Complete Gardening
Gardening doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavor. In fact, some of the most beautiful plants you can add to your garden are also quite affordable.
This list of 25 inexpensive plants will not only brighten your garden but also ensure you stick to your budget.
From vibrant flowers to lush foliage, these plants offer a variety of textures and colors that will make your garden stand out. Let’s explore these budget-friendly botanical wonders.
1. Marigold
Marigolds are a gardener’s dream, offering bright and cheerful blooms that last from spring until frost.
Known for their vibrant orange and yellow hues, marigolds are not only affordable but also incredibly easy to grow. They thrive in sunny spots and are resistant to most pests, making them a low-maintenance choice for beginners.
Aside from their aesthetic appeal, marigolds are known to deter pests like nematodes and aphids, protecting your garden naturally. Plant them in borders or containers for vibrant color all season long.
2. Zinnia
Zinnias burst with color and are perfect for adding a pop of brightness to any garden.
These resilient flowers are available in a variety of vibrant shades, including pink, red, orange, and yellow. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, making them an excellent choice for summer gardens.
Zinnias are also great for attracting butterflies, providing both beauty and ecological benefits. With their long-lasting blooms, zinnias will keep your garden lively throughout the growing season. Consider planting them in clusters for a vibrant display.
3. Petunia
Petunias are a versatile and colorful addition to any garden, offering a long blooming season from spring to fall.
These flowers come in a variety of colors, including purple, pink, and white, and can be used in hanging baskets, containers, or garden beds. Petunias thrive in full sun and need regular watering to ensure continuous blooms.
Their cascading growth habit makes them an excellent choice for adding visual interest to vertical spaces. Mix different colors for a vibrant, eye-catching display that enhances any outdoor area.
4. Cosmos
Cosmos are known for their delicate, daisy-like flowers and feathery foliage, adding a touch of elegance to any garden.
These easy-to-grow annuals thrive in full sun and require minimal care, making them perfect for novice gardeners. Available in shades of pink, white, and maroon, cosmos attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, enhancing your garden’s biodiversity.
Cosmos are ideal for creating a wildflower garden look. Simply scatter seeds and watch them grow, ensuring your garden is full of life and color throughout the summer.
5. Snapdragon
Snapdragons are a charming addition to any garden, with their tall spikes and unique dragon-like blooms.
Available in shades of yellow, pink, red, and white, they provide vertical interest and are perfect for garden borders or cutting gardens. Snapdragons prefer cooler weather and do well in full sun to partial shade.
To prolong blooming, deadhead regularly, and enjoy their vibrant colors well into the fall. Their striking appearance and diverse color palette make snapdragons a favorite among flower enthusiasts.
6. Alyssum
Alyssum, known for its sweet fragrance and delicate blooms, is an excellent choice for ground cover.
These tiny flowers come in clusters of white, pink, or purple and thrive in sunny areas with well-drained soil. Alyssum is perfect for edging garden beds, filling in gaps, or cascading over container edges, creating a carpet of color.
Their sweet scent attracts pollinators, making them a beneficial addition to any garden. Easy to grow and maintain, alyssum ensures your garden remains colorful and fragrant throughout the growing season.
7. Begonia
Begonias are beloved for their vibrant blooms and versatility, thriving in shady spots where many flowers won’t.
With a wide range of colors including red, orange, and pink, begonias can brighten any dim garden area. They’re ideal for containers, hanging baskets, or shaded garden beds that receive indirect sunlight.
Begonias are also low-maintenance, requiring minimal care beyond regular watering. Their lush foliage and striking flowers make them a popular choice for gardeners looking to add color to less sunny spaces.
8. Pansy
Pansies are little wonders that bring a burst of color to your garden, especially during cooler months.
These hardy flowers come in a wide array of colors including purple, yellow, and blue, and can withstand light frost, making them perfect for fall and spring gardens. Plant pansies in well-drained soil and partial to full sun.
Their cheerful “faces” add whimsy to any garden, and they’re great for containers or garden borders. Regular deadheading will encourage prolonged blooming, ensuring vibrant displays.
9. Nasturtium
Nasturtiums are a delightful addition to any garden, known for their peppery-tasting leaves and vibrant flowers.
These easy-to-grow plants thrive in poor to average soil and full sun, making them perfect for novice gardeners. The flowers come in shades of orange, red, and yellow, providing a splash of color.
Nasturtiums are not only ornamental but also edible, with both leaves and flowers adding zest to salads. They can be grown in containers, as ground cover, or trained to climb, offering versatility and beauty.
10. Morning Glory
Morning glories are a classic choice for adding vertical interest, with their stunning trumpet-shaped flowers.
These vigorous climbers grow quickly in full sun and well-drained soil, covering trellises, fences, and walls with ease. The flowers open in the morning, showcasing colors like blue, purple, and pink before closing in the afternoon.
Morning glories are perfect for creating a lush, colorful backdrop in your garden. Regular watering will keep them thriving, and their rapid growth makes them a favorite for gardeners seeking quick results.
11. Lobelia
Lobelia is a stunning choice for adding cool tones to your garden palette, with its beautiful blue and purple flowers.
These plants thrive in full sun to partial shade and prefer moist, well-drained soil. Lobelia is ideal for hanging baskets, window boxes, or as an edging plant in flower beds.
The delicate blooms create a cascading effect that’s both soothing and visually appealing. Easy to care for, lobelia ensures your garden has a touch of elegance and calm throughout the growing season.
12. Lamb’s Ear
Lamb’s Ear is beloved for its soft, velvety leaves and its ability to add texture to garden borders. This plant’s silver foliage creates a striking contrast with green plants and colorful blooms. It’s drought-tolerant once established, making it a great choice for dry climates.
