
30 Plants and Flowers that Grow in Planters, Pots & Containers
- Hydrangeas (Hydrangeas macrophylla)
- Mandevillas (Mandevilla sanderi)
- Marigolds (Tagetes erecta)
- Petunias (Petunia × atkinsiana)
- Roses (Rosa)
- Angelonia (Angelonia angustifolia)
- Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum morifolium)
- Million Bells (Calibrachoa)
- Geraniums (Pelargonium)
- Begonias (Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum)
- Violas (Violaceae)
- Calibrachoas. Not only do calibrachoas thrive in pots and other containers, the breeder of 'MiniFamous Uno Double PinkTastic', shown here, doesn't recommend growing them in the ground. ...
- Geraniums. ...
- Petunias. ...
- Mandevillas. ...
- Hydrangeas. ...
- Chrysanthemums. ...
- Begonias and Coral Bells. ...
- Impatiens.
What flowers do well in pots?
Flowers for Small Pots
- Delicate Blooms. Flowers that are otherwise lost in the garden can make a dramatic appearance in a small pot. ...
- Mounding Flowers. Nothing says summer like a small flower pot topped with a mound of flowers. ...
- Old-Fashioned Flowers. Pansies (Viola x wittrockiana) and Johnny-jump-ups (Viola cornuta) make charming small pots. ...
- Vining and Sprawling. ...
What is the best container flower?
The Best Spiller Plants for Container Gardens
- Bidens (Bidens ferulifolia)
- Swan River Daisy (Brachycome)
- "Million Bells" (Calibrachoa)
- Annual Candytuft (Iberis)
- Lobelia (Lobelia erinus)
- Nasturtium (Tropaeolum)
- Fan Flower (Scaevola)
- Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata)
- Verbena (Verbena peruviana)
- Wave Petunias (Petunia x hybrida)
What are the best plants for outdoor pots?
These survivors can stay in pots for years, lending consistency to your designs
- ‘Golden Sword’ yucca combines with almost anything. One pot, four seasons. ...
- ‘Green Mountain’ boxwood keeps its color all year. It’s tough, but living in a container will keep it smaller than its normal 5-foot height and 3-foot width.
- Golden creeping Jenny is perfect for the edge of the pot. ...
- Japanese pieris has colorful new growth. ...
What are the best flowers for small containers?
The Best Spiller Plants for Container Gardens
- Bidens (Bidens ferulifolia)
- "Million Bells" (Calibrachoa)
- Annual Candytuft (Iberis)
- Lobelia (Lobelia erinus)
- Nasturtium (Tropaeolum)
- Fan Flower (Scaevola)
- Verbena (Verbena peruviana)
- Wave Petunias (Petunia x hybrida)

What are the best plants to put in planters?
The majority of plants sold in garden centres and online for container planting are annual plants. They're often labelled as 'bedding plants' and common varieties include begonia, pansies, petunia, lobelia and marigolds.
What container flowers bloom all summer?
Easy Annual Plants That Bloom All Summer LongTuberous Begonias. These are actually tender perennials typically grown as annuals. ... Impatiens Walleriana. Also known as busy Lizzie, this subshrubby perennial is usually grown as an annual. ... New Guinea Impatiens. ... Petunias. ... Geraniums. ... Marigolds. ... Calibrachoas. ... Zinnias.More items...
What potted flowers bloom the longest?
Petunias (Petunia spp.) are prized for their nonstop blooming, which continues from spring until the first frost of autumn. Many are trailing varieties that look stunning cascading from a container. Petunias often are grown as annuals, but they are hardy in USDA zones 10 and 11, and thrive in full sun or part shade.
What's the easiest flower to take care of?
24 Can't-Kill Flowers for BeginnersSiberian Iris. Plant them in full sun to part shade, and carefree Siberian irises will bloom in early summer. ... Portulaca. ... Catmint. ... Sunflowers. ... Honey Bee On Aster. ... Zinnia. ... Marigolds. ... Pansies.More items...•
What flowers grow well in containers?
