21 Best Landscaping Plants For Gardens with Sandy Soil

For gardeners who live in sandy soil regions, finding plants, flowers, trees, and vegetables that can tolerate these conditions becomes a hot topic of conversation. Fertilizer, nutrients, and water slip right through the large particles of sandy soil, so it takes a particular type of plant to thrive. 

Luckily, plants have been growing for thousands of years, and with the science of hybrid seeds and saving seeds in different zones, seeds have adjusted to survive all over the world. 

Let’s discuss how you can create a stunning landscaping plan with the help of these 21 sandy soil-loving plants. 

Blanket Flower 

	common name Blanket Flower
	botanical name Gaillardia x grandiflora
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 3 to 10

Look no further if you want low maintenance and consistent reliability. Blanket flowers are a breeze to establish and care for, even in poor soil conditions, including sandy and dry, perfect for rock gardens and walls, naturalized areas, and sloped land. Ensure good drainage for best results. 

Our community loves ‘Goblin Gaillardia’ for its high germination rates and long lifespan. Sometimes, they’re still blooming when the first fall frost arrives. The petals blend uniquely bright coral with sunset yellow tips and brown centers. They’re long-lasting as cut flowers, and pollinators adore them. 

Sprinkle seeds outdoors once the risk of frost has passed, or start them indoors about six weeks before the last frost and transplant them. Water new transplants regularly while establishing; only supplemental watering is necessary when no rainfall occurs for long periods. While blanket flowers don’t typically live past two years, their ability to self-seed keeps them popping up. 

Lavender

	common name Lavender
	botanical name Lavandula spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 5 to 9

Once you establish a lavender plant or two, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. After lavender sets healthy roots, it becomes drought-tolerant, and many cultivars do just fine in cold temperatures and humid conditions. Its fibrous, shallow-rooted underground network allows it to effectively uptake water and nutrients and continue to do well when drought conditions arise. Clayey and heavy soils may cause root rot. 

Pollinators will flock to the purple spikes, and you can’t explain the delicious fragrance of these plants wafting into the air. Just brushing past one will leave the scent lingering on your skin and clothes for hours. 

Hardy Geraniums/Cranesbill

	common name Hardy Geraniums/Cranesbill
	botanical name Geranium maculatum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6 to 24 inches
	hardiness zones USDA 3 to 8

If you’re starting a rock garden or live in a hot, dry region, hardy geraniums might become your new best friend. They’re tough, versatile, and beautiful and shouldn’t be confused with annual geraniums. While both add bright and cheerful pops of color, hardy geraniums tolerate harsh winter conditions, as the name suggests. 

There are about 300 species of hardy geraniums, ranging from deep purples and pinks to bi-color to red. Propagation by seed is possible but can be challenging. Acquire new plants from your local nursery or split established plants every few years to encourage new growth and expand your stock. 

Toss them some general slow-release fertilizer in the spring to support health and growth—mulch in the fall with chopped leaves, straw, or woodchips to protect the crown. You may experience a second bloom if you prune them after their spring or summer flush. 

Sweet Alyssum 

	common name Sweet Alyssum
	botanical name Lobularia maritima
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6 to 12 inches
	hardiness zones 5 to 9, perennial in 9 to 11

This tough little flower is often grown as a ground cover, spreading quickly with its four-petaled flowers and sweet honey-like smell. It will form a mound, trail down, or spread out like a gentle carpet, depending on where it’s sown or transplanted. 

Alyssum transplants well, but you can also directly seed them underneath taller flowering plants like marigolds or around annual vegetable gardens. Their sweet fragrance attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, especially the small ones who love landing on the tiny petals.

Alyssum is forgiving of neglect and doesn’t need much to thrive. Select ‘Tiny Tim’ for the classic white version, ‘Rosie O’Day’ for shades of pink, or ‘Oriental Nights’ for cheerful purple. 

