44 Flowers That Thrive In Full Sun
Fact checked by Khara Scheppmann
Sunlight is essential for growing plants because light is necessary for photosynthesis—the process that converts light, carbon dioxide, and water into energy. Plants cannot grow or bloom without the sun. On the other hand, some flowers can't handle a full day of sun in the South. Exposure to too much sunlight can scorch, bleach, or even kill shade plants, which is why you want to select flowers that will thrive in the sunniest areas of your garden.
Southern states are known for intense temperatures. Here, we've rounded up our favorite flowers that thrive in the often blistering sun of Southern climates. They look good in the summer, spring, or fall, as long as the sun shines. Plant them in a container or put them in a beautiful flowerbed to add some color and personality to the garden. No matter how you plant these full-sun flowers, the blooms will be magnificent in the sunshine.
Agapanthus
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Botanical Name: Agapanthus spp.
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Sandy loam
Soil pH: Varies by species
Also called Lily of the Nile, agapanthus actually originates from southern Africa and can be evergreen in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 8 to 11. This sun-loving, summertime bloomer looks striking in a pot on your patio or in a border along pathways. Agapanthus thrives with weekly watering but must have well-draining soil. In frost-free areas, it will continue blooming into fall. A. africanus prefers acidic soil, but other species can handle neutral or slightly alkaline soil.
Allium
Botanical Name: Allium spp.
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Rich, well-drained, sandy loam
Soil pH: 5.5-6.5
These ornamental onions have pollinator-friendly flowers ranging from demure clusters to blooms that look like enormous pom-poms or fireworks. Plant bulbs in fall in rich, well-drained soil (most can be grown in Zones 4-9). They rarely need watering and happily soak up the sun until they bloom in late spring or early summer.
Angelonia
Botanical Name: Angelonia angustifolia
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-draining, rich
Soil pH: 5.5-6.2
This beauty is also known as the summer snapdragon. Not only does it love the sun, but it also only needs to be watered about once a week. It's an excellent choice for hot, sunny spots and can thrive in a container. Angelonia is often grown as an annual but is perennial in Zones 9-11.
Black-Eyed Susan
Botanical Name: Rudbeckia hirta
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Well-drained but moist, loamy, clay, sandy
Soil pH: 5.5-6.8
The black-eyed Susan is one of the easiest flowers to grow in full sunlight. Often found in open woods, prairies, fields, or along roadsides, this short-lived wildflower spreads quickly by self-seeding. Flowers appear in late summer and early autumn and resemble daisies, bearing yellow petals surrounding a brownish-black center. Deadheading encourages a longer blooming season. Plant in Zones 4-9.
Blanket Flower
gubernat / Getty Images
Botanical Name: Gaillardia pulchella
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Sandy, well-draining soil
Soil pH: 6.8-7.2
From spring until first frost, the brilliant colors of blanket flower bask in the sunshine along sandy roadsides and beach boardwalks. You can enjoy this plant in your garden, too, as long as you plant it in full sun in well-draining soil that isn't heavy or overly moist or rich. This species is an annual, while the hybrid G. x grandiflora is a short-lived perennial.
Blazing Star
Getty Images / Sharon Dominick
Botanical Name: Liatris spp.
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Varies by species
Soil pH: 5.5-7.0
Blazing star is just what you need for the blazing sun. These spiky pollinator plants are often purple, though you can find white and pink varieties. Many types of blazing star grow well in poor, dry soils. The widely available L. spicata likes well-drained soil but can handle more moisture and even grow in rain gardens.
Butterfly Weed
Botanical Name: Asclepias tuberosa
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic, neutral
The most popular Asclepias for the garden, this native plant has orange (or sometimes yellow) flowers in summer. Like other milkweeds, it is a host plant for the monarch butterfly. Other butterflies and bees will visit plants for the nectar. The foliage dies back to the ground in winter and tends to wake up a little later than other perennials. Plant butterfly weed in Zones 3-9 in any average, well-drained soil—preferably one that is on the dry side.
Catmint
Botanical Name: Nepeta spp.
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: 6.0-8.0
Catmint blooms all summer and doesn’t mind the heat of the Lower South. Once established in any well-drained soil, it is drought tolerant. Small purple or blue flowers attract bees and butterflies, but deer typically stay away. Shearing off spent flowers will encourage more growth and blooms. Plant it along walkways so you can enjoy the minty aroma as you brush past.
