Gardening Ideas 25 Flowers That Thrive in Full Sun By Southern Living Editors Southern Living Editors Since 1966, the editors of Southern Living have been carrying out the mission of the brand: to bring enjoyment, fulfillment, and inspiration to our readers by celebrating life in the South. We inspire creativity in their homes, their kitchens, their gardens, and their personal style. We are a friend they can trust, a guide to the seasons, a helping hand during the holidays, and a relentless champion of the Southern way of life. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on September 15, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: VisionsofAmerica / Joe Sohm / Getty Images Sunlight is essential for growing plants, whether outside or indoors because the light is necessary for photosynthesis—the process that converts light, oxygen, and water into energy. Plants cannot grow or bloom without this energy. Therefore, lack of adequate light will result in severely stunted plant growth or even plants dying. On the other hand, there is such a thing as plants getting too much sunlight. Exposure to too much sunlight can scorch, bleach, and damage plants, eventually killing them altogether. However, some plants thrive in full sunlight. The Southern sun is no match for these bright beauties. Southern states are known for intense summer temperatures, and weather forecasts can be challenging for gardeners. When cultivating flowers, we look for species that can stand up to the often blistering sun of Southern climates. Here, we've rounded up flowers that thrive in full sun. They look good in the summer, spring, or fall, as long as the sun shines. Plant them as a part of a container, or put them in a beautiful flowerbed to add some color and personality to the garden. No matter how you plant them, the blooms will be magnificent in the sunshine. 01 of 25 Angelonia Van Chaplin Botanical Name: Angelonia angustifoliaSun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-draining, RichSoil pH: Slightly Acidic (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. 02 of 25 Black-Eyed Susan Timothy Carroll / EyeEm / Getty Images Botanical Name: Rudbeckia hirtaSun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-drained, Loamy, Clay, SandySoil pH: Acidic (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 wildflower spreads quickly. These flowers appear in late summer and early autumn and resemble the structure of daisies or coneflowers—typically yellow petals surrounding a brownish-black center. 03 of 25 Calibrachoa Steve Bender Botanical Name: CalibrachoaSun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-draining, RichSoil pH: Slightly Acidic (5.5-6.2) Calibrachoa—also known as "million bells" due to its proliferation of beautiful blooms—thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade and even a bit of drought. This species, related to the petunia, is available in various colors, including bi-colors and veined patterns. This flower is also known as the mini petunia and trailing petunia. 04 of 25 Chrysanthemum Alison Miksch Botanical Name: Chrysanthemum morifoliumSun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-drained, MoistSoil pH: SlightlyAcidic to Neutral (5.8-7.0) Heirloom mums grow in clumps and can be a pass-along plant easy to share and grow in a pot. It's best to share these flowers in the late fall or the spring. Growing between two and three feet, some mums look like daisies and bloom in white, yellow, red, pink, orange, and more varieties. Deer do not like mums, so they are safe to plant and enjoy all season. 05 of 25 Coneflower Ralph Anderson Botanical Name: EchinaceaSun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-drained, RichSoil pH: Acidic to Neutral (6.5-7.2) These Southern native flowers thrive in heat and humidity. 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. 06 of 25 Cosmos Getty Images Botanical Name: Cosmos bipinnatusSun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-draining, Dry, AridSoil pH: Acidic (6.0-6.8) These beautiful, many-petaled flowers are easy to grow from seed and aren't picky regarding soil and water. They can withstand bright sun but also tolerate shade in scorching areas. Cosmos are showy flowers that attract birds and butterflies. 07 of 25 Daylily Steve Bender Botanical Name: HemerocallisSun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-draining, MoistSoil pH: Slightly Acidic (6.3-6.8) Daylilies are perennial flowers that thrive in the sun. The outstanding blooms are available in almost any color and are easy to maintain as they are generally pest and disease free. Although daylilies are relatively drought-tolerant, they can benefit from afternoon shade in particularly hot areas. 08 of 25 Delphinum AndreaAstes / Getty Images Botanical Name: Delphinium elatumSun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-draining, Moist, RichSoil pH: Neutral to Slightly Alkaline (7.0) These big, beautiful bloomers have colorful flowers on tall spikes and can withstand hot climates. They require up to eight hours of sun a day and will repeatedly bloom during the summer. This flower's vibrant blue, pink, purple, and white shades help it stand out in the garden. 09 of 25 Euphorbia Mandy Disher Photography / Getty Images Botanical Name: Euphorbia spp.Sun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-draining, SandySoil pH: Slightly Acidic to Neutral (5.0-7.0) Most blooming euphorbias love the sun and need six or more hours of it to thrive. These hardy plants come in various forms, foliage, and flower shapes. The unique floral structure makes this species highly coveted for ornamental plant gardens. 10 of 25 Fan Flower Van Chaplin Botanical Name: Scaevola taccadaSun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-draining, MoistSoil pH: Acidic (5.5-6.0) Fan Flower, also known as Scaevola, is a summer annual that will need to be watered about three times a week and does best in containers. It blooms from late spring to the fall in various colors, including blue, purple, pink, and white. This sprawling plant grows fast without needing to prune or setbacks from pests or disease. 