Container Plants for Full Sun and Heat

When you live in a place that has more sun than shade and that feels like an oven during summer days, choosing the right plants is of utmost importance, as many may simply not survive the weather conditions.

Thankfully, however, there is quite a large selection you can choose from, so even if some of your favorite plants might not be suitable container plants for full sun and heat, we’re sure you’ll find some other ones to love on our list.

We’ve gathered some of our favorite plants that can easily survive even as harsh of a weather as constant exposure to strong sun, and listed them below.

#1 Lantana

Lantana is actually one of those plants that absolutely love sun, so if you’re somewhere where there’s plenty of it, it’s safe to say that your lantana will thrive, rewarding you with plenty of beautiful flowers, coming in all shades of red, orange, yellow, pink and purple.

Not to mention, lantana is a great plant to grow in pots, so if you don’t have a garden or your garden doesn’t have enough space to accommodate another plant, this particular species will be more than fine in a container.

#2 Lavender

Just like lantanas, lavender plants also need full sun to grow exponentially. It’s also a pretty forgiving plant, so if you’re worried about not knowing how to take care of it, don’t be. Since lavender is native to the Mediterranean region, it doesn’t need to be watered that often - you can wait until the soil dries and then water it. In fact, a lot of times, if a lavender plant dies, it’s because it has been watered too much.

Regular lavender can be planted in a container - however, you should opt for a larger planter to give it room to grow, as they reach as much as 2 ft in height and width. If you don’t have that much space or would prefer a smaller plant, look for dwarf varieties, as those shouldn’t reach more than 1 ft in height and width even when matured.

#3 Hibiscus

As a tropical plant, Hibiscus is another great option for anyone looking to add some color to their garden or other outdoor space that gets plenty of light. What’s more, hibiscus is also one of the plants that make a great addition to a sunroom due to its sun and heat tolerance.

Again, it’s a very good plant to grow in pots, and it doesn’t require that much maintenance, making it a good place to start for those just beginning their potting journey. As long as you provide it with the right potting mix, place it somewhere with full sun, and water it once the soil dries out, it should be more than fine.

#4 Fan Flower

Fan flowers, also known as fairy fan flowers, got their name from the characteristic shape that resembles a folding fan. Available in a number of colors, including blue, pink, white, and purple, with yellow and white on the inside, they add a nice splash of color wherever you place them. As for the container, smaller outdoor planters with drainage holes will work wonders.

They’re very beginner-friendly plants and will also be a great choice for anyone who does not have a green thumb, as due to their nature, they thrive even when neglected. One thing you should remember, however, is that fan flowers hate soggy conditions and are prone to root rot - so limiting how much you water them might actually be more beneficial than harmful.

Tip: For the first few weeks after planting, water them more often to help them establish.

#5 Catmint

Once again, a very tolerant plant. Catmint thrives in full sun, so as long as you use a quality, well-draining potting mix and water it regularly during its first season so that it can establish a root system, then it should be more than fine. Since it is a perennial plant, after that first season and once it roots itself, water is only required as needed, typically during extreme heat or prolonged dry spells.

Catmint flowers in various shades of lavender, blue, pink, and white and exude a characteristic lemony-minty smell. If you want to attract pollinators to your garden or balcony using plants, this one is a great choice, attracting bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and more.

#6 Coneflowers

The final addition to our list of heat and sun-resistant plants are coneflowers. Available in shades of pink, white, and purple, these beautiful perennials make great container plants - as long as the garden or balcony planter you decide to use is large (minimum 2 gallons) and has drainage holes.

They’re a bit more demanding than some of the ones we mentioned previously, as they require regular watering and grow best when a slow-release, all-natural fertilizer is used - however, it’s still pretty manageable.

As a bonus, coneflowers, or more specifically echinacea, as that’s the group’s name, might actually have some pretty good health benefits, although human research is limited as of now. They are believed to help in improving immunity, anxiety, and skin health, among other things and have been used by Native Americans for centuries to treat various ailments.

The Bottom Line

There are many more container plants that will thrive when put somewhere with full sun and constant heat - these are just some of our favorite ones. If there’s any plant you’re interested in aside from the ones we mentioned, remember to do your own research beforehand. It would be a shame for it to die due to harsh weather conditions.

Also, whichever plant you decide to add to your home, make sure to choose the right planter for it, too - especially in regards to size - planters that are too small can cause it to stop growing. In case of any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us! Fill out the contact form, and someone will reply to you as soon as they are available.