Plant Lamb’s Ear in sunny spots where it can spread and form a dense mat. Its low-growing habit makes it perfect for edging pathways or filling in gaps. Plus, children love to touch its soft leaves, adding an interactive element to your garden.
13. Ageratum
Ageratum, with its fluffy blue blooms, adds texture and color to any garden setting.
These compact plants are perfect for borders, container gardening, or filler plants in flower beds. Ageratum prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.
Their long-lasting blooms are a favorite among butterflies, adding ecological value to their aesthetic appeal. Easy to grow and maintain, ageratum provides continuous color throughout the summer, making it a great choice for a vibrant, textured garden.
14. Impatiens
Impatiens are perfect for shady spots where other plants might struggle, offering colorful blooms that brighten up any area.
These plants come in a variety of shades, including pink, red, and white, and thrive in moist, well-drained soil. Ideal for garden beds, containers, or window boxes, impatiens provide lush, vibrant displays.
Their ability to flourish in low-light conditions makes them a staple for shaded gardens. With regular watering, impatiens will bloom continuously, adding life and color to your shady spaces.
15. Sweet Pea
Sweet peas are beloved for their delightful fragrance and charming, colorful blooms.
These climbing plants are ideal for trellises, fences, or arches, bringing a romantic touch to any garden setting. Sweet peas prefer full sun and well-drained soil, requiring regular watering to thrive.
Their pastel-colored flowers make lovely cut flowers, adding beauty indoors. Easy to grow from seeds, sweet peas are perfect for gardeners looking to add both scent and color to their garden.
16. Salvia
Salvias are a vibrant addition to any garden, known for their striking spiky blooms and aromatic foliage.
Available in a variety of colors, most notably red and blue, salvias thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. These drought-tolerant plants are perfect for attracting pollinators like hummingbirds and bees.
Salvias require minimal care, making them a great choice for busy gardeners. Their bold colors and unique flower spikes add vertical interest and texture to mixed borders and garden beds.
17. Verbena
Verbena is a versatile and hardy plant, perfect for adding continuous color to your garden.
With vibrant shades of pink, purple, and red, verbena thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s ideal for borders, hanging baskets, or as a ground cover, providing flexibility in garden design.
Verbena blooms profusely throughout the summer, attracting butterflies and other pollinators. Regular deadheading encourages more blooms, ensuring your garden stays vibrant and lively. Easy to grow, verbena is a popular choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.
18. Gaillardia
Gaillardias, or blanket flowers, are known for their vibrant, sunset-like blooms and hardy nature.
These drought-tolerant plants thrive in full sun and poor soil, making them perfect for xeriscaping or low-water gardens. With fiery red and orange petals, they add warmth and color to any garden setting.
Gaillardias bloom from early summer until fall, requiring minimal care. Their long-lasting flowers make them a favorite for cut arrangements, and their ability to attract pollinators enhances garden biodiversity.
19. Dusty Miller
Dusty Miller is prized for its striking silvery-gray foliage, providing a unique contrast in any garden.
This low-maintenance plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it a popular choice for borders, containers, or mixed flower beds. Its drought-tolerant nature means it requires minimal watering.
Dusty Miller’s foliage adds texture and interest throughout the growing season, complementing both colorful flowers and other foliage plants. It’s an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a versatile and attractive foliage plant.
20. Yarrow
Yarrow is a resilient and drought-tolerant plant, known for its feathery foliage and flat-topped clusters of flowers.
Available in shades of white, yellow, and pink, yarrow thrives in full sun and poor soil, making it ideal for xeriscaping and low-maintenance gardens. It attracts beneficial insects, promoting a healthy garden ecosystem.
Yarrow’s medicinal properties are well-known, often used in teas and salves. Its ability to withstand harsh conditions while providing beauty and ecological benefits makes it a valuable addition to any garden.
21. Coreopsis
Coreopsis, often called tickseed, is celebrated for its sunny yellow blooms that brighten any garden.
These hardy perennials thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring little maintenance. Coreopsis is perfect for borders, meadows, or wildflower gardens, adding vibrant color and attracting pollinators.
Their long blooming season from early summer to fall ensures continuous garden interest. With regular deadheading, coreopsis will reward you with abundant flowers, making it a favorite for cheerful, low-maintenance gardening.
22. Celosia
Celosia stands out with its unique, feathery plumes that add a striking element to any garden.
Available in bold shades of red, orange, and yellow, celosia thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. These vibrant plants are ideal for borders, containers, or as a statement piece in flower beds.
Celosia’s long-lasting blooms provide texture and color from summer to fall. Easy to care for, these plants attract pollinators and make excellent cut flowers, enhancing both garden and home decor.
23. Dianthus
Dianthus, known for its fragrant blooms and fringed petals, is a charming addition to any garden.
These perennials thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, offering a range of colors from pink to white and red. Dianthus is perfect for borders, rock gardens, or containers, providing versatility in garden design.
Their spicy fragrance and long-lasting blooms make them ideal for cut flower arrangements. Regular deadheading encourages more blooms, ensuring your garden remains vibrant and fragrant throughout the growing season.
24. Portulaca
Portulaca, or moss rose, is loved for its vibrant blooms and ability to thrive in tough conditions.
These sun-loving annuals come in dazzling colors such as pink, orange, and yellow, and prefer sandy, well-drained soil. Portulaca is perfect for rock gardens, containers, or as ground cover in hot, dry areas.
Their succulent foliage and drought tolerance make them low-maintenance, while their bright blooms add a cheerful touch. Portulaca’s resilience and beauty make it a favorite for gardeners looking to add color with minimal effort.