Looking for plants start with e that are easy to grow? You’re in the right place. Gardening should be fun, not frustrating. This list is perfect for beginners or anyone who wants more green without the fuss. These plants are forgiving, adaptable, and will thrive with basic care.
Let’s get you growing with confidence.
Plants Start With E – Easy to Grow
This group of easy-going plants is your ticket to a successful garden. They offer variety, from beautiful flowers to tasty herbs. You’ll find options for sun, shade, pots, and garden beds.
Here are the top picks for effortless gardening.
English Ivy (Hedera helix)
This classic vine is incredibly tough. It grows in sun or shade and isn’t picky about soil. English Ivy is perfect for covering walls or as a trailing houseplant. Just be sure to check if it’s invasive in your area before planting outdoors.
Echeveria
A superstar among succulents, Echeveria is very easy to grow. It stores water in its lovely rosettes. This means you can forget to water it sometimes, and it will be just fine. It needs lots of sun and well-draining soil.
Eggplant (Solanum melongena)
Yes, you can grow your own! Modern bush varieties are great for containers. Give them full sun, steady water, and a bit of fertilizer. You’ll be harvesting glossy purple fruits before you know it. It’s very satisfying.
Epipremnum aureum (Pothos or Devil’s Ivy)
Often called Pothos, this is arguably the easiest houseplant ever. It tolerates low light and irregular watering. Its trailing vines can grow very long, adding lush greenery to any room. It’s a great starter plant.
Echinacea (Coneflower)
A beautiful perennial that comes back every year. Echinacea loves full sun and attracts butterflies and bees. Once established, it’s drought-tolerant and requires minimal care. The purple-pink flowers are a summer highlight.
English Daisy (Bellis perennis)
These cheerful little flowers bring charm to any garden. They form low clumps with white, pink, or red blooms. English Daisies are cool-weather plants that enjoy partial shade. They’re simple to grow from seed or starter plants.
Euphorbia (Spurge)
This is a huge plant family with many easy-care varieties. Some, like the Poinsettia, are popular houseplants. Others, like Euphorbia characias, are hardy garden perennials. They often have unique shapes and need little water.
Evening Primrose (Oenothera)
A tough wildflower that blooms in the evening. It thrives in poor soil and full sun, spreading readily. Evening Primrose is excellent for naturalized areas. It shows pretty yellow, pink, or white flowers.
Getting Started With Your Easy-Care Plants
Choosing the right plant is the first step. Next, you need to set it up for success. Don’t worry, the rules are simple.
First, always check the plant tag or description. It tells you what the plant needs. Match the plant to the light in your home or garden. A sun-loving plant in a dark corner will struggle.
Use good quality potting mix for containers. For garden beds, amending the soil with compost helps a lot. It improves drainage and provides nutrients. Your plants will thank you for it.
When you plant, don’t bury the stem too deep. The top of the root ball should be level with the soil surface. Gently firm the soil around it and give it a thorough first watering.
Watering Made Simple
Overwatering is the most common mistake. It’s easier to fix underwatering than overwatering. Here’s a simple method:
1. Check the soil before you water. Stick your finger about an inch deep.
2. If the soil feels dry, it’s time to water. If it feels damp, wait a day or two.
3. Water slowly and deeply. You want water to reach the roots, not just wet the surface.
4. Let the excess water drain away. Plants don’t like to sit in soggy soil.
Most of these plants start with e prefer to dry out a bit between waterings. Once you get a routine, it becomes second nature.
Light Requirements Explained
Light is like food for plants. Getting it right is key. The terms can be confusing, so here’s a plain English guide:
* Full Sun: Means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. Think south or west-facing spots.
* Partial Sun/Partial Shade: These are often used interchangeably. It means about 3-6 hours of sun, preferably morning sun. East-facing locations are ideal.
* Full Shade: Does not mean no light. It means less than 3 hours of direct sun, with bright, indirect light for the rest of the day.
