What kind of plant or flower will grow in hot, full sun in Southern California?

Question

I need a plant or flower that I can keep in a pot that can stand being in full sun. My pation gets the hottest afternoon sun, and everything I buy just dies because it is too hot.
I prefer no cactus or succulents.
It can be any size as long as I can keep it in a pot.

Answer 1

I'm in your area and have blazing hot sun across my patio from the early morning to the late afternoon. Here is what I grow in my container garden: Geraniums, herbs, tomato plants, petunias, bottle brush, sweet pea bushes, ficus, rosemary bushes and even dwarf citrus (lemon and lime).

The trick is watering the containers more often. I water in the early morning hours and then around dinner time. I've also started using liquid fertilizer, careful not to blast their little leaves during the heat. Another trick is to lift the pots off of the hot concrete. I got these little terra cota "feet" at the Lowes that I put under the pots. That way they are lifted up and can get air flow under them.

Answer 2

Try some inpatients, the do great in full sun in a pot. If you decide to transplant tem in the yard, look out...they will spread like wildfire. They bloom every 2-3 weeks. I am in the Central Valley & I have great luck with any type of Palm, Rose or Bulb in full sunlight.

Answer 3

The biggest problem with pots in full son is trying to keep the soil moist. You should be able to grow most any full son type of flower in the pot if you use a drip watering system.

Answer 4

Mesembryanthemums - unusual metallic daisy like flowers best in full sun.

Answer 5

Bougainvillea

Answer 6

Try marigolds, Delphinium, Nasturtium, or Sweet William!

Answer 7

Petunia is great in full sun. Make sure you take the dead ones off when they die so more will grow. Good luck