I Leave These Plants in the Ground and They Come Back Better

Not all plants need to be dug up, divided, or babied every year. In fact, some of the best performers in my garden come back stronger the longer I leave them alone.

These hardy, low-maintenance favorites thrive with time—and they reward patience with even bigger blooms and better growth each season.

Rhubarb

Rhubarb becomes more productive the longer it stays put. Give it a dedicated spot and you’ll have thick, tart stalks every spring for pies and preserves.

Chives

These perennial herbs get fuller each year and offer both flavor and beauty. Leave them alone and they’ll even reward you with cheerful purple flowers.

Asparagus

Once established, asparagus produces reliably for decades. Don’t disturb the roots—instead, mulch well and let it rest each winter.

Jerusalem Artichokes (Sunchokes)

These knobby tubers multiply underground and send up tall, sunflower-like stalks each year. Harvest a few and leave the rest for a better yield next season.

Daylilies

Tough and cheerful, daylilies spread slowly and bloom more abundantly the longer they’re left alone. A true “plant it and forget it” favorite.

Horseradish

This spicy root thrives on neglect. The longer it stays in the ground, the more intense the flavor—just dig a bit each year and leave the rest.

Bee Balm (Monarda)

Once it settles in, bee balm fills in beautifully year after year. It attracts pollinators, resists deer, and gets bushier the longer it’s left undisturbed.

Yarrow

This hardy perennial spreads politely and offers more blooms with each season. Its fern-like leaves and clusters of flowers only improve with time.

Comfrey

Comfrey is a powerhouse perennial that builds soil and provides biomass. Once established, it returns each year more vigorous than before.

Peonies

Peonies dislike being moved. Leave them where they are and they’ll reward you with bigger, more spectacular blooms for decades.

Walking Onions (Egyptian Onions)

These unusual onions "walk" by replanting themselves. Leave them alone and they’ll continue to multiply and thrive with minimal care.

Some plants thrive best when left alone, rewarding you with strong roots, bold blooms, and less work. For a low-maintenance garden that improves over time, these are the ones to grow.