Cosmos 

	common name Cosmos
	botanical name Cosmos bipinnatus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 6 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 2 to 11

Cosmos are the go-to, easy-to-grow and maintain, happy flower that thrives in all soil types, including sandy. And don’t waste time and money on expensive compost for these guys; they don’t want or need it. Too much nitrogen will lead to heavy foliage but light blooms. And let’s be honest, we grow cosmos for the gorgeous pink and magenta blooms! You can’t go wrong with ‘Sensation Blend’. 

Since seeds need light to germinate, scatter them in late fall or early spring once the risk of frost has passed. Weed the area until they grow large enough to shade out surrounding weeds. Cosmos will self-seed if you let them, and they will be one of the last plants blooming when fall temperatures drop. 

For a unique and homemade gift, press cosmos between waxed paper to use later on homemade cards or dye clothes with them.

Hostas

	common name Hostas
	botanical name Hosta plantaginea
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height Up to 4 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 3 to 9

Hostas are an extremely versatile, carefree, evergreen plant. Many of them prefer poor soil conditions in shady areas. They are available in bright green, light green, variegated and non-variegated, green with cream edges, bold, blue-green, and everything in between. 

Gardeners often split hostas to share with friends and neighbors. I transplanted one this spring that was practically white after not receiving sunlight for several weeks, and it thrived after a few short months. 

If you have poor soil or a space needing inspiration, toss in some ‘Gentle Giant’ or ‘Humpback Whale’ to add design structure without much effort. 

Common Milkweed

	common name Common Milkweed
	botanical name Asclepias syriaca
	sun requirements Full sun
	height Up to 3 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 3 to 9

There are upwards of 115 milkweed species that grow in the Americas, used medicinally, for garden flare, and to help protect the fleeting monarch butterfly population. Common milkweed is one of the nine species on which monarchs lay their eggs.

These plants are considered invasive in some areas, so check with your extension office or remove the seed pods in the fall to prevent spread. Consider adding them to naturalized areas, hillsides, along forest edges, or a wildflower mix. Milkweed is adaptable to poor soil conditions like clayey, rocky, and sandy. 

Propagate new plants every few years with rhizome cuttings. Add them to other areas of your property or share them with friends. 

Creeping Phlox

	common name Creeping Phlox
	botanical name Phlox stolonifera
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4 to 12 inches
	hardiness zones USDA 5 to 8

For a gorgeous evergreen creeper, try creeping phlox. It forms a lovely mat quickly, performing well along rock walls, slopes, and walkways or used to suppress weeds around annuals. It’s tolerant of salt and isn’t picky about pH levels. 

Butterflies and moths are attracted to its nectar, but rabbits and deer will stay away. While it will spread quickly, pulling up the roots in unwanted areas is easy. Landscapers love the shades of white, red, pink, blue, and purple creeping phlox blooms.  

Creeping phlox is hardy in most regions across the Americas and is drought-tolerant once established. Humidity doesn’t seem to cause issues, but deadheading to provide additional airflow is advised. Some varieties can handle light frost. 

Beach Rose 

	common name Beach Rose
	botanical name Rosa rugosa
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 4 to 6 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 2 to 7

The beach rose has helped stabilize sandy dunes across the United States’ east coast and naturalized in sloped areas with poor, sandy soils. Their flowers are white or a shade of pink, ranging from single, semi-double, and double blooms, depending on the cultivar. Plants bloom in late spring to early fall. 

This perennial plant can grow up to two feet annually and is considered invasive in some regions. Check-in with your local extension office before planting one. 

All levels of gardeners will enjoy growing these, but they’re especially great for beginners because of their forgiving nature. 

Bearded Iris 

	common name Bearded Iris
	botanical name Iris x germanica
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 4 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 3 to 9

Bearded Iris is one of the first things to bloom here in New England each spring. Many gardeners put them close to their house to witness the deep violet blooms up close. They’ll pop out through snow if they have to, anything to help signify that spring is upon us. 

When we moved onto our new property, neighbors gifted us bulbs and perennial plant splits to help us spruce up the baron, sandy land. I tossed extra iris bulbs in an empty area, and I couldn’t believe my eyes when they sprouted. I didn’t give them an ounce of love or attention; they’ll make me smile each spring. 

