Zone 9 is considered to hold a warm climate. Warm and humid climate generally attracts pests/insects, and we need to take extra care for most of the plants here in Zone 9 (both 9a and 9b). In this article, I am giving you a list of low-maintenance porch plants for Zone 9.
If you’re a regular reader, you already know that I never recommend a plant or tip without first trying it out myself. I can’t personally test everything due to limited time and space but I’m fortunate to have family members in various locations. I often visit their gardens to gather their experiences and updates. By combining their experiences with my own, I’m able to provide you with the most accurate information. In this article, I’ve handpicked porch plants that thrive in Zone 9 with minimal care. I'll also share whether they do best in full sun or partial sun.
List of best low-maintenance porch plants for Zone 9
I am a gardener and love making my home nice and beautiful. So I know that a lot of people among us have a special attraction for a specific plant type. For example, you may prefer succulents over regular flowering plants.
I have categorized my porch plants list into a few categories so that you can find and choose plants according to your type.
- Succulents
- Flowering Plants
- Foliage Plants
- Herbs and Edible Plants
- Drought-Tolerant Plants
- Hanging and Trailing Plants
- Shade-Loving Plants
- Fragrant Plants
These are the categories you will find here.
To be honest I am a person who loves all the categories and at the end of this article, I have shared 13 porch plant names that I have chosen for myself.
Note: If you are in Zone 9 and confused about what plant you should choose as a privacy hedge, I have something for you: Fast Growing Hedges for Privacy - Zone 9
Central Florida falls in Zone 9b. So this porch plant suggestion will be a perfect fit for Central Florida people as well.
If you are using mobile devices, make sure you scroll sidewise while checking the table's data.
Succulent porch plants for Zone 9 - Low maintenance
| Plant Name | Sunlight | Maintenance Difficulty | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aloe Vera | Full sun to partial shade | Easy | 1-2 feet |
| Echeveria | Full sun | Easy | 3-12 inches |
| Agave | Full sun | Moderate | 3-6 feet |
| Sedum (Stonecrop) | Full sun | Easy | 6 inches - 2 feet |
| Crassula (Jade Plant) | Bright indirect light | Easy | 1-3 feet |
| Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum) | Full sun to partial shade | Easy | 3-6 inches |
| Kalanchoe | Full sun to partial shade | Easy | 6 inches to 3 feet |
| Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum) | Bright indirect light | Moderate | 12-24 inches |
| Paddle Plant (Kalanchoe thyrsiflora) | Full sun to partial shade | Easy | 12-18 inches |
| String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) | Bright indirect light | Moderate | Cascading 1-3 feet |
| Ghost Plant (Graptopetalum paraguayense) | Full sun to partial shade | Easy | 6-12 inches |
Agave Americana, is considered invasive in certain regions.
Flowering Porch Plants for Zone 9
| Plant Name | Sunlight | Maintenance Difficulty | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lantana | Full sun | Easy | 1-3 feet |
| Geranium (Pelargonium) | Full sun | Easy | 1-2 feet |
| Bougainvillea | Full sun | Moderate | 3-10 feet |
| Portulaca (Moss Rose) | Full sun | Easy | 6-12 inches |
| Daylily (Hemerocallis) | Full sun to partial shade | Easy | 1-4 feet |
| Zinnia | Full sun | Easy | 1-3 feet |
| Mexican Petunia (Ruellia) | Full sun to partial shade | Easy | 2-4 feet |
| Salvia | Full sun | Easy | 1-3 feet |
| Coreopsis (Tickseed) | Full sun | Easy | 1-3 feet |
| African Daisy (Osteospermum) | Full sun | Easy | 1-2 feet |
Lantana is invasive in many regions which includes tropical and subtropical regions. (Southern US too).
Ruellia simplex, are known to be invasive in parts of the southeastern United States. It can spread with both seeds and rhizomes.
I love this variant of lantana:
Foliage Plants as Porch Plants - Low maintenance in Zone 9
| Plant Name | Sunlight | Maintenance Difficulty | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snake Plant (Sansevieria) | Low light to full sun | Easy | 1-4 feet |
| Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) | Low light to bright indirect | Easy | 1-10 feet (trailing) |
| ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) | Low light to bright indirect | Easy | 2-3 feet |
| Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) | Low light to partial shade | Very easy | 1-3 feet |
| Philodendron | Low light to bright indirect | Easy | 1-3 feet |
| Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) | Bright indirect light | Moderate | 3-10 feet |
| Dracaena | Bright indirect light | Easy | 3-6 feet |
| Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) | Bright indirect light | Easy | 1-2 feet |
| Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) | Low light to bright indirect | Easy | 1-3 feet |
| Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus) | Low light to bright indirect | Moderate | 1-2 feet |
Tip: If you are choosing a rubber plant make sure to consider the dwarf variant only.
