Some like it hot. Whether it's a south-facing balcony or a bed without shade - these ten plants also thrive in the blazing sun.
The sun is an absolute must for plants. Unfortunately, there is also too much of a good thing in this case: In the blazing sun, many plants get sunburnt, wilt or even die. But what would summer be without flowers?
Fortunately, there are also many sun worshipers in the plant kingdom who just can't get enough of the 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.
Tip: A lot of sun and warmth also means a lot of evaporation. Therefore, a soil that stores water well is very important for these plants. Our peat-free Plantura organic potting soil, for example, is ideal for this.
1. Sun Bride
The name says it all: The Sun Bride (Helenium) actually only wants one thing - and that is full of sun. If you offer the plant a place, you won't be disappointed - with its countless yellow flowers, it shines like 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 therefore also perfect for the German garden.
2. Petunia
A classic among balcony plants is the petunia (Petunia). With its beautiful flowers, it enchants every garden from May to October and is therefore a real permanent bloomer. At the same time, there is something for every taste with the large number of types and color variations. Their undemanding and easy-care nature has also helped the petunia to become very popular. If you offer the flower a suitable location, it needs almost no care - as a true sun worshiper, it loves full sun places where it is ideally protected from the rain. You will find out what needs to be considered when caring for petuniashere.
3. Hussar buttons
No matter whether in a bed, in a bucket or on the balcony - the hussar's button (Sanvitalia procumbens) always cuts a fine figure. It tolerates the blazing sun in particular very well and then shines in all its glory. With its numerous, bright yellow flowers, the Husarenköpfchen is a real feast for the eyes. But it's not just its beauty that inspires many: the Husarenköpfchen is also characterized by its robustness and easy-care nature, making it perfect for beginners.
4. Citrus Tree
Previously, citrus plants (Citrus) like the orange (Citrus x sinensis), lemon (Citrus x limon ) or lime (Citrus x aurantiifolia) only reserved for the nobility and the rich, after all their care was time-consuming and expensive. Today, however, the exotic fruits can also be found in more and more hobby gardens - as pot plants, the trees transform your terrace or balcony into an exotic paradise in no time at all. The right location is particularly important for citrus trees of all kinds: especially in summer, lemons, oranges and co love the blazing sun and can bathe in the sunlight from morning to evening. In winter, on the other hand, a place in the house is appropriate - the icy temperatures in Germany are usually not tolerated by citrus plants.
5. Geranium
It is and remains the undefeated queen of balcony plants: the geranium (Pelargonium). With a large selection of varieties and variations, there is almost nothing that does not exist when it comes to the beautiful flower. Among the geraniums you can find both standing and hanging varieties and almost all flower colors from pure white to strong pink. The geranium originally comes from South Africa and therefore tolerates heat and drought very well with good care - no wonder that it is ideal for a place in the blazing sun. Here you can find out how to care for geraniums and what you should know when planting geraniums.
6. Paprika and Chili
Not only flowers thriveMagnificent in full sun - paprika and chili (Capsicum) also like full sun best. Since chillies and peppers belong to the same plant genus, they are very similar in terms of both location and care. Ideally, both plants are therefore planted in front of a south-facing wall, where they can take full advantage of the sun's rays. However, anyone who thinks that the chili plant with its heat is only something for die-hards is wrong: with over 3000 types of chili, from mild to fiery, there is the right specimen for every taste.
7. Gladiolus
When the majestic gladioli (Gladiolus) start blooming in July, they quickly attract everyone's attention. The gladiolus grows up to one and a half meters high and is particularly impressive with its splendor of beautiful flowers, which 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 quickly forms. As a summer flower, the gladiolus loves the blazing sun and can easily tolerate a full sun spot in the garden. However, the plant should hibernate indoors as it is particularly sensitive to frost. Find out more about overwintering gladioli here. However, the gladiolus has a high potassium requirement - the Plantura organic tomato fertilizer can remedy this.
8. Lantana
Tired of the same boring potted plants? Then the Lantana (Lantana camara) might be just the thing for you. As the name suggests, the lantana has a very special ability: Its flowers change color over time and can, for example, change from a delicate yellow when they bloom to a carmine red in autumn. The lantana thrives particularly well if it is allowed to grow in a sunny location - preferably in full sun.
9. Globe Thistle
The globe thistle (Echinops ritro) is definitely not a wallflower: With its extravagant spherical flowers, which almost seem to float above the ground, it is a real eye-catcher in the bed and stands in the in no way after classic garden flowers. But not only people are fascinated by the unique beauty of theGlobe thistle - bees and other beneficial insects also like to fly at the enchanting flowers. Despite its extravagant appearance, the globe thistle does not need a lot of care: if you offer it a place with plenty of sunshine, the plant is completely satisfied.
10. Lavender
Bright sunshine and lavender fields as far as the eye can see - for many, lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the epitome of a summer in Provence. In Germany, too, lavender loves bright sunshine and can therefore be planted in full sun without a guilty conscience. Here he not only delights the hobby gardener with his beautiful violet flowers, but also with his intense fragrance, which makes him one of the medicinal plants. In addition, thanks to the scent, lavender is a plant against mosquitoes.
If you're not blessed with lots of sunshine but instead have a shady garden, check out this article for the right plants for the shade.