Luckily, these underground rhizomes will spread slowly each year. Split them every few years and cut them back before winter annually. 

Sedum

	common name Sedum
	botanical name Hylotelephium spectabile
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 4 to 9

A no-brainer if you have sandy soil, sedum doesn’t mind being neglected as long as it receives water occasionally. Some experts go as far as to call it a “bulletproof survivor.” ‘Autumn Joy’ is a cross of sedum and an ice plant. Blooms sit atop clusters of thick stalks, making it easy to prune. 

‘Autumn Joy’ blooms in late summer or fall and boasts creamy, rosy, mauve pink blooms that pollinators adore. It pairs well with ornamental grasses or planted along rock walls and blooms just as summer annuals are petering out. 

This flowering perennial comes in mounds, groundcover, and upright options, so choose one in color and shape that suits your garden needs. Propagate it from stem cuttings to increase your stock. 

Echinacea/Coneflower 

	common name Echinacea/Coneflower
	botanical name Echinacea purpurea
	sun requirements Full sun with dappled afternoon shade
	height 2 to 4 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 4 to 9, with a few cultivars that survive in zones 3 and 10

Available in purple, red, orange, white, peach, and pink, Echinacea is an easy-to-grow perennial native to North America. While it would prefer semi-rich soil, it doesn’t mind sandy soils along coastlines and lake regions. 

Coneflowers grow in clumps with a controllable spread, so there are no worries about it becoming invasive. Plant them on hillsides, in mass, along rock walls, or add them to native landscapes. They’ll generally thrive where they bloom.

This disc-shaped flower is known for its versatility and for attracting pollinators. It does best without fertilizer and appreciates light compost mulching each spring. 

Sweet Annie 

	common name Sweet Annie
	botanical name Artemisia annua
	sun requirements Full sun
	height Up to 9 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 3 to 9

Preferring sandy, well-draining, neutral soil, sweet Annie should be at the top of your list for short hedgerows and fences, as well as for cut flower bouquet filler. The fern-like greens work well once dried in flower arrangements and crafts. Cut them when fully green, or wait a little longer for tiny goldish cream flowers to appear on the tips of each point. 

This plant is part of the wormwood family and originated in China, where people use it medicinally, which is apparent from its intense and earthy aroma. It’s commonly called sweet sagewort, sweet wormwood, and Chinese wormwood. 

While sweet Annie isn’t a perennial, it self-seeds so readily you’ll think it is. Luckily, the tiny seedlings are easy to pull out in unwanted parts. If you live in West Virginia, however, opt for a non-invasive Artemisia instead.

Rudbekia

	common name Rudbekia
	botanical name Rudbekia hirta, fulgida, and triloba
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 5 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 3 to 9

Commonly called Black-Eyed Susan, rudbekia is a familiar front and backyard flower that’s easy to establish and care for. Their friendly, deep yellow petals surround a chocolate brown or black center, spreading yearly. 

Once you have rudbekia on your property, it will likely pop up everywhere as birds feed on the seeds, dropping them out carelessly across the way, which will make sense when you see how little they regard soil type or location. They epitomize the saying, “bloom where you’re planted.”

Rudbekia seeds need cold stratification, so try winter sowing them this season. They’ll pop up in the spring when conditions are ideal. They are often in wildflower mixes because of their ease of care and prolific self-seeding. 

Russian Sage 

	common name Russian Sage
	botanical name Salvia yangii
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3 to 5 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 4 to 9

This perennial shrub is the perfect plant to add to your line-up if you have harsh winters and less-than-perfect soil conditions but still want bright, easy-to-care-for plants. Coming to us from Central Asia, it practically prefers neglect and drought conditions. 

Russian sage is pollinator-friendly and doesn’t mind the salty air of coastlines. Enjoy its violet spiky blooms from June to October in most regions. 

Even though it looks like lavender and smells similar to sage, it’s not related to either herb, and you shouldn’t consume it.  

Salvia

	common name Salvia
	botanical name Salvia officinalis
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 4 to 8

Salvia is an excellent option for sandy soil; you’ll only need to provide minimal care after establishing it. Their violet blooms are long-lasting, blooming in the spring and summer until the first frost. 

