Sun-Loving Container Flowers For Zone 6 Gardens

Flowers that grow in pots in hot sun zone 6 include:

- Angelonia, also known as summer snapdragon

- Lantana

- Mandevilla

- Zinnia

- Marigolds

- Hibiscus

- Canna

- Calibrachoa

- Geraniums

- SunPatiens

- Succulents

- Pentas

- Salvia

- Portulaca

Succulents and cacti

Agave

Agave is a slow-growing succulent with large, spiky-margined leaves and long-lasting bell-shaped flowers in white, yellow, and green. They are low maintenance and can be grown either in the ground or in containers. Agave thrives in full sun to light shade and is suitable for zone 5 to zone 11.

Aloe

Aloe is a large and popular genus that includes small dwarf species and large tree-like species that can grow up to 30 feet tall. They have thick, fleshy, green to bluish-grey-green leaves. Aloe does well in full sun and can be planted outdoors in large containers or as landscape plants. Most aloe species are low maintenance and can tolerate mild frost. They are suitable for zone 9 and above.

Opuntia (Prickly Pear Cactus)

Opuntia, commonly known as Prickly Pear, is a slow-growing cactus and is the largest species in the cactus family. It is easy to grow and recognised by its round, flattened joints called pads. Opuntia can be grown in containers to control its growth and does well in full sun to partial shade. It is suitable for zone 4 to zone 11.

Echinocereus (White Sands Claret Cup Cactus)

Echinocereus is a cold-hardy cactus native to the mountains of northern Mexico and the western United States. It produces showy flowers and can tolerate temperatures as low as -30°F. Echinocereus thrives in full sun and requires excellent drainage. It is suitable for zone 6 and above.

Senecio Mandraliscae (Blue Chalk Sticks)

Blue Chalk Sticks are small, evergreen succulents with a blue-green, silvery hue. They branch and spread from the base, making them ideal for ground cover or containers. These succulents prefer full sun or bright light to achieve their true colour potential. They are suitable for zone 9 to zone 11.

When growing succulents and cacti in hot sun conditions, it is important to provide adequate drainage and protect them from excessive sun exposure, as some species may suffer from sun damage.

Annuals and perennials

Annual Plants for Full Sun

• Caladiums are vigorous and can perform well in both the North and South. They are perfect for climates with sweltering summer heat. Keeping the soil moist will help them thrive in more sun.
• Pentas lanceolata, or Egyptian star flower, has extra-large flower clusters that are excellent for bedding and container plants in hot climates. They are medium-sized varieties that can be planted in the middle of beds.
• Scaevola, or fan flower, loves heat and doesn't mind low humidity or moderate drought.
• Suncredible Helianthus, or sunflower, is an ever-blooming sunflower with a tall, well-branched form that makes it perfect for the back of the bed or planted as an annual screen.
• Sweet Caroline Ipomoea, or sweet potato vine, offers rich foliage colours, a variety of leaf shapes, good vigour and a well-behaved habit.
• Lantana camara is a common tropical and arid climate flower that blooms year-round in bright colours and thrives in neglect and heat.
• Thunbergia erecta, or bush clock vine, is a shrub native to Africa. It comes in shades of violet, purple, and yellow and is considered one of the best flowering bushes for full sun.
• Mandevilla sanderi is a fast-growing and heat-resistant tropical climber that blooms heavily.
• Petunia × atkinsiana, or petunias, love sun and heat and are one of the most beautiful and popular annual flowers.
• Zinnias are cheery blooms that come in almost every colour of the rainbow and can grow from a few inches to several feet tall.

