5 Plants You Can Eat (And Can’t Kill!)
Low-Maintenance Edible Plants for Busy or Forgetful Gardeners
So, You Want to Grow Your Own Food… But You Also Forget to Water?
Listen, we all love the idea of a fresh herb garden or leafy greens straight from our backyard. But let’s be real—sometimes we forget to water, life gets busy, or we just don’t want to deal with needy plants.
The good news? There are plenty of edible plants that thrive on neglect and still provide you with fresh, delicious food without constant babysitting. If you want a low-maintenance edible garden, start with these five foolproof plants that are practically unkillable!
🌱 1. Oregano – The Flavor That Keeps Coming Back
Oregano is the ultimate “set it and forget it” herb. It thrives on tough love, meaning the less you fuss over it, the better it grows!
✔ Drought-tolerant – It actually prefers dry soil!
✔ Perennial – Comes back every year with minimal effort
✔ Great for cooking – Perfect for pizza, pasta, and marinades
👉 Growing Tip: Plant oregano in well-drained soil and let it dry out between waterings. It’ll reward you with stronger, more flavorful leaves when slightly neglected.
🌿 2. Rosemary – Practically a Miniature Tree That Takes Care of Itself
Rosemary is another hard-to-kill herb that thrives with little water and lots of sun. In fact, it hates being overwatered, so it’s perfect for forgetful gardeners.
✔ Drought-resistant – Native to Mediterranean climates
✔ Grows in pots or the ground – Perfect for small spaces
✔ Amazing fragrance – Bonus: It repels bugs like mosquitoes!
👉 Growing Tip: Keep rosemary in a sunny spot (6+ hours of direct light) and prune it occasionally to encourage bushier growth.
🌿 3. Thyme – The Tiny But Mighty Herb
If you want an herb that basically grows itself, thyme is your answer. Once it’s established, it requires almost no maintenance and keeps growing year after year.
✔ Can handle neglect – Thrives in poor soil and dry conditions
✔ Low-growing & spreads beautifully – Works as ground cover
✔ Perfect for cooking – Great for soups, roasted veggies, and meats
👉 Growing Tip: Avoid overwatering—thyme hates soggy soil! If planting in a pot, use a terra cotta planter to help wick away excess moisture.
🌿 4. Mint – The One That (Almost) Grows Too Well
Mint is so hardy that it often becomes invasive—meaning you’ll never have to worry about it dying! This herb spreads fast and comes back year after year with very little care.
✔ Can grow almost anywhere – Full sun or partial shade, indoors or outdoors
✔ Perfect for teas, drinks & desserts – Hello, fresh mojitos!
✔ Naturally repels pests – Ants and aphids hate it
👉 Growing Tip: Plant mint in a container unless you want it taking over your garden! It spreads aggressively, so pots keep it under control.
🥬 5. Kale – The Hardiest Green You’ll Ever Grow
Kale is one of the easiest vegetables for beginners—it’s practically indestructible! It grows in cool or warm weather, handles dry spells well, and keeps producing leaves for months.
✔ Tolerates neglect – Doesn’t mind irregular watering
✔ Cold-hardy – Can survive frost and even taste better after a cold snap
✔ Nutrient-packed – Loaded with vitamins and antioxidants
👉 Growing Tip: Harvest kale leaves from the bottom up, leaving the center intact. This encourages continuous growth all season long!
🌿 Final Thoughts: Grow More, Worry Less!
If you want to grow fresh food but don’t have the time (or memory) to water constantly, these five easy plants are perfect for you. They thrive on neglect, give you delicious herbs and greens, and make gardening effortless!
🌱 Want to try more foolproof edible plants? Stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll share five more hard-to-kill, delicious plants!
💌 Want More Gardening Tips? Sign Up to Be Notified When My 7-Day Salad Garden Guide Launches!
I’m putting together a step-by-step guide to help you grow fresh greens in just one week—perfect for new gardeners!