Echeveria and Eggplant need full sun. English Ivy and Pothos are happy in partial to full shade. Putting a plant in the wrong light is the main reason it might not thrive.
Feeding and Basic Maintenance
You don’t need fancy fertilizers. A balanced, all-purpose fertilizer works for most plants. Follow the directions on the package—more is not better.
* Feed container plants every 4-6 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer).
* Garden perennials like Echinacea usually only need one feeding in early spring.
* Herbs and vegetables like Eggplant benefit from more frequent feeding to support fruit production.
Other maintenance is easy. Remove dead leaves to keep plants healthy. Pinch back leggy stems on herbs and flowers to encourage bushier growth. For flowering plants, deadheading (removing spent blooms) often promotes more flowers.
Dealing With Common Problems
Even easy plants can have occasional issues. Here’s how to handle them:
* Yellow Leaves: Often a sign of overwatering. Check your watering schedule.
* Leggy Growth: Usually means the plant needs more light. Move it to a brighter spot.
* Brown Leaf Tips: Can be from dry air or underwatering. Mist the plant or water a bit more.
* Pests: Like aphids or spider mites. A strong spray of water often knocks them off. For stubborn cases, use insecticidal soap.
The good news is that healthy, well-placed plants resist pests and diseases much better. So focus on good basics care first.
Growing in Pots vs. In the Ground
Many of these plants are versatile. You can grow them in containers or directly in your garden.
Container Gardening Pros:
* You can control the soil and light by moving the pot.
* Great for small spaces like patios or balconies.
* Less weeding is involved.
In-Ground Gardening Pros:
* Plants often grow larger and need less frequent watering.
* Perennials like Echinacea establish strong root systems.
* It’s a more permanent, low-maintenance landscape solution.
For pots, always choose containers with drainage holes. Use a potting mix, not garden soil. For in-ground planting, loosening the soil and adding compost makes a big difference for your plants start with e.
Seasonal Care Tips
Your care will change with the seasons, and that’s normal.
Spring: This is the main planting and feeding time. Growth takes off. Check for any winter damage on perennials and trim it away.
Summer: Focus on consistent watering, especially for containers. They dry out fast in the heat. Enjoy the blooms of Echinacea and the harvest of Eggplant.
Fall: It’s time to plant spring bulbs and divide overgrown perennials. You can also take cuttings of tender plants like Pothos to overwinter indoors.
Winter: Most plants rest. Water much less, especially for indoor plants. Protect tender outdoor plants from frost if necessary. Planning next year’s garden is a fun winter activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some easy indoor plants that start with E?
Epipremnum (Pothos) and Echeveria are the top choices. They are very adaptable to indoor conditions and forgive occasional neglect. English Ivy also makes a nice indoor plant.
Which edible plants start with E are simple for beginners?
Eggplant and herbs like English Lavender (for seasoning) are great starts. They grow well in pots with good sun. You get the reward of eating what you grow.
Are there any shade-loving plants that start with E?
Yes! English Ivy and Epipremnum (Pothos) are excellent for shady spots. They thrive in low-light conditions where other plants might struggle.
How often should I water my Echeveria?
Water it deeply, but then let the soil dry out completely before watering again. In winter, you might only need to water it once a month. The leaves will look slightly wrinkled when it’s thirsty.
Do I need to prune my Echinacea?
Deadheading (removing old flowers) will encourage more blooms. In late fall or early spring, you can cut the dead stems back to the ground. New growth will emerge from the base.
Can I grow Eggplant in a pot?
Absolutely. Choose a compact or “bush” variety. Use a large pot (at least 5 gallons) with drainage holes. Place it in full sun and water regularly. A stake might be needed to support the heavy fruit.
Starting a garden with these plants is a rewarding experience. They provide quick wins that build your confidence. Remember, every gardener makes mistakes—it’s part of the learning process. With these resilient plants start with e, you’re well on your way to a thriving green space.