Sun-Loving Perennials

• Echinacea, or coneflower, has large flowers with horizontally held petals and a long bloom time, creating tremendous beauty in your landscape.
• Hibiscus is a well-known, heat-tolerant perennial that survives zone 9 summers and overwinters well in frigid zone 4.
• Perennial salvia includes four fantastic cultivars of Salvia nemorosa, which are excellent candidates for perennial gardens and mixed borders due to their good heat and cold tolerance.
• Rock 'N Low Sedum, or stonecrop, makes fantastic groundcovers with interesting, colourful foliage and summertime blooms that attract pollinating bees and butterflies.
• Rock 'N Grow Sedum has a taller, more upright clumping shape than Rock 'N Low varieties and blooms later in the season.
• Rock 'N Round Sedum includes shorter, tight dome-shaped, non-spreading varieties that grow about twice as wide as they are tall.
• Blue salvia is a wonderful, heat-and-drought-tolerant plant with purple-blue flowers that also attract pollinators.

Tropical plants

Canna

Canna, also known as canna lily, is a tropical plant with large, variegated leaves and glowing flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, and pink. They are often found near water, so they require moist, well-drained soil to thrive. With their dramatic foliage and bright blooms, cannas can be a stunning addition to any sunny garden or poolside container.

Caladium

Caladiums are tropical plants known for their colourful and constantly changing leaves, offering a kaleidoscope of patterns. They are perfect for adding a touch of the tropics to your garden, with their wide range of colours and sun tolerance. Caladiums can be grown in both landscapes and containers, making them a versatile choice for any garden.

Elephant's Ear

Elephant's Ear, or Colocasia, is a tropical plant with large, deep green leaves that can grow up to 3-5 feet tall. They are well-suited for cold winter climates and can be grown as perennials in warm winter climates. These plants can spread by runners or remain as a clump, making them a versatile choice for any garden.

Hibiscus

Hibiscus is a classic tropical plant with large, long-lasting, and richly hued flowers that pop against deep green, glossy foliage. The Jazzy Jewel series, in particular, offers a wide range of colours and is known for its prolific flowering. Hibiscus thrives in full sun and can grow up to 5 feet tall, making it a perfect choice for a tropical container garden.

Mandevilla

Mandevilla is a fast-growing tropical vine that produces large, trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of red, white, and pink. It is an ideal choice for adding colour to hot and sunny climates. Mandevilla prefers full sun and will bloom profusely until the weather cools in the fall. It can be grown in well-drained soil and supported by a trellis or wire for climbing.

Lantana

Lantana is a tropical plant with multicoloured flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, and white. It is known for its ability to thrive in sunny, hot, and dry conditions. Many varieties of lantana are perennial in USDA Zones 8 and up, and they can be planted in well-drained soil with regular watering to establish their roots.

These tropical plants can bring a vibrant and exotic touch to your garden, even in the hot sun of zone 6. With their bright colours, dramatic foliage, and sun-loving nature, they are perfect for creating a tropical oasis in your outdoor space.

Herbs

Basil

A beloved Italian herb, basil grows best in full sun and fertile, moist soil. It can tolerate short periods of drought once its root system is established, about six weeks after sowing. Depending on the variety, basil can grow up to 2 feet tall. It is a good companion to other herbs such as parsley and thyme when grown in a pot that holds at least 5 gallons of soil. For small containers, choose a compact variety such as 'Spicy Bush'.

Chives

Chives are grassy, clump-forming perennials with hollow leaves that taste like tiny onions. They are grown for their leaves and fragrant pink-purple edible flowers rather than their bulbs. Chives can tolerate light shade but do best in full sun and well-drained potting soil that's rich in organic matter. They grow well in containers and can reach up to 20 inches tall. Chives are hardy in Zones 3-10, so you can leave them outdoors all year.

Cilantro (Coriander)

Cilantro, also known as coriander, can be used for its tangy leaves or dried, ground seeds. It grows best in the sun but tolerates some shade. Cilantro has a long taproot, so it should be placed in a container at least 12 inches deep. Some varieties can grow up to 2 feet tall.

