10 Beginner-Friendly Plants for New Gardeners

Gardening offers more than just a harvest of fresh produce. Growing your own plants, whether for culinary use or simply for their aesthetic value, has a positive impact on your well-being. The physical act of gardening promotes fitness, while being surrounded by nature has been proven to lower stress. Ready to get your hands dirty and start cultivating your own food? Check out these 10 low-maintenance plants that don't require an expert gardener’s skillset.

1. Pansies

These robust flowers are nearly indestructible – in most parts of the U.S., pansies are tough enough to endure the cold of winter. There are over 300 different varieties of pansies, with several bred specifically to thrive in extremely hot or cold climates.

The best time to plant pansies is when the soil temperature is between 50° and 60°F (August for northern areas to October in the south), but you can also plant them in early spring. You can buy fully grown plants from most garden centers and plant them directly in the ground. If you are planting from seeds, space them 7 to 12 inches apart in moist soil.

In colder climates, pansies perform best in full sunlight. For warmer regions like Georgia or Texas, provide them with some shade—arrange them to receive 3 to 4 hours of shade daily, and ensure they get an inch of water each week.

2. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are one of the most common plants you’ll encounter in home gardens across America. To successfully germinate tomato seeds, the soil temperature needs to remain between 65° and 80°F. You should plant the seeds about six to eight weeks before your area's expected last frost. Given this, it's likely you'll need to start them indoors or purchase starter plants from a nearby garden center.

Start by preparing one container for every two seeds. While you can grow all your seeds in one pot, it will make transplanting trickier later on. Plastic or Styrofoam cups are a great option. Poke a few small holes at the bottom for drainage, and fill the cups with quality potting mix. Plant the seeds about a quarter-inch deep, mist the soil until it’s moist (not soggy), and keep the temperature between 70° and 80°F. Within 10 days, the seeds will sprout. Place the cups in a south-facing window or use artificial grow lights if your room doesn’t have windows for sufficient sunlight.

When the seedlings have developed four leaves, move them to larger pots, ideally 4 to 6 inches high. Then, prepare a sunny spot in your garden. A week before the final frost, loosen the soil by tilling it. Dig a trench 6 to 8 inches deep. Once the last frost has passed and the ground is warm, add 3 inches of compost followed by extra soil. Finally, transplant your seedlings into the trench.

Tomatoes, much like pansies, come in a wide range of varieties, offering fruits in various shapes and sizes. Depending on the specific variety you're cultivating, the young plants should be spaced anywhere from 12 to 48 inches apart. To get the most accurate spacing, refer to the seed packet or consult a local gardening shop. For beginners, it’s advisable to select varieties that produce smaller fruits, such as cherry tomatoes. Larger fruits may tend to rot prematurely if left unsupported, so you’ll need to provide stakes or cages for support. This extra step is simple but necessary.

3. Basil

Basil and tomatoes are a perfect pairing in spaghetti sauces, and in the garden, they might even benefit each other’s growth. Many gardeners, both amateur and professional, believe that basil acts as a natural repellent, keeping pests away that could harm the herb or the tomato plants. There’s also speculation that growing them near each other can enhance the flavor of the tomatoes, making them even better.

Basil grown in the garden thrives on plenty of sunlight, so it’s important to plant it in a spot where it can soak up the rays. For the best results, sow the seeds at least 12 inches apart, around six weeks before the last frost of the season. Make sure to water them lightly whenever the soil begins to dry out, and soon you’ll have a flourishing plant that will provide fresh, flavorful leaves all summer long. Mangia!

4. Mint

Mint, another robust herb, is incredibly simple to grow. In fact, it thrives so well outdoors that the biggest issue gardeners face is preventing it from overtaking the entire garden. But before we get into that, let’s focus on the basics. Mint prefers damp soil with good drainage and grows best in an area that enjoys some shade during the day.

Under ideal conditions, mint’s unique stems—referred to as 'runners'—stretch out in all directions. If left unchecked, these runners can quickly overtake every inch of available space, sometimes even conquering entire lawns. To prevent this, many gardeners choose to grow their mint in clay pots, which prevent the roots from spreading. Alternatively, if you're planning to plant mint in a mixed-species garden, consider placing it inside a long, tubular container with an open bottom and thick walls. A vertical 18-inch metal stove pipe, with its top inch above the soil surface, would work perfectly. Other effective barriers include patio edges and driveways, which can act as natural root boundaries.

