Creating a lush garden can feel overwhelming, especially when dealing with bare patches, dry corners, and tough-to-grow spots. The good news? You can quickly transform these problem areas into thriving, colorful spaces with the right fast-growing, low-maintenance plants. Here are 25 fast-fix plants that will look great in no time.
1. Sedum
Sedum is a speedy problem-solver for dry, sunny spots. It grows fast even in poor soil where other plants fail. Its thick leaves that store water make it perfect for hot patches. It quickly spreads without getting out of control. Plus, it adds texture and bright colors while attracting pollinators. Perfect for a quick garden fix!
2. Coneflower
Coneflowers are quick to establish and tough as nails. They bloom beautifully even in heat and poor soil. Once planted, they spread easily and come back year after year. Their bold blooms draw bees and butterflies, making gardens lively fast. These flowers need little care, making them perfect for tricky, dry spots that need color fast.
3. Creeping Thyme
Creeping Thyme covers bare spots fast with its thick, fragrant mat. It can handle tough soil and even foot traffic. It blooms in sunny spots with little pink or purple flowers that quickly brighten the ground. It's also great at keeping weeds away. A perfect fast-fix ground cover!
4. Lamb's Ear
Lamb's Ear fills dry, shady spots in no time. Its soft, silver leaves spread quickly without needing much water. It brightens dull areas and adds unique texture fast. Plus, it blooms with purple spikes in late spring. It's a simple, fast-fix choice for tricky garden corners.
5. Yarrow
Yarrow is a fast-spreading flower that loves the sun and dry soil. Its feathery leaves and colorful blooms fill spaces quickly. Yarrow handles tough conditions with ease and spreads steadily once planted. It attracts bees and butterflies, adding instant life to your garden. Perfect for fast-fixing bare patches!
6. Black-Eyed Susan
Black-Eyed Susans are quick growers that light up tricky sunny spots. Their sunny yellow petals pop up fast and stay all summer. They handle hot, dry places without fuss. These tough flowers spread naturally and cover bare areas in no time. Great for adding color quickly!
7. Hosta
Hostas are quick fillers for shady bare spots. Their big leaves spread fast and create a lush look under trees. They are hardy, easy to grow, and need very little care. Plus, they send up tall flowers that attract hummingbirds. Hostas make shady corners look complete and fresh fast.
8. Blanket Flower
Blanket Flowers grow fast and bloom nonstop through summer and fall. They love poor soil and hot, dry spots. Their vibrant reds and yellows add instant color. These tough flowers spread easily and keep gardens bright with little effort. A great fast-fix for dry, empty spaces!
9. Ajuga
Ajuga quickly spreads to cover shady or partly sunny spots. Its shiny leaves and bright blue flowers fill in gaps where grass fails. Ajuga forms a thick mat that also blocks weeds. Once planted, it spreads fast with very little maintenance. Perfect for quick ground cover.
10. Ice Plant
Ice Plant races across hot, dry patches with its thick, colorful carpet. It thrives where few other plants survive. Its bright blooms open in the sun, creating fast bursts of color. Ice Plant grows low and spreads wide, covering rocky patches quickly and easily.
11. Russian Sage
Russian Sage grows tall and wide quickly, making it great for dry, sunny corners. Its silver stems and soft purple blooms fill spaces fast. Russian Sage handles drought and poor soil like a champ. It’s a fast grower that brings beauty without the hard work.
12. Bergenia
Bergenia is a fast filler for dry, shady spots. Its bold green leaves spread quickly and stay colorful all year. In spring, it blooms bright pink, adding early color. Bergenia handles tough spots without a fuss, making it a perfect fast-fix choice.
13. Sweet Woodruff
Sweet Woodruff spreads quickly in shady, moist areas. Its soft green carpet and tiny white flowers fill empty spots fast. It needs little care once it's settled. Sweet Woodruff is perfect for quickly brightening shady nooks and making them feel fresh and full.
14. Daylilies
Daylilies are speedy growers that fill gaps with long, grassy leaves. Their colorful blooms pop up quickly and last all summer. They survive drought, poor soil, and neglect. Daylilies are perfect for rapidly fixing up tricky spots without lots of work.
15. Coral Bells
Coral Bells fill shady areas fast with their colorful leaves. They come in many shades, adding quick beauty to the garden. In late spring, they send up flower stalks that attract hummingbirds. Coral Bells proliferate and need little care, making them a fast fix for tricky spots.
16. Portulaca
Portulaca, or Moss Rose, spreads quickly over sunny, dry patches. It blooms with bright, cheerful flowers that love the heat. Portulaca grows low and wide, filling bare areas fast. Once established, it needs almost no water. It's a colorful, easy, fast-fix!
17. Japanese Forest Grass
Japanese Forest Grass quickly fills shady corners with its arching golden leaves. It brightens dark areas and needs little maintenance once settled. Though it grows slowly initially, it quickly forms graceful clumps that make shady spots shine. Great for tricky corners needing a soft touch.
18. Lavender
Lavender grows fast in hot, sunny spots and fills bare areas with fragrance and purple blooms. It loves dry soil and doesn’t need much water. Once planted, lavender spreads steadily and keeps gardens looking neat and colorful.
19. Penstemon
Penstemon grows fast in rocky, dry places. Its tubular flowers add bright color quickly, attracting hummingbirds too. Penstemon is tough and needs little care. It’s excellent for rapidly naturalizing tricky areas and adding lively blooms to sunny patches.
20. Japanese Anemone
Japanese Anemones are fast growers for shady or part-sunny areas. They fill bare spots with tall, graceful stems and late-season blooms. Once planted, they spread steadily and need little upkeep. Their pink and white flowers add soft beauty when gardens need a boost.
21. Cactus
Cacti grow slowly but fix extreme dry patches quickly because they need almost no care. Once placed, they thrive in hot sun and poor soil. Some cacti even bloom with surprising bursts of color. They're perfect for tough spots where other plants fail.
22. Ferns
Ferns fill shady, moist spots with soft, feathery fronds fast. They thrive under trees and in woodland areas. Ferns spread steadily once planted, creating a lush green carpet. They add peaceful beauty to tricky, damp corners without much fuss.
23. Snow-in-Summer
Snow-in-Summer spreads quickly across dry, sunny slopes. Its silvery leaves and white flowers cover rocky areas beautifully. Once established, it grows fast with little care. Snow-in-Summer adds a soft, bright touch to hard-to-fill spaces.
24. Candytuft
Candytuft is a fast-growing, low-spreading plant that brightens sunny areas with a blanket of snowy white blooms. It thrives in rocky, dry soil and quickly fills bare patches in spring. The evergreen foliage stays neat even after flowering, keeping garden beds tidy year-round. It is perfect for edging pathways, rock gardens, or dry slopes.
25. Coreopsis
Coreopsis is a cheerful, sun-loving flower that grows quickly and fills bare spots with golden blooms. It thrives in poor, dry soil and handles heat and drought with no problem. The bright, daisy-like flowers bloom for months, attracting butterflies and adding nonstop color. Coreopsis spreads steadily and is easy to grow, making it perfect for tricky sunny areas needing a quick lift.
Fast-Track Your Garden Makeover
Choosing fast-fix plants is the easiest way to turn problem spots into pretty ones. With the right plants, you can quickly fill bare patches, brighten dry corners, and cover tricky areas without much work. Whether you need drought-tough succulents, shade-loving ground covers, or colorful blooms for sunny spaces, a plant is ready to help. Pick your favorites, plant them carefully, and watch your garden come alive faster than you thought possible!