Tarragon

Tarragon is a classic French herb used to season fish and other dishes. It grows up to 3 feet tall and tolerates drought well, so it shouldn't be overwatered. While it can grow in partial shade, tarragon does best in full sun and well-drained potting mix. It can be grown as a perennial and is hardy in Zones 5-9.

Lavender

Lavender is a bushy perennial shrub that prefers full sun and well-drained potting mix. Keep it on the dry side and avoid fertiliser. Some varieties can reach up to 2 feet tall. Lavender hardiness depends on the variety, but the toughest are hardy in Zones 5-10.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is an old-fashioned favourite that spreads freely and self-sows readily, making it perfect for containers to prevent it from taking over the yard. It can be planted in partial shade or full sun and in moist, rich, well-drained potting mix. As a perennial, it's hardy in Zones 3-10 and can grow up to 2 feet tall.

Lemon Verbena

Lemon verbena is a tropical shrub (hardy in Zones 9-10) commonly grown as an annual in containers. It prefers full sun and can grow up to 3 feet tall.

Marjoram

Marjoram is an oregano relative with a sweeter, milder flavour and aroma. It grows in full sun and well-drained potting mix and can eventually reach up to 2 feet tall. It's perennial in Zones 8-10, so gardeners in colder areas can grow it indoors during winter.

Mint

Mint is a vigorous plant that can become invasive unless confined to a pot. It grows in full sun or partial shade and does well in various soil types and degrees of sunlight, but it produces the best leaves in rich soil. Mint is a perennial, but its hardiness varies by variety. Some plants can stretch up to 2 feet tall.

Oregano

Oregano is an essential ingredient in Mediterranean cuisines. It is a shrubby perennial (hardy in Zones 5-10) that thrives in full sun and well-drained potting mix. The more sun oregano receives, the stronger its flavour. It doesn't like wet soil and will grow up to 2 feet tall.

Rosemary

Rosemary likes hot, dry, sunny spots and can reach up to 3 feet tall. It requires quick-draining soil but is drought-tolerant. Keep the soil moist but never wet when grown indoors.

Sage

Sage is commonly used for seasoning poultry and is perfect for adding structure to container gardens. It grows best in full sun and moist, well-drained potting mix. Most sage varieties are hardy in Zones 4-10 and can grow up to 2 feet tall.

Thyme

Thyme comes in many varieties, but all grow best in full sun and well-drained soil. Thyme doesn't tolerate wet soil, so avoid overwatering. It's hardy in Zones 4-10 and is perfect for small spaces as it only reaches about 10 inches tall.

Vegetables

Zone 6 is characterised by a medium-length growing season and is suited to both warm and cold-weather plants. The last frost date in Zone 6 falls between 1 and 15 May, after which it is safe to plant vegetables outside. Here are some vegetables that can be grown in pots in hot sun in Zone 6:

Full Sun Vegetables

Full sun means 6-8 hours of sunshine per day.

• Tomatoes
• Melons
• Peppers
• Squash
• Cucumbers
• Sweet potatoes
• Corn
• Cowpeas
• Common beans
• Pumpkins
• Okra
• Eggplant
• Hot peppers
• Bell peppers
• Chilli
• Malabar spinach
• New Zealand spinach

Partial Sun Vegetables

Partial sun means 4-6 hours of sunlight per day.

• Root vegetables: Potatoes, beets, and carrots
• Bush beans and summer squash
• Some varieties of bush tomatoes
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Leeks
• Peas
• Radishes
• Rutabaga
• Turnips
• Leafy greens: Lettuce, cabbage, spinach, kale, collard greens, Swiss chard, watercress, arugula, endive

Light Shade Vegetables

Light shade means 2-4 hours of sunlight per day.

• Cool-season vegetables: Asparagus, Brussels sprouts, Swiss chard, radishes, and parsnips
• Leafy vegetables: Lettuce, cabbage, spinach, collard greens, kale, Swiss chard, watercress, arugula, endive

Frequently asked questions