5. Sunflowers

Whether you're after their seeds or simply enjoy their bright appearance, sunflowers are an excellent choice for novice gardeners. They require minimal fertilizing, thrive in nearly all types of soil (except overly soggy conditions), and are remarkably resilient in the face of drought.

As the name suggests, sunflowers require plenty of direct, unobstructed sunlight. Be sure to plant them in an open area, and keep a generous distance between them and any other plants in your garden. Tall sunflowers, when planted too close to other crops, can cast unwanted shade that may hinder the growth of neighboring vegetables.

To begin, wait until the last frost of spring has passed before planting your seeds in 1-inch deep holes. For optimal growth, space the seeds at least 6 inches apart; for larger sunflower varieties, space them 24 inches apart. Be sure to water them generously after planting.

6. Radishes

Radishes are a perfect crop for cooler weather, thriving in the chilly spring and autumn months. Plant the seeds at least an inch apart, in half an inch of loose, moist, well-lit soil. Radishes grow quickly: some varieties are ready for harvest in as little as 22 days, though others may require up to 70 days. Once the plants start sprouting leaves, thin the rows by removing every other radish. You can plant a fresh row in early spring or late summer, depending on when you plan to harvest your veggies.

7. Potatoes

The average American consumes more than 100 pounds of these delicious tubers each year. When it comes to growing potatoes, there's no need for seeds. The key is to find a potato tuber with a few buds that are about a quarter to a third of an inch long. Cut the potato into sections, ensuring each piece has at least one bud. Store the cut pieces at room temperature for 48 to 72 hours before moving on to the next steps.

If you have plenty of space, you can plant potatoes in large rows across your backyard. (For guidance on how to do this, see here.) However, if you’re short on space, try growing potatoes in bottomless half-bushel baskets. Another option, as explained by Janice Stillman from the Old Farmer’s Almanac in this video, is using a trash can with holes drilled in the bottom as an effective container for potato cultivation.

To get started, plant your potatoes shortly after the last spring frost. Position your barrel or basket in a sunny spot, then fill it with loamy potting soil. Bury the potato chunks about 2 to 4 inches deep and water them with an inch of water weekly. By midsummer, they’ll be ready for harvest. Homemade French fries or mashed potatoes are on the way!

8. Spinach

Popeye’s favorite veggie is also one of the best crops for cold weather gardening. About four to six weeks before the last frost in your area, begin by priming the seeds: Soak them in water for 24 hours, then allow them to dry on a paper towel for a day or two. Next, place the seeds in an airtight zip-lock bag and store them in a cool room for up to one week. After the week is up, sow the seeds in an inch of tilled soil that is below 70°F. Harvest the spinach leaves once they reach your desired size.

9. Marigolds

When it comes to growing flowers, marigolds are considered nearly foolproof. Plant their seeds only after the last spring frost has passed. They can thrive in various bedding types, though they prefer moist, well-drained soil. Most marigold lovers buy their seeds in packets, which come with helpful instructions on spacing and other essential care tips. Simply cover the seeds lightly with soil, ensure it doesn’t dry out too much, and thin out seedlings as necessary. With minimal effort, you'll be rewarded with bright, cheerful blooms that will last well into the football season.

10. Zucchinis

Zucchinis are not only incredibly easy to grow, but they’re also remarkably abundant. Within just a few weeks, your garden will be overflowing with enough produce to feed a small army. To start, dig shallow, one-inch-deep holes in the soil sometime between early spring and midsummer (though typically, one or two plants should suffice). Space the holes about 3 feet apart, and place two or three seeds in each one. Keep the soil warm and consistently moist (regular mulching will help maintain this). After six to eight weeks, you’ll be ready to harvest. Since zucchinis continue to grow to replace the harvested ones, you’ll soon have an impressive yield. A single plant can yield up to 10 pounds of zucchinis in just one season.

This article was originally published in 2017; it has since been updated for 2022.