe and temperate Asia, growing 4–9 metres tall with a broad, spreading crown. It produces greenish-white flowers in upright panicles during spring, followed by showy paired red samaras (winged fruits) that persist into autumn, and simple to shallowly-lobed leaves that turn yellow and red in fall. It is exceptionally cold-hardy, tolerating temperatures down to −30 °C, and adapts readily to a wide range of soil types including clay.
Yarrow
Achillea
Achillea, commonly known as yarrow, is a genus of roughly 85 species of flowering perennials in the daisy family (Asteraceae), native to temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. The most widespread species, Achillea millefolium (common yarrow), forms low mounds of soft, feathery, aromatic foliage topped by flat-headed clusters of tiny flowers in white, yellow, pink, or red, blooming from late spring through summer. Extremely hardy and drought-tolerant, yarrow spreads by rhizomes to form dense colonies and is prized by pollinator gardens, xeriscapes, and herbalists alike.
Pink Yarrow
Achillea × roseoalba
Achillea × roseoalba is a hardy, drought-tolerant perennial hybrid yarrow prized for its flat-topped clusters of pink and white flowers and finely divided, aromatic, fern-like foliage. A vigorous garden plant, it attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies while thriving in poor, well-drained soil under full sun.
Asian Yarrow
Achillea asiatica
Asian yarrow (Achillea asiatica) is a cold-hardy, rhizomatous perennial native to the steppes and mountains of Siberia, Central Asia, Mongolia, and northern China. It forms low mats of finely dissected, fern-like grey-green foliage topped by flat-topped clusters of small flowers in shades of white, soft pink, and lilac. Closely related to common yarrow (Achillea millefolium), it has long been gathered in Mongolian and Chinese folk medicine for its leaves, flowers, and roots, and is valued in gardens for its drought tolerance and long summer bloom.
Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a perennial, extremely hardy herbaceous plant that grows wild throughout Finland in meadows, fields, roadsides, and dry open areas. The plant is known for its finely divided, fern-like leaves and small, dense flower clusters (umbels) that range in color from white to pink. A familiar perennial herb in both nature and gardens, Yarrow has a long history of both medicinal and ornamental use dating back to antiquity—its name refers to the Greek hero Achilles, who according to legend used the plant to treat the wounds of his soldiers.
Christmas Palm
Adonidia merrillii
Adonidia merrillii, commonly known as the Christmas Palm, is an elegant and compact species native to the Philippines. It is distinguished by its smooth, single trunk and, most notably, its large clusters of berries that turn bright red in winter, resembling Christmas ornaments. It is one of the world's most popular ornamental palms for tropical landscapes and bright indoor spaces.
Plover Eggs Plant
Adromischus
Adromischus is a charming genus of small, clumping succulents native to Southern Africa, belonging to the Crassulaceae family. With about 28 known species, these plants are prized by collectors for their uniquely shaped, often spotted or mottled thick leaves. They thrive in bright light and are exceptionally drought-tolerant, making them ideal low-maintenance houseplants. In spring, they produce slender tubular flowers in white, pink, or red on long spikes.
Plover Eggs Plant
Adromischus cooperi
Adromischus cooperi, commonly called the Plover Eggs Plant, is a compact, slow-growing succulent native to the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Its thick, wavy-tipped leaves are speckled with purple or reddish-brown blotches that resemble the mottled eggs of a plover, giving the plant its common name. Nearly stemless when young, it slowly develops short, fleshy trunks with age.
Crinkle-leaf Plant
Adromischus cristatus
Adromischus cristatus is a compact succulent native to South Africa, prized for its distinctive triangular leaves with wavy, crinkled margins and rough texture. A member of the Crassulaceae family, it is a popular ornamental houseplant ideal for beginners.
Urn Plant
Aechmea
Aechmea is a genus of approximately 250 epiphytic bromeliads native to the tropical and subtropical Americas. Their distinctive tank-shaped rosettes form a central cup that holds water — a remarkable adaptation to life in the forest canopy. The most popular houseplant species, Aechmea fasciata (Silver Vase or Urn Plant), is celebrated for its long-lasting pink bracts and small violet flowers.
Orange Bromeliad
Aechmea blanchetiana
Aechmea blanchetiana, commonly known as the Orange Bromeliad, is a stunning tropical bromeliad native to the restinga coastal forests of Brazil's Atlantic Forest. Its stiff, linear leaves form a classic vase-shaped rosette that can hold up to one liter of water in the central cup. When grown in full sun, the foliage transforms into brilliant shades of orange, red, and apricot, making it one of the most striking bromeliads for tropical and subtropical landscapes. After flowering, the mother plant produces offsets that ensure continuity of growth.