Easy Flowers to Grow in PotsCalibrachoas. Not only do calibrachoas thrive in pots and other containers, the breeder of 'MiniFamous Uno Double PinkTastic', shown here, doesn't recommend growing them in the ground. ... Geraniums. ... Petunias. ... Mandevillas. ... Hydrangeas. ... Chrysanthemums. ... Begonias and Coral Bells. ... Impatiens.More items...•
What plants grow in pots in the summer?
Hang a container of impatiens, spider plant, blooming begonias, ferns and spilling ivy for a dramatic container that thrives in the shade.
What perennials grow best in containers?
Perennials that Typically Overwinter Well in ContainersPulmonaria (Lungwort, Bethlehem Sage)Salvia (Perennial Salvia)Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower)Sedum (Stonecrop)Sempervivum (Hen & Chicks)Thymus (Creeping Thyme)Tiarella (Foamflower)Tradescantia (Spiderwort)More items...•
What large plants grow well in pots?
IN THIS GUIDE Bay Tree. Hebe 'Pink Elephant' Geraniums. Heather. Perennial Plants For Containers. Peruvian Lily. Lavender. Canna Lily. Evergreen Plants For Pots. Temu.More items...•
What flowers can be grown in shade?
Proper drainage and sunlight is key to making sure these golden flowers can flourish. 4. Begonias. With large, ruffled blooms, begonia flowers can add pops of color to your more shaded spaces. Shade, paired with moderate temperatures, and regular watering are key for these tropical flowering plants to thrive.
How to keep purple flowers blooming?
Simply place them in a spot with indirect light, and make sure they stay watered. Proper moisturization is key to ensure the purple flowers make an appearance. Pair with a self-watering planter to make care for this already low-maintenance plant even easier. 7.
How much sun do petunias need?
Though they prefer five to six hours of full sun per day, they don’t require constant watering. Allow the soil surface to dry between watering sessions to avoid root rot.
What is an aster flower?
Daisy-shaped and available in a wide variety of brilliant colors, aster flowers are a beautiful addition to your garden and a great pollinator for butterflies and bees. Aster flowers flourish in full sun and with draining soil. Use a plant pot with plenty of space to allow their roots to grow.
What are some ways to add color to a home?
Flowers are one of the easiest ways to add color to your home. For individuals out there that might not have the best track record with plants and don’t want to mess with more involved landscaping and plant care, here are some of our favorite, easy flowers to grow in planters.
Do pansies like a lot of sun?
Pansies typically prefer a lot of sunlight, and moist soil. Be sure to use a draining potting mix as well as a planter with drainage holes. Pansies are also able to flourish in colder weather, so it’s easy to enjoy their blooms beyond the regular growing season. 9.
Do asters like drier soil?
Water regularly, especially during warmer weather, but keep in mind that asters prefer soil that is a bit drier. 8. Pansies. With bright, multi-colored flowers, pansies add a colorful dimension to your interior and exterior spaces. Pansies typically prefer a lot of sunlight, and moist soil.
What are some good flowers to plant in a balcony?
Daffodils are great flowering plants for balcony container gardens. Learn more about daffodil flower care>>. 7. Dahlias. Dahlia flowers do best in plant containers that are at least 1 by 1 foot, and low-growing and dwarf dahlia varieties are best for container gardening.
What are chrysanthemums called?
Chrysanthemums. Chrysanthemum flower photo by Satdeep Gill. Chrysanthemum flowers, also called mums or chrysanths , come in many varieties and colors that are suitable for a balcony container garden. The two main chrysanthemum variety types are hardy and florist chrysanthemums.
What are the colors of calla lilies?
