Low-Maintenance Plants for Holiday Homes and Weekenders: Best Plants for the Mornington Peninsula

Owning a holiday home or weekender on the Mornington Peninsula is a dream lifestyle. But between busy work weeks and short getaways, garden maintenance isn’t always a priority. The solution? Choosing low-maintenance, coastal-hardy plants that look stunning year-round — even when you’re not around.

In this post, we’ll show you the best plants for the Mornington Peninsula that are ideal for holiday homes, rental properties, and relaxed weekenders.

🌿 Why Low-Maintenance Plants Work Best for Weekenders

The Mornington Peninsula offers a unique climate: sandy soils, salt-laden winds, and strong sun in summer. The right plants will:

• Survive long dry spells without watering

• Resist salt, wind and poor soil

• Look great with minimal effort

Best Plants for the Mornington Peninsula (Holiday Homes)

1. Westringia Fruticosa (Coastal Rosemary)

A go-to plant for coastal gardens. It’s hardy, compact, and perfect for low hedging or borders.

• Thrives in: Coastal wind, sandy soil, full sun

• Care: Light trim once or twice a year

• Bonus: Looks neat year-round and great for shaping

  

2. Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos)

An iconic Australian native with stunning upright flowers that attract birds and bring bold colour.

• Thrives in: Full sun, low water conditions

• Care: Remove spent flowers to encourage new growth

• Great for: Feature beds or container planting

3. Lomandra Longifolia (Spiny-headed Mat-Rush)

This tough grass-like native handles neglect, salt, and dry conditions with ease.

• Thrives in: Poor, sandy or clay soil

• Care: Cut back once a year to rejuvenate

• Perfect for: Driveways, borders, and mass planting

4. Pigface (Carpobrotus rossii)

This colourful groundcover is ideal for covering bare sandy patches or rockeries

• Thrives in: Hot, dry, coastal spots

• Care: No watering or trimming required

• Bonus: Bright daisy-like flowers in spring and summer

  

5. Correa (Native Fuchsia)

A beautiful, soft native shrub with delicate bell-shaped flowers.

• Thrives in: Part shade to full sun, sandy soils

• Care: Minimal. Occasional tidy-up if needed

• Ideal for: Naturalistic or cottage-style gardens

🌱 Extra Tips for Holiday Home Gardens

• Mulch well to lock in moisture and reduce weeds

• Use native plants – they’re better adapted to local conditions

• Install a tap timer if you use irrigation – one less thing to worry about

• Avoid fussy ornamentals – stick to plants that thrive on neglect

🏡 Let Benchmark Gardening Help You Create a Care-Free Garden

At Benchmark Gardening, we help property owners across the Mornington Peninsula create functional, beautiful, and low-maintenance gardens. Whether you’re in Sorrento, Rye, Mount Martha or Rosebud, we can recommend the best plants for the Mornington Peninsula, tailored to your specific property and lifestyle.

👉 Want a garden that looks amazing with zero stress?

and we’ll take care of the rest.