Herbs and Edible Porch Plants
| Plant Name | Sunlight | Maintenance Difficulty | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Full sun | Easy | 1-2 feet |
| Rosemary | Full sun | Easy | 2-4 feet |
| Thyme | Full sun | Easy | 1-2 feet |
| Oregano | Full sun | Easy | 1-2 feet |
| Chives | Full sun to partial shade | Easy | 1-2 feet |
| Mint | Full sun to partial shade | Easy | 1-2 feet |
| Sage | Full sun | Moderate | 1-2 feet |
| Parsley | Full sun to partial shade | Easy | 1-2 feet |
| Cilantro (Coriander) | Full sun | Easy | 1-2 feet |
| Lemongrass | Full sun | Easy | 3-6 feet |
I love lemongrass and this plant smells like lemon.
Note: Lemongrass spreads rapidly so you will have to remove old ones from the roots.
Drought-Tolerant Porch Plants for Zone 9
If you are a lazy person or forget to water your plants, then these are the best ones for you. They will perform well even if you don't water them for a long time.
| Plant Name | Sunlight | Maintenance Difficulty | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agave | Full sun | Easy | 1-6 feet |
| Aloe Vera | Full sun | Easy | 1-3 feet |
| Lavender | Full sun | Easy | 1-3 feet |
| Sedum | Full sun | Easy | 1-2 feet |
| Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) | Full sun | Easy | 3-4 feet |
| Blanket Flower (Gaillardia) | Full sun | Easy | 1-2 feet |
| Lantana | Full sun | Easy | 1-3 feet |
| Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) | Full sun | Easy | 1-3 feet |
| Echinacea (Coneflower) | Full sun | Moderate | 2-4 feet |
| Daylily (Hemerocallis) | Full sun to partial shade | Easy | 1-3 feet |
I have a separate detailed article on how to grow lavender in Zone 9.
Hanging and Trailing Plants as Porch Plants for Zone 9
| Plant Name | Sunlight | Maintenance Difficulty | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) | Full sun to partial shade | Easy | 1-3 feet |
| Trailing Jade (Crassula perfoliata) | Full sun | Easy | 1-2 feet |
| Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) | Low to bright indirect light | Easy | 3-10 feet |
| Hoya (Hoya carnosa) | Bright, indirect light | Easy | 1-4 feet |
| Ivy (Hedera helix) | Partial shade | Easy | 1-3 feet |
| Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) | Partial shade | Moderate | 1-3 feet |
| Bacopa (Sutera cordata) | Full sun to partial shade | Easy | 1-2 feet |
| Rattlesnake Plant (Calathea lancifolia) | Low to bright indirect light | Moderate | 1-3 feet |
| Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas) | Full sun | Easy | 1-3 feet |
| Begonia (Begonia spp.) | Bright, indirect light | Moderate | 1-2 feet |
Zone 9 Shade-Loving Porch Plants
If your porch is in a position where it can't get sunlight at all, you can consider these plants.
| Plant Name | Sunlight | Maintenance Difficulty | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hosta | Partial to full shade | Easy | 1-3 feet |
| Ferns (e.g., Maidenhair Fern) | Partial to full shade | Easy | 1-3 feet |
| Heuchera (Coral Bells) | Partial shade | Easy | 1-2 feet |
| Astilbe | Partial shade | Moderate | 1-3 feet |
| Caladium | Partial to full shade | Easy | 1-2 feet |
| Lungwort (Pulmonaria) | Partial shade | Easy | 1-2 feet |
| Japanese Painted Fern | Partial to full shade | Easy | 1-3 feet |
| Bleeding Heart (Dicentra) | Partial shade | Moderate | 1-3 feet |
| Bishop's Weed (Aegopodium podagraria) | Partial shade | Easy | 1-2 feet |
| Turtlehead (Chelone) | Partial shade | Moderate | 1-3 feet |
Fragrant Porch Plants for Zone 9
| Plant Name | Sunlight | Maintenance Difficulty | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jasmine (Jasminum spp.) | Full sun to partial shade | Easy | 3-10 feet |
| Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) | Full sun to partial shade | Moderate | 3-4 feet |
| Lavender (Lavandula spp.) | Full sun | Easy | 1-3 feet |
| Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) | Full sun | Easy | 2-4 feet |
| Mint (Mentha spp.) | Full sun to partial shade | Easy | 1-2 feet |
| Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) | Full sun to partial shade | Easy | 6-12 inches |
| Scented Geranium (Pelargonium spp.) | Full sun to partial shade | Easy | 1-2 feet |
| Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.) | Full sun to partial shade | Easy | 3-15 feet |
| Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) | Full sun | Easy | 1-2 feet |
| Freesia (Freesia spp.) | Full sun | Moderate | 1-2 feet |
If you want to have an environment that you can feel even with closed eyes, choose at least 3 from the above-mentioned plants. A good fragrant plant can make our mood calm and make us feel happy.
13 Porch Plants that I will choose for myself in Zone 9 from all the categories
You can save this image as I have handpicked only the top 13 porch plants for Zone 9 here:
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