Picking heat tolerant plants for those blazing, sun-soaked spots in the garden can be tricky, as most of us have learned the hard way that not every variety is cut out for the job. The trick is to find heat resistant plants that are basically built for the relentless sun, which is essential for creating a low maintenance drought tolerant garden. Whether you’re looking for Mediterranean herbs, desert succulents, or sun hardy plants, these species are up for the challenge.
It’s wild, but research shows some alpine plants get up to 20°C hotter than the surrounding air just from soaking up the sun. Still, you can absolutely have a thriving garden in these tough conditions if you stick to plants that do well in sun. From vibrant sun loving ground cover to striking full sun foliage plants, there are plenty of plants for hot sun that bring life to stubbornly sunny corners.
By choosing the right outdoor plants full sun landscaping requires, you can ensure your garden stays lush and textured even in the peak of summer. From flowering perennials bursting with color to ornamental grasses, there’s no shortage of options for those who want a beautiful, resilient outdoor space.
1) Lavender
Lavender just loves the heat and sun…it’s almost like it craves it! This classic Mediterranean herb likes dry, sandy soil and shrugs off even the hottest summer days.
There’s plenty of evidence that lavender handles a range of temperatures, so it’s a flexible pick for lots of climates. Once it’s settled in, you barely need to water it. This one’s a no-brainer for sunny gardens.
2) Marigold
Marigolds are almost made for full sun and don’t seem to mind the heat at all. Give them at least six hours of direct sunlight and they’ll reward you with cheerful flowers.
They’re pretty adaptable too, as studies show marigolds can handle a range different temps, and some types are even tougher than others. Once they’re growing, you won’t have to fuss over them much, which is always a plus.
3) Russian Sage
Russian sage is one of those plants that just doesn’t quit, even when it’s scorching outside. Silvery leaves, purple-blue flowers – what’s not to love?
Stick it in full sun, even if the soil isn’t great, and it’ll add a ton of structure and color with barely any maintenance. Bonus: pests don’t seem to care for it.
4) Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)
Blanket flower is as tough as it is colorful, which is saying something. It’s an annual that loves full sun and doesn’t flinch when the temperatures climb.
They’re happiest in light, well-drained soil with loads of sun. There are twenty-eight species to choose from, so you can find one that fits your style.
You’ll usually see blooms three or four months after planting, and they just keep coming.
5) Sedum (Stonecrop)
If you need something that basically ignores the heat, sedum is your friend. These succulents thrive in baking sun and don’t mind when things get extreme.
They’re also hardy in the cold, so you’ll find them in all sorts of climates. Sedums are drought-resistant and don’t need much water, even in the hottest months.
They’re also happy in poor soil and need almost no attention once they’re settled in.
6) Daylilies
Daylilies are a garden classic for a reason, as they’re easy and they love full sun or a bit of shade. Sun for most of the day is best, but they’re certainly not too picky.
Plenty of varieties will do fine with just morning sun. These hardy perennials are surprisingly adaptable and will grow in nearly any soil. If you want something reliable for a sunny spot, you could do a lot worse.
7) Yarrow
Yarrow is the kind of plant you can almost forget about. It loves full sun and heat, and its roots dig down to about 20 cm, so it can grab water even when things get dry.
It’ll grow in all sorts of light, but sunlight is where it shines. Yarrow keeps going in Mediterranean climates and shrugs off temperature swings. The feathery leaves and clusters of blooms add a nice touch of texture, and you barely need to water it once it’s established.
8) Coneflower (Echinacea)
Coneflowers are made for full sun and don’t seem to mind the heat. Echinacea can take temps up to 38°C and still push through winter like nothing happened.
They’ll grow in anything from full sun to light shade, but honestly, the more sun, the better. Purple coneflower especially loves it and isn’t fussy about soil. Just give them well-drained ground and they’ll pretty much take care of themselves.
9) Lantana
Lantana is one of those plants that seems to thrive on neglect; full sun, heat, whatever you throw at it! It’s got a serious knack for handling light and doesn’t wilt under pressure.
Warmth and sunlight only make lantana happier, and it’ll keep pumping out bright blooms all season. No wonder it’s so popular in hot climates.