Calla lily flowers can also come in pink, orange or red, and the dark green, heart-shaped foliage can also be variegated with white spots. Calla lily plants are native to marshlands of South Africa but have gained popularity in gardens in the United States as marginal pond plants and container plants. It is a popular flower for weddings and Easter, and cut calla lily flowers last a long time in floral displays. The calla lily grows to 2 feet tall and can be grown in plant containers, and there are also miniature calla lily varieties that you can keep. Learn more about calla lily flower care>>
How tall do calla lilies get?
It is a popular flower for weddings and Easter, and cut calla lily flowers last a long time in floral displays. The calla lily grows to 2 feet tall and can be grown in plant containers, and there are also miniature calla lily varieties that you can keep. Learn more about calla lily flower care>>. 3. Celosia.
Why are pansies hardy?
Because pansies have been selectively bred by humans, they are hardy and bloom quickly. Flower colors include yellow, gold, orange, purple, red and white, and pansy flowers often have “faces” (think of the singing flowers in Alice in Wonderland). Pansy flowers are easy to care for and do well in container gardens.
When do daffodils bloom?
Daffodills, also called Narcissus, are hardy flowering plants that mostly flower in spring, but several species (such as Narcissus tazetta, commonly called paperwhites) flower in Autumn. All daffodil flowers have a trumpet surrounded by six floral leaves (outer three are sepals, and the inner three are petals).
When do primroses bloom?
Blooming in early spring, the primrose flower is one of the first flowers to bloom after winter. And, luckily, the primrose treats container gardeners with a flowering encore and blooms again in the fall. There are many varieties of primrose that can grow in plant containers, and flower colors include blues, pinks, reds, yellow, orange and purple. Many primrose plants have a bright yellow color in the flower’s center. These are easy container garden flowers that will delight you with beautiful blooms twice a year. Learn more about primrose flower care>>
Why do you need a large planter?
Large planters are a simple way to transform the look of your front porch and add instant curb appeal to your home. Choosing a large planter ensures that everyone can see your beautiful flowers from the street, allows you to grow multiple plants in a single pot and makes it easier to grow strong, healthy container gardens.
How to keep flowers healthy?
After spending so much time planting your flowers, the last thing you want to do is dump out your planter to change the soil, but every year you will need to add new soil in order to keep your plants healthy. Don’t worry, you won’t have to completely dump out your planter.
How to fill a tin can with soil?
Tin cans. After you’ve filled the bottom of your planter with your filler material, cover the materials with a piece of landscape fabric. Then, fill your planter with a lightweight potting soil and plant your flowers. Your plants will have all the soil they need without the extra weight.
Why do planters take so much soil?
Not only does this make your planter extremely heavy, it also wastes a lot of pricey soil because most plants’ root systems won’t be able to reach the soil at the bottom of the planter.
What is a planter spiller?
Spillers: Last but not least, your planter needs a spiller, a vine-like plant that will tumble over the side of the container. These plants should be placed close to the edge of the planter so its tendrils can “spill” over the side of the planter.
What plants make good thrillers?
Ornamental grasses, canna lilies, salvia and elephant ears all make great thrillers. Fillers: Fillers, on the other hand, are the opposite of thrillers. Fillers are billowy, medium height plants that cover the base of the thriller. These plants add volume and texture to your planter.
How to tell if a plant needs water?
To determine whether your plant needs water, stick your finger deep into the soil, all the way to the second knuckle. If the deeper soil layers feel dry to the touch, it’s time to water your plants again. You should also pay attention to the weather.
What are some easy to grow flowers?
These easy-to-grow flowers will help you gain confidence in the garden. Easy annuals such as sunflowers and zinnias are simple to start from seed, perennials require little care and return year after year, and bulbs are practically foolproof when planted properly.
When do lilies bloom?
Blooms spring through early summer in hot climates, into fall in cooler areas
What is the best flower to plant in a flower bed?
Bee Balm ( Monarda) When choosing the best plants to include in your flower bed, it helps to plant with a purpose. Native to North America, the bee balm plant (also known as monarda) is a favorite of important pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
What is a flower bed?