11 of 25 Foxglove Picture Partners / Getty Images Botanical Name: DigitalisSun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-draining, Moist, RichSoil pH: SlightlyAcidic (5.5-6.5) Showy foxgloves thrive in full sun. Though, they are also known to grow well in shady environments. They take to moist soils amended with organic matter, but they're tolerant of most soil types. 12 of 25 Geranium YONCA60 / Getty Images Botanical Name: PelargoniumSun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-draining, LoamySoil pH: SlightlyAcidic (5.8-6.5) These gorgeous, sun-loving plants need bright light to thrive. They will grow leggy instead of bushy in shadier environments and won't bloom as profusely. Depending on the variety, this flower grows well in hanging baskets, borders, and window boxes. Flowers range in color from lilac to orange and even bi-color species. 13 of 25 Hibiscus Getty Images Botanical Name: Hibiscus spp.Sun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-draining, ClaySoil pH: SlightlyAcidic (6.5-6.8) 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. 14 of 25 Impatiens Coast-to-Coast / Getty Botanical Name: Impatiens sppSun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-draining, Moist, RichSoil pH: SlightlyAcidic (6.0-6.5) Not all impatiens thrive in full sun, but some do exceptionally well. Track down varieties that love sunny spots, and you'll have plenty of flowers on your hands come summertime. Impatiens are also known as "touch-me-nots" because a gently touched ripe seed capsule will explode and send seeds sprinkling around the ground. 15 of 25 Lantana Hector M Sanchez Botanical Name: Lantana camaraSun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-draining, Clay, SandySoil pH: Acidic toSlightlyAcidic (5.5-6.5) It's never too hot or too dry for a lantana planting. Beautifully-potted lantana will give color all summer and fall. The heat-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' and 'Pinkie.' 16 of 25 Marigold Hector Manuel Sanchez Botanical Name: TagetesSun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-drained, LoamySoil pH: Slightly Acidic to Neutral (6.0-7.0) Marigolds are excellent border plants that can withstand a full day of sun. The fragrant smell deters rabbits and deer, so plant this flower on the edge of your garden or in window boxes. Marigolds are relatively drought-tolerant and bloom in various gold, orange, yellow, and white colors. Typically, these flowers are annuals, but some perennial species exist. 17 of 25 Pansy Westend61 / Getty Images Botanical Name: Viola tricolor var. hortensisSun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-drainingSoil pH: Acidic (5.4-5.8) Pansies are the easiest way for new and experienced gardeners to bring cheer to a fall garden. So long as they have full sun, pansies will thrive in flowerbeds or containers. Pansies, violas, and violets are all perennial flowers that belong to the same genus. 18 of 25 Peony Alison Miksch Botanical Name: PaeoniaSun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-drainingSoil pH: SlightlyAcidic to Neutral (6.5-7.0) We know they make beautiful cut flowers, but they love the full sun in the garden. 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 large, showy bloom and glossy green foliage. 19 of 25 Poppy VisionsofAmerica / Joe Sohm / Getty Images Botanical Name: PapaverSun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-draining, Sandy, ClaySoil pH: SlightlyAcidic to Neutral (6.5-7.0) Sow some poppy seeds for happy, rainbow-hued blooms come summertime. Poppies need at least six hours of full sun and plenty of well-drained soil to grow their best. Its self-seeding abilities help wild poppies to thrive in rocky, drought-prevalent areas. 20 of 25 Russian Sage Photo: White Oak Gardens Botanical Name: Perovskia atriplicifoliaSun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-drainingSoil pH: Alkaline (7.0-7.8) Russian sage will spread, making it an excellent plant for extensive garden spaces. Reaching heights of up to five feet, this showy and tubular plant is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, has bluish-purple blooms in the summer, and remains colorful into the fall. The foliage impresses in the winter as it features silver stems, sometimes appearing a chalky white. 21 of 25 Salvia Roger Foley Botanical Name: SalviaSun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-draining, Moist, Loamy, RichSoil pH: Acidic toSlightlyAcidic (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. 22 of 25 Snapdragon Getty Images Botanical Name: Antirrhinum majusSun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-draining, Moist, RichSoil pH: SlightlyAcidic to Neutral (6.2-7.0) Snapdragons thrive in full sun, so they're best for the brightest spots in your garden. Their spiky, many-hued blooms bring instant cheer. These flowers, grown as annuals, make excellent options for containers or to fill space in an outdoor garden. 23 of 25 Sunflower picture alliance / Contributor / Getty Images Botanical Name: Helianthus annuusSun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-draining, Moist, RichSoil pH: SlightlyAlkaline (6.0-7.0) The sunniest flower of all, sunflowers, love full sun. No surprise there. They need at least six hours of direct sun daily to create those big yellow blooms. These sturdy plants are adaptable and bloom in the summer and fall. 24 of 25 Viola Ralph Anderson Botanical Name: Viola spp.Sun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-draining, MoistSoil pH: Acidic (4.8-5.8) Violas grow in various colors, including white, yellow, pink, red, orange, and even black. Newer selections are cold weather tolerant, making them ideal for planting in the fall of the Lower, Middle, Coastal, and Tropical South. Violets also grow well in rock gardens or as a woodland plants. 25 of 25 Zinnia Robbie Caponetto Botanical Name: Zinnia elegansSun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-drainingSoil pH: Neutral to Slightly Alkaline (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. Snip them just as they are beginning to open for a show-stopping centerpiece. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit