Gardening in Australia’s abundant sunshine can be both exciting and challenging. Some plants bask in the sun’s warmth, thriving in hot conditions, while others may struggle. If you’re looking to fill your garden with plants that can handle full sun, you’re in luck! There are plenty of sun-loving species, from tropical beauties to hardy succulents and cheerful flowering plants.

Here’s a guide to some of the best plants that will thrive in full sun, adding beauty, texture, and colour to your outdoor space.

Image via Formed Gardens

Tropical Beauties: Adding a Lush, Exotic Vibe

If you want to create a tropical paradise in your garden, there are plenty of sun-loving plants that bring that lush, exotic vibe. These plants are perfect for turning your outdoor space into a relaxing retreat.

Some top tropical plants for full sun include:

• Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae): With its dramatic, bird-like flowers, this plant is always a showstopper.
• Banana Plants (Musa spp.): These bold, large-leafed plants love the sun and create a dramatic look with their tall stalks and broad leaves.
• Palms like Golden Cane Palm (Dypsis lutescens) or Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana) thrive in full sun and give your garden a lush, green vibe.
• Crotons (Codiaeum variegatum): Known for their colourful, variegated leaves, crotons can add a splash of tropical colour to your space.

These plants enjoy the heat and thrive in sunny areas, provided they have well-drained soil and regular watering, especially during the hotter months.

Succulents & Cacti: The Ultimate Sun Lovers

Succulents and cacti are the champions of sun-soaked gardens. They’re built to store water, making them exceptionally drought-tolerant and well-suited to the Australian climate. With their varied forms and colours, these plants add architectural interest to any space.

Some great full-sun succulents and cacti include:

• Aloe Vera: This healing plant is as functional as it is beautiful, and its thick leaves store plenty of moisture to survive even the harshest conditions.
• Agave: Agave plants create a striking silhouette with their spiky, rosette shape.
• Blue Torch Cactus (Pilosocereus azureus): This stunning blue-green cactus stands out in any garden.
• Sedum: These ground-covering succulents are perfect for filling in gaps between rocks or adding texture to borders.

Succulents and cacti work well in rock gardens, pots, or even as part of a modern, minimalistic garden design. The key is to ensure they’re planted in well-draining soil to prevent root rot.

Flowering Plants: Add a Splash of Colour

There’s nothing like the cheerful, bright blooms of full-sun flowers to lift the spirits and add colour to your garden. Many flowering plants thrive in hot, sunny spots, rewarding you with vibrant displays all season long.

Here are some favourites:

• Daisies: Both African Daisies (Osteospermum) and Shasta Daisies (Leucanthemum) are sun-loving and bring charm and color to any garden.
• Lavender (Lavandula spp.): This fragrant plant is perfect for sunny borders or rock gardens and attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.
• Bougainvillea: This vigorous climber thrives in full sun and rewards gardeners with cascades of bright pink, red, or purple blooms.
• Geraniums (Pelargonium): Ideal for pots or garden beds, geraniums thrive in hot, dry conditions and bloom profusely throughout the warmer months.

These plants can handle Australia’s sun and, once established, many are relatively low-maintenance, making them perfect for busy gardeners.

Hardy Evergreens: Structure and Year-Round Interest

If you’re looking for plants that provide structure and greenery all year round, there are plenty of hardy evergreen options that thrive in full sun. These plants add texture and a sense of permanence to your garden, even during the cooler months.

Consider these:

• Oleander (Nerium oleander): Oleanders are tough as nails and produce beautiful flowers in shades of pink, white, and red. They’re perfect for sunny spots and can even handle drought.
• Olive Trees (Olea europaea): For a Mediterranean vibe, nothing beats an olive tree. These sun-loving trees are drought-tolerant once established and can even provide homegrown olives!
• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): This fragrant herb isn’t just for the kitchen—it makes a great full-sun plant with its drought tolerance and year-round greenery.

These evergreen plants are ideal for creating structure and interest in your garden, no matter the season.

Drought-Tolerant Heroes: Plants That Beat the Heat

Australia’s hot summers can be harsh, but some plants are particularly well-suited to withstand long periods of dry heat. These drought-tolerant plants can help you maintain a beautiful garden without constantly worrying about water.

Some top choices include:

• Australian Natives like Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos) and Bottlebrush (Callistemon) are perfectly adapted to the Australian climate and thrive in full sun.
• Succulents and Cacti are obvious drought champions, but you can also include Yucca and Euphorbia for more variety.
• Gazania: These hardy groundcovers are drought-tolerant and bloom continuously throughout the warmer months, offering cheerful daisy-like flowers.

With the right selection of drought-tolerant plants, your garden can stay lush and beautiful even through the hottest Australian summers.