10) Oleander
Oleander is just built for the heat! Intense sun, high temps, it takes it all in stride. This evergreen shrub handles temperature extremes, even up to 45°C, and keeps on photosynthesizing.
It’s drought tolerant once it’s set up shop. Expect colorful blooms in pink, white, red, or yellow all summer. Growth really takes off in hot weather.
11) Agave
Agave is a sun lover through and through, perfect for dry, hot spots. Thanks to its unique way of photosynthesizing, it’s super efficient with water even when it’s sweltering.
It’ll tolerate conditions that would fry most other plants. Those thick, juicy leaves store water and don’t burn up in the sun, so you can pretty much plant it and forget it. Maintenance is minimal.
12) Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea is all about the sunshine. It needs full sun to really show off those vibrant bracts. It’s surprisingly tough in hot, dry places and just keeps blooming.
If you grow it in the shade, the bracts get paler, so don’t skimp on the sun. Water it regularly and let it soak up the rays for the best color.
13) Crape Myrtle
Crape myrtle is a real star in full sun and doesn’t mind the heat at all. Loads of summer blooms in pink, purple, red, or white!
It’s a good option for hot areas where other flowers might fizzle out. Once it’s established, crape myrtle doesn’t need much water and just the occasional prune. The peeling bark is a nice bonus, especially in winter.
14) Texas Sage (Leucophyllum)
Texas Sage is made for the heat and sun. This drought and heat tolerant shrub has silvery leaves and puts on a show of purple flowers after summer rains.
For best results, give it full sun. As a Texas native, it’s used to minimal water and extreme temperatures.
15) Salvia
Salvia is another sun and heat champion. There’s a lot of variation in heat tolerance among types, but most can handle 20°C to 40°C without missing a beat.
Stick them in a hot, sunny spot and watch them go. Salvias are drought-tolerant and send up colorful flower spikes all summer. Once they’re established, they hardly need any water, so they’re great for low-effort gardens in warm climates.
16) Portulaca (Moss Rose)
Portulaca grandiflora is one of those flowers that just loves heat and dry spells. It’s a low-growing succulent that puts out a wild show of bright blooms through the summer, and honestly, it hardly seems to care how hot it gets.
There are around 40 different Portulaca species and they’re all pretty comfortable in warm climates. These plants are surprisingly good at holding onto water thanks to their thick, fleshy leaves. That little trick lets them thrive in full sun, even when other flowers are wilting.
17) Verbena
Verbena is one of those plants that just seems to love baking in the sun. If your garden gets hot, this is a great pick. It doesn’t mind extreme temps and actually prefers full sun for the best blooms.
Verbena can handle both heat and a bit of cold, though it’s happiest in rich, moist soil. You’ll need to keep an eye on the watering, especially if you’re growing them in containers, as they dry out fast on hot days. Still, their toughness and color make them a favorite for anyone who wants flowers without a lot of fuss.
18) Pampas Grass
Pampas grass is one of those statement plants that just soaks up the sun. It shrugs off heat and barely needs any attention once it’s settled in. The tall, fluffy plumes can easily top 10 feet, so if you want something dramatic, well, here you go.
It’s native to the warm, temperate Pampas region, and honestly, it looks incredible in a landscape if you’re after texture and year-round interest. Once it’s established, it barely needs a drink, making it a solid pick for those sun-blasted spots.
19) Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
Black-eyed Susan is just one of those classic summer wildflowers that handles heat and humidity like a champ. It’s native to Florida and all over the eastern U.S., and those bright yellow petals with the dark centers really pop in the sun.
You’ll usually see them bloom about 21.5 to 23 weeks after you sow the seeds, so not exactly instant gratification, but worth the wait. As long as they get plenty of sunlight, they’ll grow strong through the season.
20) Ice Plant (Delosperma)
Ice plant really loves soaking up the sun, and honestly, it seems to handle heat better than most. If you’ve got a dry, scorching spot in the yard where nothing else wants to grow, this quirky little succulent might surprise you.
Its daisy-like blooms are almost neon in summer, sprawling over the foliage like a living carpet. Just make sure the soil drains really well. Once it’s settled in, you barely need to water it. It shrugs off drought like it’s no big deal.
