Plant CareChoose Plants That Match Your Lifestyle
Owner, Schlegel Greenhouse · June 19, 2026
Here’s a truth that would save a lot of gardeners a lot of heartache: the best plant for your neighbor may be the worst plant for you. Plant selection isn’t about what’s prettiest on the bench — it’s about matching what you grow to how you actually live.
If You Love Gardening
If puttering in the garden is your happy place, lean into plants that reward attention:
- ✓ Dahlias
- ✓ Geraniums
- ✓ Fuchsia
- ✓ Specialty containers
These give back exactly as much as you put in — and for the right person, that’s the whole point.
If You Want Low Maintenance
If you want a beautiful yard without the daily fuss, choose plants that tolerate a few mistakes:
- ✓ Angelonia
- ✓ Lantana
- ✓ Vinca
- ✓ Coleus
- ✓ SunPatiens
- ✓ Caladiums
These shrug off a missed watering and keep right on going.
If You Travel Often
If you’re away a lot, set yourself up to come home to a garden that survived without you. Avoid small hanging baskets and water-hungry combinations — they dry out fast. Choose instead:
- ✓ Larger containers that hold moisture longer
- ✓ Landscape beds over hanging baskets
- ✓ Drought-tolerant annuals like Lantana, Vinca, and Portulaca
The Main Takeaway
Success starts with realistic expectations. Don’t choose plants that demand a level of care you don’t actually want to give. Choose plants that fit your life, and gardening goes back to being the easy pleasure it’s supposed to be.
Not sure which camp you’re in? There’s a quick “What Kind of Gardener Are You?” quiz on the site that matches your lifestyle to the plants you’ll love.
Hoosier Tip
Be honest with yourself about the travel-heavy stretch of summer, not the relaxed spring weekend when you’re shopping. Plan your plantings around your busiest month and the rest of the season takes care of itself.
Reference: Purdue University Extension · Schlegel Greenhouse production notes
