- Topic: Best plants for full sun (2026 guide)
- Best for: Hot yards, sunny borders, patio pots, pollinator beds
- Sun needs: 6–8+ hours of direct sun
- Plant types: Flowering annuals, perennials, foliage plants
- Updated: 2026
The best plants for full sun can handle strong light and heat without fading fast. They also keep looking good when your yard gets dry between waterings.
This 2026 guide lists sun-ready picks for beds and containers. You’ll also get quick care notes, typical sizes, and a comparison table with price ranges.
| Plant | Type | Best Use | Water Needs | Typical Size | Estimated Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heart to Heart Caladium | Foliage plant | Borders, pots, color blocks | Medium | 12–24 in tall | $8–$18 |
| Sunstar Pentas | Flowering annual (often grown as annual) | Pollinator beds, containers | Medium | 18–22 in tall | $6–$15 |
| Whirlwind Fan Flower (Scaevola) | Flowering annual | Pots, edging, ground cover | Low–Medium | 8–14 in tall | $5–$14 |
| Diamond Snow Euphorbia | Flowering annual | Fillers for pots, borders | Low–Medium | 12–18 in tall | $6–$16 |
| Suncible Yellow Helianthus | Sunflower annual | Back of beds, screening | Medium | 24–36 in tall | $5–$12 |
| Sweet Caroline Ipomoea | Foliage vine | Spillers, ground cover | Medium | 6–16 in tall (spreads) | $5–$15 |
| Sweet Caroline Upside | Climbing vine | Trellis, fence, tall pots | Medium | 3–6 ft tall | $6–$16 |
Best Foliage Choice for Hot Sunny Beds
Heart to Heart Caladium
If you want leaf color that stands out, caladium is a strong pick. Many newer types take more sun than older shade-only caladiums, especially when they get steady moisture.
Plant caladium after the soil warms up. In the first weeks, water a bit more often so the roots settle in.
Best Flowering Pick for Pollinators
Sunstar Pentas
Pentas handle heat well and keep blooming through long sunny weeks. They also bring in butterflies and bees, which helps the rest of your garden.
Give pentas a spot with good drainage. If your soil is heavy, mixing in compost helps the roots stay healthy.
Best Container Spiller for Strong Sun
Whirlwind Fan Flower (Scaevola)
Fan flower is a good pick for pots and edging because it keeps blooming even when it gets hot. It also handles lower humidity better than many soft-stem flowers.
Use it where it can trail, like the edge of a raised bed or a patio container. Water when the top soil feels dry, then let it drain fully.
Best White “Filler” Plant for Pots
Diamond Snow Euphorbia
This euphorbia works as a light, airy plant that blends with almost any color combo. It keeps flowering through the season and usually stays neat without much work.
It’s also a smart pick if you want a clean look in mixed pots. For container combos, pairing it with leafy plants like sweet potato vine makes the white blooms pop.
Best Sunflower for Long Bloom Time
Suncible Yellow Helianthus
If you want sunflowers that keep going, this type can bloom for a long stretch. The plant branches and keeps putting out fresh flowers without constant cutting.
Use it at the back of a bed, along a fence, or as a seasonal screen. Since it grows taller, give it space so it doesn’t shade smaller plants.
Best Ground Cover Vine for Sun
Sweet Caroline Ipomoea (Sweet Potato Vine)
Sweet potato vine is grown for leaves, not flowers. It fills gaps fast, works as a spiller in pots, and can cover bare spots in beds.
If you’re building a front-yard planting plan, you can blend this with shrubs and small trees for layers. For bigger structure ideas, see best trees for front yard.
Best Climbing Vine for Sunny Trellises
Sweet Caroline Upside
This variety climbs instead of only trailing. It can wrap up a trellis or fence in one season, which makes it great for adding height without woodwork.
If you like a clean “front of house” look, use it on a simple obelisk in a large pot near the entry. You can also match it with shrubs that hold shape year-round, like those in best evergreen shrubs for front of house.
How to Pick Plants That Handle Full Sun
Start by checking how many hours of direct sun your space gets. “Full sun” usually means at least 6 hours, but many spots hit 8+ hours in summer.
Next, match plants to your watering style. If you miss a day, choose tougher picks like fan flower or euphorbia. If you can water often, caladium and pentas can look great.
Soil also matters. If your beds bake hard in summer, adding compost helps moisture stay longer. For flower beds where you also grow roses, this guide can help: best soil for roses.
FAQs
A: Pentas, fan flower, euphorbia, and many sunflowers handle heat well. Sweet potato vine also does well with regular watering.
A: Full sun usually means 6–8 hours of direct sunlight each day.
A: Some newer caladium types can take more sun, especially with steady moisture. In very harsh afternoon sun, a bit of shade can help.
A: Fan flower and euphorbia are easy container picks. They handle heat and don’t need complex care.
A: Pentas and sunflowers are strong choices because they attract bees and butterflies.
DISCLAIMER:
This blog post is for informational purposes only. We make every effort to provide accurate, current, and well-sourced information, but we cannot guarantee its completeness or absolute accuracy.
All images, videos, and logos used on bestfordaily.com are the property of their respective owners. We aim to credit and reference them appropriately. If you are the rightful owner and wish to have your image, video, or logo removed, please get in touch with us.