Celosia
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Botanical Name: Celosia spp.
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Rich, well-draining
Soil pH: 6.0-6.5
Celosia flowers come in an array of hues ranging from yellow to purple. They thrive in the heat, making them a good choice for long, hot Southern summers. Cockscomb (C. cristata) look like the comb on a top of a rooster’s head, while feather celosia (C. plumosa) has fluffy plumes and wheat celosia (C. spicata) resembles wheat. Celosia prefers rich, well-draining soil and does not like heavy clay.
Cleome
Songsak Paname/EyeEm/Getty Images
Botanical Name: Cleome houtteana
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Well-drained but moist
Soil pH: 5.5-7.0
Cleome is sometimes referred to as spider flower and has antenna-like stamens and seed pods. Found in shades of pink, purple, or white, this annual grows quickly from seed or can be purchased from the garden center. The trouble-free plants grow progressively taller, blooming from early summer until frost; plant taller types in the back of the border. Some varieties reseed prolifically.
Chrysanthemum
Botanical Name: Chrysanthemum morifolium
Sun Exposure: Full, light shade
Soil Type: Well-drained but moist
Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Autumn mums form tight, flower-covered mounds when they bloom in fall. Growing between 2 and 3 feet tall, the plants have flowers that look like daisies, pompoms, or spider-like rays and come in white, yellow, red, pink, orange, or purple. Deer do not like mums, so they are safe to plant and enjoy all season. Water mums regularly and pinch off spent flowers to encourage more blooms. You can grow them as perennials in Zones 5-9.
Coneflower
Botanical Name: Echinacea purpurea
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Well-drained, moist, loamy
Soil pH: 6.5-7.2
These native wildflowers thrive in heat and humidity in Zones 4-9. The wild version of purple coneflower is a pinkish-purple, but garden centers carry varieties available in a range of reds, oranges, and whites as well. They bloom best in full sun but can tolerate a little afternoon shade. Coneflowers can be drought-tolerant but should be watered regularly in their first season. The wildflowers attract birds, bees, and butterflies and make excellent-cut flowers.
Coreopsis
Botanical Name: Coreopsis spp.
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained, moist, sandy
Soil pH: 6.5-7.2
Also known as tickseed, the availability of coreopsis has exploded. Many are familiar with the ferny foliage and light yellow flowers of 'Moonbeam' or sunny yellow 'Zagreb.' The annual C. tinctoria has showy burgundy or reddish centers. Today's hybrids also come in whites, reds, oranges, and pinks. Flower petals often look notched and can appear from summer to fall. Some coreopsis types are drought-tolerant; these plants don't do well in heavy or wet soils.
Cosmos
Getty Images / Tomohiro Fujita
Botanical Name: Cosmos bipinnatus
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained, sandy
Soil pH: 7.0-7.5
These beautiful, delicate-looking flowers are in fact easy to grow from seed, not especially picky about soil as long as it is well-draining, and very low-maintenance. Originally from Central America, cosmos can withstand bright sun for a half day or more. The flowers look most striking when planted in large masses that attract birds and butterflies. About a week after germination, they require little watering or care.
Dahlia
Alison Miksch
Botanical Name: Dahlia
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained but moist, organically rich
Soil pH: 6.5-7.0
Dahlias come in small pompoms, ruffled flowers as big as dinner plates, or in single flowers. There are hundreds of varieties ranging from a compact 15 inches to a stately 4 feet tall. Buy plants in the spring or start tubers in pots four to six weeks before your last frost date. They like to be planted in warm, rich, well-drained but moist soil in full sun.
Daylily
Botanical Name: Hemerocallis
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained, rich
Soil pH: 6.5-7.0
Daylilies are perennial flowers with strappy leaves and trumpet-shaped flowers that may appear in spring or summer. The outstanding blooms are available in almost any color and the plants are generally pest- and disease-free, though deer enjoy munching on them. Although daylilies are relatively drought-tolerant, they can benefit from light afternoon shade and regular watering in particularly hot areas.
Delphinium
Botanical Name: Delphinium spp.
