Starting a garden can feel intimidating. There are tools, soil types, mysterious Latin plant names, and the lingering fear that everything you plant will immediately die. The good news? Many plants are surprisingly forgiving. Some practically grow themselves.

If you’re new to gardening—or just a little forgetful—these ten plants are famous for being hardy, low-maintenance, and very tolerant of beginner mistakes.

Let’s meet the plants that won’t judge you if you occasionally forget where you left the watering can.

1. Basil

Basil is the overachiever of the herb world. Give it sunshine and a little water and it will reward you with piles of fragrant leaves perfect for pasta, salads, and pretending you're on a cooking show.

Why it’s easy to grow

How to grow
Plant basil in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Water regularly and pinch off the top leaves to encourage bushy growth. Think of it like giving the plant a haircut so it grows fuller.

What to watch out for
Basil hates cold weather almost as much as people hate stepping on Lego bricks. If temperatures drop, it sulks. Also try not to splash water on the leaves too often, as wet foliage can encourage disease.

2. Mint

Mint is the plant equivalent of that friend who moves into your house and then invites more friends without asking.

Why it’s easy to grow

How to grow
Plant mint in a container or pot. Trust me on this one. Water regularly and harvest often for tea, desserts, and refreshing drinks.

What to watch out for
If planted directly in the ground, mint may attempt to conquer your entire garden. Pots help prevent mint from launching its world domination plans.

3. Lavender

Lavender is basically the low-maintenance spa therapist of the garden. It smells amazing, attracts bees, and looks beautiful without asking for much in return.

Why it’s easy to grow

How to grow
Plant lavender in full sun with well-drained soil. It prefers sandy or gravelly soil and doesn’t like soggy conditions.

What to watch out for
Too much water is lavender’s worst nightmare. If the soil stays wet, the roots may rot. Lavender prefers a “less is more” approach to watering.

4. Clematis

Clematis is a climbing plant that produces stunning flowers and loves to show off by covering fences, trellises, and garden arches.

Why it’s easy to grow

How to grow
Plant clematis with its roots in cool, shaded soil while the vines grow toward the sun. Give it a trellis or support structure so it has somewhere to climb.

What to watch out for
Occasionally clematis can suffer from something called “clematis wilt,” where stems suddenly collapse. It sounds dramatic—and sometimes it is—but plants often recover with pruning and good care.

5. Sedum

Sedum is the ultimate “set it and forget it” plant. If plants had survival competitions, sedum would probably win.

Why it’s easy to grow

How to grow
Plant sedum in full sun with well-drained soil. Water sparingly and let the soil dry between watering.

What to watch out for
Too much water or shade can make sedum unhappy. Ironically, caring too much for it is often the problem.

6. Tomato

Tomatoes are the celebrities of the vegetable garden. They grow fast, produce lots of fruit, and taste far better than store-bought versions.

Why it’s easy to grow

How to grow
Plant tomatoes in a sunny location with fertile soil. Support the plants with stakes or cages and water regularly.

What to watch out for
Tomatoes can develop issues like blight or blossom end rot if watering is inconsistent. In other words, they like routine—just like your favourite TV series.

7. Rosemary

Rosemary is the tough, evergreen herb that thrives even when you forget about it for a while.

Why it’s easy to grow

How to grow
Plant rosemary in full sun and well-drained soil. Light pruning helps keep the plant compact and encourages new growth.

What to watch out for
Rosemary dislikes soggy soil. If its roots sit in water for too long, it may develop root rot.

8. Nasturtium

Nasturtiums are cheerful flowers with bright colours and a bonus feature: the leaves and flowers are edible.

Why it’s easy to grow

How to grow
Sow seeds directly in the soil after the last frost. Give them a sunny spot and minimal fuss.

What to watch out for
Too much fertilizer produces lots of leaves but fewer flowers. Nasturtiums actually perform better when you don’t spoil them.

9. Marigold

Marigolds are the friendly bodyguards of the garden. Not only are they bright and cheerful, they can also help deter certain pests.

Why it’s easy to grow

How to grow
Plant marigolds in full sun with well-drained soil. Deadhead old flowers to encourage more blooms.

What to watch out for
Young marigold plants can attract slugs. If you see suspicious holes in leaves overnight, that’s your likely culprit.

10. Courgette (Zucchini)

Courgettes are famous for producing a lot of vegetables. Plant one or two and you may suddenly find yourself giving away zucchini to neighbours.

Why it’s easy to grow

How to grow
Plant courgettes in rich soil with plenty of sunlight. Give them room to spread because the leaves grow large.

What to watch out for
Powdery mildew and aphids can appear later in the season. Good spacing and airflow help keep plants healthy.

Final Thoughts

Gardening doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful. Starting with easy plants builds confidence and helps you learn what works in your garden. Herbs like basil, mint, and rosemary are great for cooking, flowers like marigolds and nasturtiums brighten up outdoor spaces, and vegetables like tomatoes and courgettes reward you with delicious harvests.

And remember: even experienced gardeners occasionally forget to water something. Plants are surprisingly resilient, and with these beginner-friendly choices, your garden will be off to a great start.

Plus, if everything grows too well… you can always blame the courgettes. They tend to take over anyway.

Yours truly, Lerika