5 Low-Maintenance Plants Perfect for Central Ohio Gardens

If you’re looking to create a beautiful yard without the constant upkeep, you’re not alone. For homeowners and gardening enthusiasts in Central Ohio, choosing low-maintenance plants is a smart way to enjoy a thriving landscape with minimal effort. Thanks to Central Ohio’s USDA Hardiness Zones 6a–6b, you have plenty of options for easy-care perennials and native plants that flourish in our climate.

Whether you’re a beginner gardener or just want more time to relax and less time weeding, here are five of the best low-maintenance plants for Ohio gardens.

1. Coneflower (Echinacea)
Why it’s great: A favorite among Ohio native plants, coneflowers bring long-lasting color and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. These hardy perennials are perfect for low-maintenance landscaping in Central Ohio.

• Sunlight: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained
• Bonus: Drought-tolerant and deer-resistant

2. Hosta
Why it’s great: Hostas are shade-loving plants ideal for areas under trees or on the north side of your home. With minimal care, they offer lush, attractive foliage season after season.

• Sunlight: Partial to full shade
• Soil: Moist, well-drained
• Bonus: Virtually carefree once established

3. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
Why it’s great: These golden blooms are tough, long-lasting, and perfect for sunny beds. They’re one of the best easy perennials for Central Ohio gardens.

• Sunlight: Full sun
• Soil: Adaptable, tolerates clay
• Bonus: Attracts butterflies and birds

4. Daylilies (Hemerocallis)
Why it’s great: With vibrant blooms and strong adaptability, daylilies are excellent for low-maintenance flower beds in Ohio. They spread easily and return every year with little intervention.

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Most types, including clay
• Bonus: Pest and disease resistant

5. Sedum (Stonecrop)
Why it’s great: Sedum is a drought-tolerant ground cover that thrives in poor soil and full sun. Ideal for Central Ohio rock gardens or borders, it’s virtually indestructible once established.

• Sunlight: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained
• Bonus: Attracts pollinators and helps control erosion

Final Tips for Central Ohio Gardeners:

• Mulch smart: Mulch helps conserve moisture and keep weeds at bay—an easy win for low-maintenance landscaping.
• Water wisely: Once established, these plants need very little watering.
• Plant local: Native Ohio plants like coneflowers and black-eyed susans are more resilient to local pests and weather patterns.

By choosing the right plants, you can enjoy a colorful, hardy landscape that requires less work and more enjoyment. These low-maintenance landscaping ideas are perfect for busy homeowners, beginner gardeners, or anyone who wants a hassle-free outdoor space.