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-draining, moist, rich
Soil pH: 6.5-7.5
Garden varieties of delphinium have tall spikes that reach for the sky. They require at least six hours of sun a day but prefer cool summers, making them a challenge farther South than Zone 7. To many gardeners, this flower's vibrant blue, pink, purple, and white shades make it worth it. Plant delphiniums in well-draining soil amended with organic matter and stake tall plants or shelter them from the wind.
Dianthus
Van Chaplin
Botanical Name: Dianthus spp.
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained, rich
Soil pH: 6.5-7.5
Dianthus is a large family of charming cottage-garden flowers that includes Cheddar pinks, sweet Williams, and carnations. They may bloom in spring or summer, depending on the species. Dianthus thrives in Zones 4-9 in well-draining, organically rich soil in full sun. The plants appreciate regular watering during the summer but are fairly carefree when planted in a good site.
Euphorbia
Botanical Name: Euphorbia spp.
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Well-draining, sandy
Soil pH: 6.0-8.0
Most blooming euphorbias, or spurges, love the sun and need six or more hours of it to thrive. These drought-tolerant plants come in various forms, foliage, and flower shapes. The unique flower bracts make it highly coveted for ornamental plant gardens. Many types have interesting, evergreen foliage with stripes or spikes. Some euphorbias are hardy in Zones 3-9 and others have a much narrower range.
Fan Flower
Botanical Name: Scaevola aemula
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Well-draining, moist
Soil pH: 6.0-8.0
Fan flower or scaevola is usually grown as a summer annual and does well in containers. It blooms from late spring to fall in various colors, including blue, purple, pink, and white. This sprawling plant grows fast without needing to be pruned and rarely has setbacks from pests or disease. The Australian native doesn't blink during hot, dry weather. Fan flower likes soil that is evenly moist, but let it dry out slightly between waterings.
Firecracker Plant
Photolinchen / Getty Images
Botanical Name: Cuphea ignea
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Well-draining, moist, rich
Soil pH: 6.0-7.8
Known as Mexican cigar plant or firecracker plant, cuphea will heat things up in a sunny border or container garden. The cigar-shaped, bright blooms attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Firecracker plant prefers light, well-draining, moist soil. It blooms for months until the first frost; you won't need to deadhead the flowers, but pinch back the stems if they get too leggy. The plant is a perennial subshrub in frost-free areas.
Geranium
Botanical Name: Pelargonium
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-draining, rich
Soil pH: 6.0-6.5
These classic, sun-loving plants need bright light to thrive. They will grow leggy in the shade and won't bloom as profusely. Depending on the variety, geraniums can be displayed in hanging baskets, borders, and window boxes. Flowers range in color from lilac to orange and even bi-color. Ivy geraniums are trailing, while scented geraniums may smell of peppermint, citrus, or rose. Geraniums don't like excessive humidity and can rot in poorly drained soil, but often do well in raised beds or containers.
Globe Amaranth
Botanical Name: Gomphrena globosa
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic, neutral
Globe amaranth is easy to start from seed and just as easy to grow in a garden as it is both heat and drought-tolerant. Clover-like blooms in colors of pink, purple, white, orange, and red appear nonstop from late spring into the fall. Water it regularly until established and then during hot, dry spells. Globe amaranth makes great cut flowers and can be used in dried flower arrangements.
Hibiscus
Botanical Name: Hibiscus spp.
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-draining, organic
Soil pH: Slightly acidic to alkaline (6.0-8.0)
Native to warm, subtropical, and tropical environments, hibiscus make perfect sun-loving flowers. Hibiscus grows well in containers as long as it has well-draining soil but also requires a lot of water in its early blooming stages. A slow-release fertilizer will help ensure this plant gets all the nutrients it needs.
Lantana
Botanical Name: Lantana camara
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-draining, clay, sandy
Soil pH: Slightly acidic to alkaline (6.0-8.0)
It's never too hot for a lantana. Their beautiful blooms in reds, oranges, pinks, and yellows will give color all summer and fall and attract butterflies to boot. This drought-tolerant plant loves the full sun—you only need a few plants to put on a show. Lantana seedlings can be invasive, so plant selections that set little or no seed, such as 'Gold Mound'.
