What are the Best Plants for New Gardeners?

If you are a new gardener, you may be wondering how to start gardening or what the best and easiest plants are to start with. As with all new hobbies, starting with something easier and working your way up is the best way to grow—and believe it or not, even those who’ve been gardening for years are still learning!

Gardening can be a lot of fun, so to get the most out of it, you’ll want to be successful. Some characteristics in plants you’ll want to start looking for should be less maintenance and less care. That being said, check out the list of the best plants for new gardeners below.

What are the best plants for new gardeners?

Some of the below plants are perfect for new gardeners as they don’t require a ton of maintenance, they’re fun to grow and they provide the right amount of experience to gardeners looking to take the next step:

• Sunflowers
• Tomatoes
• Herbs
• Zinnias
• Peppers
• Succulents
• Marigolds

1. Sunflowers

Sunflowers are easy to grow and can quickly reach impressive heights. They also attract pollinators to your garden. Sunflowers are pretty tolerant of heat and resistant to harmful pests, meaning you won’t have to worry about hot temperatures during the summer or insect damage as much.

2. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are one of the most popular plants for home gardeners. They are relatively easy to grow, and you can get a good harvest with just a few plants. Tomatoes will last all year long and don’t have as much of a problem with heat as other plants. However, they don’t tolerate frost so if you’re transplanting, be sure to do so after the colder season is over.

3. Herbs

Herbs like basil, oregano and thyme are easy to grow and can add a lot of flavor to your meals. They also have medicinal properties. The cool thing about herbs is that they are tolerant of different soils, levels of sunlight and amounts of irrigation. This leaves you a little wiggle room to learn without worrying about damaging the plant.

4. Zinnias

Zinnias are beautiful, colorful flowers that are easy to grow and require minimal maintenance. They also attract butterflies to your garden. These guys flower just a few short weeks after establishing and they require very little fertilizer, saving you money or letting you use it on other plants.

5. Peppers

Peppers are another popular choice for home gardeners. They are easy to grow, and you can get a good harvest with just a few plants. Bonus—you can enjoy snacking on them! Peppers are easy to grow in most climates. Hot tip: Peppers grow upright and eventually, their stalks get weighed down by the fruit they produce. Using a couple of stakes to support the plant keeps branches from breaking.

6. Succulents

Succulents are low-maintenance plants that are great for beginners. They come in a wide range of shapes and sizes and can add a unique touch to your garden. Certain succulents can also be kept indoors! They’re easy for beginners because they store water longer, meaning you don’t have to spend as much time making sure they’re getting enough to drink.

7. Marigolds

Marigolds are easy to grow and can help keep pests away from your garden. They also add a bright splash of color to your garden. Marigolds are an excellent choice of plant to grow next to your tomatoes because they are companion plants, meaning they work together to benefit each other. For example, planting marigolds between your tomatoes keep diseases and harmful insects away! Marigolds are hardy and can withstand full sun and hot temperatures.

Not all plants are created equal—remember to start with good soil, plenty of sunlight and proper watering for each individual plant to thrive. Happy gardening!