Teata Bromeliad
Aechmea bracteata
The Teata Bromeliad (Aechmea bracteata) is an epiphytic bromeliad native to Central America, belonging to the Bromeliaceae family. It forms a rosette of rigid, spiny leaves that create a central "tank" for water collection. Its inflorescence is striking, with bracts in shades of pink, orange, and green.
Wax Mallow Bromeliad
Aechmea bromeliifolia
Aechmea bromeliifolia, commonly called Wax Mallow Bromeliad, is a terrestrial bromeliad native to the tropical regions of South and Central America. It forms a striking rosette of stiff, spine-edged leaves and produces a showy inflorescence with colorful bracts. It is one of the most widespread Aechmea species, found in gallery forests, cerrado, and open scrublands.
Urn Plant
Aechmea fasciata
Aechmea fasciata is an epiphytic bromeliad native to southeastern Brazil, renowned for its striking silver-banded leaves and spectacular pink inflorescence with tiny blue-violet flowers. It is one of the most popular bromeliads for indoor cultivation, valued for its exotic beauty and ease of care.
Nakedstem Bromeliad
Aechmea nudicaulis
Aechmea nudicaulis, commonly known as the Nakedstem Bromeliad or Naked-stemmed Living Vase, is a stunning epiphytic and terrestrial bromeliad native to Brazil's Atlantic Forest, with distribution extending through the Caribbean and northern South America. It forms a rosette of stiff, dark green, strap-like leaves with serrated margins, from which emerges a striking inflorescence: a bright red spike bearing greenish-yellow flowers tipped with blue-purple, appearing in summer through fall. The plant is prized for its architectural beauty, low maintenance requirements, and resilience. After flowering — a once-in-a-lifetime event — the mother plant produces offsets (pups) that carry on the colony. Its central tank collects rainwater, creating a vital microhabitat for wildlife in its native forest.
Ground elder
Aegopodium podagraria
Ground elder (Aegopodium podagraria) is a perennial herbaceous plant in the carrot family (Apiaceae), native to Europe and Asia. It is known for its extremely rapid growth and spread via rhizomes, making it one of the most hardy and invasive ground covers in temperate regions. The plant forms dense carpets of light green, ternate leaves and bears white umbels (flower clusters) from May to June. It thrives in shade to partial shade and tolerates most soil types. Historically, it was cultivated as a food and medicinal plant during the Middle Ages.
Aeonium
Aeonium
Aeonium is a genus of succulents with approximately 35 species, primarily native to the Canary Islands. Unlike most succulents, Aeonium grows actively in the fall and winter, entering dormancy during the hot summer. Its perfect rosettes of glossy leaves form stunning ornamental colonies, making it one of the most elegant succulents for Mediterranean gardens and pots.
Tree Aeonium
Aeonium arboreum
Aeonium arboreum is a woody-stemmed succulent native to the Canary Islands and North Africa, renowned for its striking rosettes of fleshy leaves atop branching stems. The dark-purple cultivar 'Schwarzkopf' (also spelled 'Zwartkop') is one of the most popular ornamental succulents worldwide.
Pinwheel Aeonium
Aeonium haworthii
Aeonium haworthii is a branching succulent shrub native to the Canary Islands, prized for its rosettes of blue-green leaves edged in red, arranged like the blades of a pinwheel. It grows into a low, multi-stemmed shrub and produces star-shaped white to pale yellow flowers in spring.
Stalked Aeonium
Aeonium undulatum
Aeonium undulatum is a striking succulent subshrub native to the Canary Islands, specifically Gran Canaria. Known for its large rosettes of bright, glossy, wavy-edged green leaves, it can grow over 2 meters tall on a single unbranched stem, making it one of the tallest species in the Aeonium genus. It is monocarpic, producing stunning pyramidal panicles of yellow star-shaped flowers after approximately 5 years.
What are Easy Plants?
Easy Plants are ideal for beginners or people with little time for care. These species are tolerant of watering mistakes, light variations, and don't require constant attention. Perfect for those just starting out with plants.
Tips for Growing Easy Plants
To succeed with easy plants, remember: less is more. Avoid overwatering, choose a spot with adequate light, and let the soil dry between waterings. Most of these plants prefer to be 'forgotten' occasionally.