Marigold
Botanical Name: Tagetes
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
Marigolds are excellent border plants that can withstand a full day of sun and still look fresh as a daisy. Their odor deters rabbits and deer, so plant this flower on the edge of your garden or in window boxes. Marigolds are not especially picky about soil, are relatively drought-tolerant, and often keep going until the first frost in fall. Most marigolds are annuals, but some perennial species exist.
Million Bells
Botanical Name: Calibrachoa x hybrida
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Well-draining, rich, loamy
Soil pH: 5.5-6.5
Calibrachoa—also known as "million bells" due to its proliferation of beautiful blooms—blooms best in full sun and can even tolerate a bit of drought. This petunia-like plant is available in many colors, including bi-colors and veined patterns; it's also known as the mini petunia and trailing petunia. Calibrachoa is usually grown as an annual in containers in well-drained soil.
Pansy
Botanical Name: Viola x wittrockiana
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Well-drained but moist, rich, loamy
Soil pH: 5.4-6.0
Pansies are an easy way for new and experienced gardeners to bring cheer to a sunny fall garden. They do best in slightly acidic, loamy soil or potting mix. In the South, they are grown in the cooler months from fall until spring, when they really take off and produce a big flush of blooms. Remove them when the heat starts to affect the foliage and replace with heat-resistant summer flowers.
Pentas
Botanical Name: Pentas lanceolata
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: 6.5-7.2
Pentas, or Egyptian star cluster, requires much less fuss and pampering than many summer annuals in the South (the plant is perennial in Zones 10 and 11). You can grow pentas in any well-drained soil, where it will become drought-tolerant once established. This bee-friendly flower blooms from spring through fall in white, pink, lavender, or red. Pentas thrives in full sun but will bloom in partial shade as well.
Peony
Southern Living/Adrienne Legault
Botanical Name: Paeonia hybrids
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-draining, rich
Soil pH: 6.5-7.0
We know they make beautiful cut flowers and bridal bouquets, but they look just as glorious in full sun in the garden in spring. In the Lower South, they can take light afternoon shade. When cutting from the garden, do so in the early morning and choose buds that are just beginning to open. Peonies are known for their showy blooms—some of the truly huge types reach 10 inches wide. They can be sensitive to heat (their southern limit is Zone 8), which is why we've gathered a list of the best peonies to grow in the South.
Petunia
Getty Images/Olena Lialina
Botanical Name: Petunia x hybrida
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-draining, loamy
Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
Trumpet-shaped garden petunias are a classic in summer containers and flowerbeds. Nowadays, you can really express your style with petunias, whether you adore soft and subtle lavender, showy magenta stripes, cheerful reds and whites, or sophisticated and mysterious blacks. Plant breeders have even developed ones that will glow in your nighttime garden. Petunias need well-draining soil and benefit from pinching and deadheading.
Red Poppy
Botanical Name: Papaver rhoeas
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained but moist
Soil pH: 6.0-7.5
The red poppy is also known as corn poppy, field poppy, and Flanders poppy. Sow the seeds in late fall for springtime blooms or in early spring as soon as soil can be worked for crimson blooms come summertime. Poppies need at least six hours of full sun and well-drained soil to grow their best. Poppies' self-seeding abilities allow this annual to return year after year.
Roses
Robbie Caponetto
Botanical Name: Rosa spp.
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained but moist
Soil pH: 6.0-6.5
Nothing beats the charm of a rose garden in summer. If you're wondering if these fussy plants are worth it, we suggest turning to disease-resistant rose series like Knock Out (a 3-6 foot shrub for Zones 5-9) and Drift (a compact, arching ground cover that can be grown throughout the South). Plant them in moist, well-drained soil in full sun, give them a little trim each year, and enjoy months of blooming.
Portulaca
Ali Majdfar/Getty Images
Botanical Name: Portulaca grandiflora
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-draining, sandy
Soil pH: 5.5-7.0
Moss rose's succulent stems mean this plant can hold its own on hot and sunny days. Portulaca prefers fast-draining or sandy soil, light watering, and plenty of sunshine. Use it as a "spiller" plant in containers and hanging baskets or plant it along the edges of pathways.
