Believe it or not, some plants like to be hot. While most flowers suffer when the thermometer goes up, there are heat-tolerant annuals that thrive in warm temperatures! Before you plant a garden full of our favorite heat-tolerant flowers, learn how to care for them with simple life-extending tips. These plants may be hardy, but they still need some summer loving.
Choose a Large Container
All of these heat-tolerant annuals grow well in containers. If you decide to go that route, choose a good-sized pot since smaller containers dry out more quickly. For an eye-catching container garden, mingle plants that require the same care but differ in color, height, and texture.
Water Frequently
Although these heat-tolerant annuals don't mind the sun, they also like to stay moist, so give them a drink every other day. Stick your finger into the dirt to determine whether your pot needs to be watered. If the dirt is dry, it's time to hydrate. If the soil still feels moist, you can probably wait another day.
Remember: If you rely on rain to care for your plants, the water will most likely hit the leaves and fall off rather than dampen the soil. In other words, don't trust afternoon showers to give your plants a decent water supply—a hose will do a better job.
Remove Past-Their-Prime Flowers
To ensure that your heat-tolerant annuals bloom all season, deadhead any wilted or dead blossoms. This will make room for fresh, new flowers to take their place.
Heat—Tolerant Annuals
Mandevilla
Mandevilla is a tropical vine that promises vertical impact, growing up to 20 feet tall! This towering plant features trumpet-shaped blossoms in shades of white, red, or pink that are showy but not the least bit finicky. Although mandevilla is a heat-tolerant annual, it can be overwintered in your home as long as it's kept in a bright, sunny spot.
Ageratum
One of the easiest heat-tolerant annuals to grow, ageratum can also endure frost. Pair that hardiness with pest-resistant qualities, and this just might be the perfect plant for the beginning gardener. It also brings a beautiful dose of unusual color to your landscape as one of the few plants in the world that blooms a genuine, natural blue.
Scaevola
Sometimes called fan flower, scaevola is a tough annual native to Australia, so it's no wonder this plant can withstand heat and drought. This sun lover produces small, finger-like blossoms that fan out, showing off their vibrant color, which ranges from lavender to blue to white. Scaevola looks gorgeous as a cascading plant from pots, baskets, and window boxes and requires little maintenance. There's no need even to deadhead spent blooms since scaevola self-cleans.
Persian Shield
Native to Myanmar, Persian shield is a leafy plant that thrives in Zones 9 and up and can be overwintered as a houseplant. This captivating plant is usually grown as an annual—it's an ideal centerpiece for a container with its iridescent purple, green, and black foliage. Persian shield is also deer- and rabbit-resistant, so you don't have to worry about the colorful leaves falling victim to wildlife. It prefers full sun in northern areas, but in southern states, it may like a little shade.
Coleus
Coleus puts on a nonstop show throughout the season. There are several types of coleus, ranging from shade- to sun-loving, single to multi-colored leaves, and with different leaf sizes. This easy-to-grow heat-tolerant annual thrives in warm weather as long as the soil is moist. More light equals more saturated leaves.
SunPatiens
SunPatiens are essentially a heat-tolerant annual version of the ever-popular shade impatiens. These flowers are ideal for a sunny container garden and can even be grown as a houseplant in a bright indoor spot. These beauties are a reliable bet if you're looking for sun-loving, heat-tolerant annuals that bloom all summer long. They can even survive frost.
Licorice Plant
Drought-tolerant licorice plant has a soft color and texture, making it a great backdrop to more colorful counterparts in a garden or pot. As a trailing vine, it's a wonderful "spiller" in a container garden, and its fuzzy leaves protect it from pests. This low-maintenance plant may give off the smell of licorice in the hot summer sun, hence its name.