12 Plants That Like It Hot

Plants That Like It Hot

Let’s face it—summer in California is hot, hot, hot! And while some plants are crying uncle, these sun-loving stunners are just getting their groove on. They don’t just tolerate the heat—they thrive in it. Whether you’re planting in the ground or adding flair to containers, these beauties bring bold color, fragrance, and pollinator power all season long.

12 Heat-Loving Plants to Grow When the Thermostat Won’t Quit

1. Lavender (Herbaceous perennial/shrub)

Lavender is downright tough. It thrives in full sun, poor soil, and minimal water once established.
Use it in: borders, herb gardens, containers, and dry landscapes.
Bonus: Toss the flowers into cookies or lemonade for a gourmet twist.

2. Hibiscus (Flowering shrub or perennial, depending on variety)

Big, bold blooms and colors that practically shout. Loves heat and sunshine.
Use it in: garden beds, large containers, or as a focal plant.
Varieties include: Crown of Bohemia, The Path, Red Dragon, Fiesta, Erin Rachel, and Fullmoon.

3. Cordylines (Tropical ornamental foliage shrub)

Dramatic flair with upright, spiky leaves in electric colors.
Use it in: containers, modern garden designs, or tropical-themed beds.
Top picks: Electric Flash, Electric Pink, Pink Passion.

4. Loropetalum (Evergreen flowering shrub)

Deep plum foliage and bright pink fringe-like flowers.
Use it in: foundation plantings, borders, containers, or as a low hedge.

5. Lantana (Flowering shrub or trailing perennial)

Bright, cheerful blooms in shades of yellow, orange, and pink.
Use it in: borders, hanging baskets, containers, or mass plantings.

6. Salvia (Perennial or annual, depending on variety)

Tough, beautiful, and pollinator-friendly.
Use it in: pollinator gardens, borders, and dry landscapes.
Top picks: Friendship Sage (Amistad), Victoria Blue, Amethyst Lips.

7. Rosemary (Woody perennial herb)

Fragrant and heat-loving with culinary uses.
Use it in: rock gardens, Mediterranean landscapes, container gardens, or as a fragrant groundcover.

8. Bougainvillea (Woody vine or sprawling shrub)

Confetti-like color all summer long.
Use it in: trellises, fences, containers, or cascading over walls.
Featured Varieties: Purple Queen® and Rosenka Bougainvillea.

California Natives That Beat the Heat

These California natives are not just survivors—they’re garden MVPs that support local wildlife, save water, and keep your landscape looking fresh all summer.

9. California Fuchsia (Epilobium canum – Low-growing perennial/groundcover)

Blazing orange-red blooms that hummingbirds love.
Use it in: slopes, native beds, containers, or rock gardens.

10. Cleveland Sage (Salvia clevelandii – Woody perennial/shrub)

Intensely fragrant with beautiful blue-purple blooms.
Use it in: dry landscapes, pollinator gardens, or mixed native plantings.

11. California Buckwheat (Eriogonum spp. – Shrubby or low perennial)

Summer-to-fall bloomer with rusty-red seed heads.
Use it in: dry gardens, pollinator habitats, slopes, and meadows.

12. California Lilac (Ceanothus spp. – Evergreen shrub)

Vibrant blue-purple spring flowers and evergreen foliage.
Use it in: hedges, slopes, borders, or as an evergreen backdrop.