Russian Sage
Botanical Name: Salvia yangii
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-draining, loamy
Soil pH: 6.0-8.0
Russian sage will spread, making it an excellent plant for extensive garden spaces. Reaching heights of up to 5 feet, this plant is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant and has bluish-purple blooms in the summer that continue into the fall. The foliage impresses in the winter as it features silver stems, sometimes appearing a chalky white.
Salvia
Botanical Name: Salvia
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-draining, organically rich
Soil pH: 5.5-6.5
Hummingbirds and butterflies love these attractive blooms. Cousin to the culinary sage, these plants are grown primarily for show. The blossoms get big, so keep in mind when planting that they need plenty of room to grow. You can find endless types of salvia—red and blue are common colors.
Shasta Daisy
Botanical Name: Leucanthemum x superbum
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-draining, moist, rich
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (5.5-7.0)
Give this delightful cottage flower a good home and it will take off, providing you with a big clump you can divide to share with friends and neighbors. This old-fashioned favorite can tolerate a lot of soils as long as the drainage is sufficient. Shasta daisies will bloom prolifically in spring and summer in full sun.
Snapdragon
Botanical Name: Antirrhinum majus
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Well-draining, moist, rich
Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
Snapdragons will drink up the sun in the brightest spots in your garden. Spikes of snout-shaped blooms bring instant cheer from spring through fall. The flowers make excellent options for containers or to fill space in a flower bed. Though often grown as annuals, snapdragons like cool weather and can return each spring in Zones 7-10.
SunPatiens
Botanical Name: Impatiens x hybrida SunPatiens?
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-draining, moist, rich
Soil pH: 5.8-7.0
Not all impatiens thrive in full sun, but SunPatiens does exceptionally well. They don't need as much water as other impatiens either. And if you do see your SunPatiens wilting in the midday sun, a good watering will make it bounce back. These flowers appreciate rich, well-drained soil.
Sunflower
Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-draining, fertile
Soil pH: 6.0-7.5
The sunniest flower of all, the sunflower, loves full sun. No surprise there. The plants need at least six hours of direct light, and the big yellow, mahogany, or white blooms actually turn towards the sun. These sturdy plants are adaptable and drought-tolerant, though they appreciate regular watering. Annual sunflowers bloom in the summer and fall.
Verbena
Diana Kirby
Botanical Name: Verbena spp.
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: 5.8-7.2
Verbena can be short or tall, trailing or upright, and annual or perennial. Many have velvety lavender or purple blooms (garden verbenas also come in red, pink, and white) and all like to bask in the sunlight. These excellent pollinator plants make a stunning statement in a sunny garden from late spring to fall.
Madagascar Periwinkle (Vinca)
Penpak Ngamsathain/Getty Images
Botanical Name: Catharanthus roseus
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Rich, well-drained, moist
Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
Native to Madagascar, India, and tropical Asia, these bushy plants thrive in both humid and dry heat and are popular in summer containers, hanging baskets, and borders. The pure white, pink, rose, or white flowers have a white or red eye. The flower was formerly known botanically as Vinca rosea, and many people still call it vinca.
Yarrow
Botanical Name: Achillea
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-draining
Soil pH: 5.5-7.0
If you have a rocky, sandy, or dry spot in blazing sun, yarrow is just the plant for your garden. Yarrow has ferny, medicinal-smelling foliage and flat flower clusters traditionally in white or gold hues. There are hybrids now in pinks, reds, and purples. The flowers can be dried for arrangements.
Zinnia
Alison Miksch
Botanical Name: Zinnia elegans
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-draining
Soil pH: 5.5-7.5
You can't ask for a more beautiful addition to your garden than zinnias. The easiest annuals to start from seeds, these bright buds will bloom in containers until an autumn frost. They do well in average soil, as long as it is well-drained, and need less frequent watering once established. Snip them just as they are beginning to open for a show-stopping centerpiece. The plants will branch out and produce more flowers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What flowers grow without sunlight?
Shade-loving plants do not need sun exposure to thrive. Some easy-to-grow shade flowers include impatiens, leopard's bane, hellebore, and orchids.
What is the requirement for a full-sun plant?
Plants and flowers that thrive in full sun require at least six hours of direct daily sun exposure. Some plants will tolerate more prolonged exposure, but it varies based on the temperature severity and species.
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