This member of the Lamiaceae family typically returns each year and doesn’t seem to mind drought conditions or extreme heat. You’ll notice the pollinators buzzing away as you brush past its tall spikes. 

Salvia is gorgeous as a flower bouquet filler, is deer-resistant, and makes a lovely addition to a cottage garden with shades of white, pink, purple, and blue. 

Serviceberry 

	common name Serviceberry
	botanical name Amelanchier canadensis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 15 to 30 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 3 to 8

Commonly called Juneberry or Saskatoon, history tells us the serviceberry served as an indicator of spring’s arrival in areas with snow and frosty weather conditions, giving way to proper burials in the thawed ground. 

With around 30 species to choose from with various cold hardiness, shapes, and sizes, you can trim and prune them to grow as tall trees or behave more like shrubs. One thing they despise is wet feet, making them perfect for sandy garden areas, especially those on a slope. 

Enjoy their cheerful white flowers in May, with berries appearing in June and July. They’re an excellent food source for native birds, bees, and butterflies. 

Yarrow 

	common name Yarrow
	botanical name Achillea millefolium
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 3 to 9

Yarrow was one of the first flowers I experimented with winter sowing. It’s easy to germinate, forgiving when neglected, and is a reliable perennial in even the poorest soil conditions and types. 

Tiny pollinators like the hoverfly and the “world’s smallest bee,” Perdita minim, are attracted to the dainty petals and sepals. Choose from cultivars in pure white, cotton candy pink, magentas, yellows, and corals. 

Try ‘Red Velvet’ for a pop of candy apple red or ‘Sassy Summer Sunset’ for a wave of orangeish-coral.

Rosemary 

	common name Rosemary
	botanical name Salvia rosmarinus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2 to 6 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 7-10

If you’ve ever purchased a rosemary plant, you may recall it potted in rocks or sandy soil. It prefers loose, loamy potting material, and rich soil that holds onto water may inhibit its growth as it’s prone to root rot.

Adjust your pH to sit between 6.0 and 7.0 for best results. Rosemary is drought-tolerant and should receive fertilizer in late winter. Its earthy aroma, no-fuss beauty, and low-maintenance attitude make it an easy pick for sandy soil landscaping. 

‘Tuscan Blue’ is a tall and strongly-scented option with dark blue flowers that perform more like a shrub, whereas ‘Irene’ spreads slowly, making it an excellent choice for sloped rock walls.

California Poppy

	common name California Poppy
	botanical name Eschscholzia californica
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6 to 24 inches
	hardiness zones USDA 6-10

California poppies feature delicate, papery petals and bright colors, ranging from yellow to orange to deep red. These whimsical flowers prefer poor, sandy soil and will even germinate in gravel or rock gardens. 

If your winter self starts getting twitchy and you need a garden task, try winter sowing California poppies. They require a cold stratification and don’t transplant well, so winter sowing them works well. Scatter them in a prepared garden bed, lightly cover them with leaves, and watch them sprout in spring. 

Allow seeds to dry inside their unique pods, then harvest them for seed-saving. Just be careful not to let them spill out the sides! 

Carrots

	common name Carrots
	botanical name Daucus carota subsp. sativus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 8 to 24 inches
	hardiness zones USDA 3 to 10

Carrots are the outlier in this bunch of 21, a vegetable rather than a flowering plant. Carrots are among the most straightforward and consistently productive crops to grow in sandy soil. The loose nature of sandy soil makes it easy for carrot roots to reach down and maneuver around rocks and other debris without affecting their shape. Plus, what’s cooler than growing food that’s also pretty?

Some early, mid, and late-season varieties perform best in varying temperatures, including cool spring weather and areas with frost. Carrots can tolerate drought, have little pest pressure, and can be grown in various gardens, including containers and raised beds. 

Direct sow carrots and thin them two to three inches apart for the best results. Water them consistently when newly sowed, using a row cover to keep the moisture in during warm spells. Germination can take up to three weeks, so keep weed pressure down.