11 Low-Maintenance Plants That Thrive in Neglected Corners

Every garden has those out-of-sight spots that get little love—under trees, behind sheds, or in awkward side yards. But that doesn’t mean they have to stay bare or boring.

These 11 plants are practically unbothered by shade, drought, poor soil, or a little neglect. Just plant them and let them handle the rest.

Liriope (Lilyturf)

Tough as nails and tolerant of shade, drought, and foot traffic, liriope forms tidy clumps with grassy leaves and tiny purple flower spikes.

Vinca Minor (Periwinkle)

This low-spreading ground cover thrives in dry shade and spreads quickly without fuss. Its small blue blooms brighten even the darkest corners.

Ajuga (Bugleweed)

A ground cover with glossy leaves and blue flower spikes, ajuga handles poor soil and light foot traffic with ease. Great for filling gaps and crowding out weeds.

Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’

This hardy succulent thrives on neglect. It needs little water, handles heat, and still produces bold pink blooms that fade to bronze in fall.

Ferns (like Autumn Fern or Japanese Painted Fern)

Perfect for shady, forgotten spaces, these ferns add soft texture and can survive with minimal watering once established.

Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)

With soft, silvery foliage and a strong tolerance for drought and poor soil, lamb’s ear adds texture and charm to tough spots.

Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum)

This low-growing perennial has silver leaves and bright white blooms. It spreads fast in poor soil and dry areas and thrives with little care.

Hostas

Once planted, hostas are nearly bulletproof. They fill in shady corners beautifully and require very little attention aside from occasional watering.

Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra)

A graceful, arching grass that adds movement and light to dark corners. It’s slow-growing but thrives with almost no maintenance.

Golden Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’)

This low, trailing plant brings bright chartreuse color to shady, damp corners and is practically unstoppable once established.

Coral Bells (Heuchera)

Known for their colorful foliage and shade tolerance, coral bells add visual interest without demanding care or perfect soil.

You don’t need to fuss over every inch of your yard. These tough, adaptable plants are made for the forgotten, neglected spots and will thrive with little to no upkeep. Just plant them once—and let them quietly do the heavy lifting.