Sun Plants: The Top 10 For Garden & Balcony

Some like it hot. Whether a south-facing balcony or a bed without shade – these ten plants also feel comfortable in the blazing sun. The sun is an absolute must for plants. Unfortunately, even in this case, there is too much of a good thing: In the blazing sun, many plants get sunburnt, wilt, or even die. But what would a summer be without flowers?

Fortunately, numerous sun worshippers in the plant kingdom cannot get enough light and warmth. Whether for the balcony, the terrace, or the bed – here you will find ten plants that only really feel good in the blazing sun.

1. Helenium (Sneezeweed)

The name says it all: The sun bride (Helenium) actually wants only one thing – and that is sunshine. If you offer the plant a place, you won’t be disappointed – with its countless yellow flowers, it shines in competition with the sun and also attracts beneficial insects such as bees. But anyone who thinks that the sun bride cannot survive without warmth is mistaken. In fact, the plant is frost hardy down to -20 °C and thus perfectly suited for the American garden.

2. Petunia

A classic among the balcony plants is the petunia (Petunia). With its beautiful flowers, it enchants every garden from May to October and is therefore a true permanent flowering plant. At the same time, there is something for every taste among the many varieties and color variations. Also, its undemanding and easy to care for species has helped the Petunia to its great popularity. If you offer the flower a suitable location, it needs almost no care – as a true sun worshipper, it loves full sunny places where it is ideally still protected from the rain.

3. Creeping Zinnia (Sanvitalia procumbens)

Whether in the bed, in the tub, or on the balcony – Creeping Zinnia (Sanvitalia procumbens) always cuts a good figure. Especially the blazing sun is very well tolerated and then shines in its full splendor. With its numerous, bright yellow blossoms, the Hussar’s Button is a real feast for the eyes. But not only with its beauty, it inspires many: Also its robustness and its easy-care kind distinguish the hussar button and make it perfect for beginners.

4. Сitrus Tree

In the past, citrus plants (Citrus) such as the orange (Citrus sinensis), lemon (Citrus limon), or lime (Citrus aurantiifolia) were reserved only for the nobility and the rich, after all, their care was time-consuming and costly. Today, however, these exotic fruits can also be found in more and more hobby gardens – as potted plants the trees transform your terrace or balcony into an exotic paradise in no time at all.

The most important thing for citrus trees of all kinds is the right location: Especially in summer, lemon, orange, and co. love the blazing sun and can bathe quietly in the sunlight from morning tonight. In winter, on the other hand, a place in the house is appropriate – citrus plants usually cannot tolerate the icy temperatures in North America.

5. Geranium

It is and remains the unbeaten queen of the balcony plant: the geranium (Pelargonium). With a wide range of varieties and variations, this beautiful flower has almost nothing that does not exist. Among the geraniums, you can find both standing and hanging varieties and almost all flower colors from pure white to bright pink. Originally from South Africa, the geranium tolerates heat and dryness very well when well cared for – no wonder that it is ideal for a place in the blazing sun. You May Also Like How To Fertilize Geraniums

6. Paprika And Chili

Not only flowers thrive in full sun locations – peppers and chilies (Capsicum) also like the blazing sun best. Since chili and paprika belong to the same plant genus, they are very similar in terms of both location and care. Ideally, both plants should therefore be planted in front of a south wall where they can take advantage of the full sunlight.

7. Gladiolus

When the majestic gladioluses (Gladiolus) begin to flower in July, they quickly attract all eyes. The gladiolus grows up to one and a half meters high and impresses especially with its splendor of beautiful flowers that it carries on both sides of its stem.

At the same time, the gladiolus is available in all imaginable colors, so that a colorful sea of flowers is quickly formed. Like a summer flower, gladiolus loves the blazing sun and can easily tolerate a fully sunny spot in the garden. However, the plant should spend the winter indoors as it is particularly sensitive to frost.

8. Lantana Camara

Are you tired of the same boring potted plants? Lantana Camara (West Indian Lantana) might be just right for you. As the name suggests, the firefly has a very special ability: its flowers change color over time and can change from a delicate yellow when it blossoms to a carmine red in the fall. It thrives especially well in a sunny location – preferably in full sun.

9. Globe Thistle

The globe thistle (Echinops ritro) is definitely not a wallflower: With its extravagant globe flowers, which almost seem to float above the ground, it is a real eye-catcher in the bed and is in no way inferior to the classic garden flowers.

But not only humans are fascinated by the unique beauty of the globe thistle – bees and other beneficial insects also like to fly to the enchanting flowers. Despite its extravagant appearance, the ball thistle does not need however much care: If one offers it a place with plentiful sunshine, the plant is all around content.

10. Lavender

Bright sunshine and fields of lavender as far as the eye can see – lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is for many the epitome of a summer in Provence. Even in Americans lavender loves the bright sunshine and can therefore be planted in the blazing sun without a guilty conscience.

Here it delights the hobby gardener not only with its beautiful purple flowers but also with its intense scent, which makes it a medicinal plant. Moreover, thanks to its scent, lavender is a plant against mosquitoes.

If you are not blessed with a lot of sunshine, but with a shady garden instead, you can find the right Plants For Shade in this article.