Flower beds make wonderful additions to an outdoor space, providing vibrant pops of color and floral arrangements that can give off a year-round feeling of springtime. Depending on your climate and gardening experience, it is important to create an appropriate plan for your flower bed layout. For example, do you want annuals ...
How many varieties of ornamental sage are there?
Ornamental Sage (Salvia) Thang Tat Nguyen / Getty Images. There are nearly 1,000 different varieties of ornamental sage, and while they come in both annual and perennial types, almost all of them share the same signature jewel-toned colors ranging from blue and purple to red and white.
When do chrysanthemums bloom?
Depending on the variety, garden mums will bloom between September and October when planted in early spring, and are often pinched back to make them bushier and thicker.
When do zinnias bloom?
With the exception of blue, zinnias come in virtually all colors, shapes, and sizes, reaching widths from 12 to 18 inches and blooming in either summer or fall. Be sure to provide well-draining soil when first planting zinnias, as they are prone to rotting if the ground gets too cool or wet.
Is geranium hardy?
While the plants may look delicate, they actually are quite hardy and enjoy hot weather, even holding up in dry conditions.
How to plant 5 plants in a semi circular planter?
For 5 plants in a circular or square planter, you are likely to put 4 of the plants in a square with the 5th plant in the middle (below, center). With a rectangular planter, 5 plants would be a checkerboard with 3 plants along the front and 2 along the back of the planter (photo, right).
How many plants should I plant in a 10x12 planter?
Generally I would use 3 or maybe 4 plants in 10 or 12-inch planters, 4 to 6 plants in a 14 to 16-inch planter and Six to 8 plants in an 16 to 20-inch planter and so on. With the traditional planting, you need to have a bit of patience to get a completely full planter. However, the plants will be healthier because of better root growth. Less crowded containers also have better air flow around the plants helping foliage dry faster which will decrease disease pressure.
How to spread plants evenly in a container?
As you are planting, try and spread the plants somewhat evenly throughout the planting area of the container while leaving some space between the edge of the container and the root ball of the plants. If you do that, your planters will look great.
What is the spacing on a plant tag?
Often spacing is included on plant tags. This spacing refers to the preferred spacing for in-ground plantings. However, you can use this spacing information as one way of estimating final size and vigor. Plants that have a smaller spacing recommendation are generally going to be smaller and less vigorous.
How many plants should I plant in a semi-circular container?
Generally, if you are using 3 plants in a semi-circular container, you would plant one in the middle at the front of the container and the two off-set to either side at the back of the container (below, left). For a round or square container, you will plant them in an equilateral triangle within the container (below, middle) and if it is an oblong or rectangular container you will likely plant them in a row (below, right),
How many plants can you plant in a monocrop?
If you are planting a mono-crop (all one plant), you can simply put one plant in each spot. If you are planting a combination planter (several different plants), you need to pay attention to color, texture, habit and height.
What is a living flower arrangement?
The living flower arrangement is when you place as many plants as possible into each planter. This allows the planter to look full immediately after planting. However, since living flower arrangements are crowded they tend not to have as much longevity and often have greater disease problems than traditional plantings.
Why use fillers in the bottom of a large planter?
Well, the main reason you want to use fillers is to take up space and allow good drainage.
How to prevent mold in a large planter?
Make sure to have at least one drainage hole in the bottom of your large planter to avoid stagnant water . Otherwise bacteria and mold can develop. Some people place a sponge in the bottom of their planter to absorb extra moisture (and prevent dirt from falling out the drainage hole). If your large plant pots and trough planters don’t have a drainage hole, Kevin at Epic Gardening shows how to DIY.
Why is it important to use all soil in a planter?
Soil is heavy. Using all soil makes a large planter heavy and difficult to move. Heavy loads can cause damage to decks or balconies over time. Adding filler allows you to lighten the load, so to speak. Soil compresses under its own weight. Compression can cause soil to compact and affect how well the soil drains.
How to keep soil in place in a container?
Form a barrier between your filler and the soil. You can cut a piece of plastic screen such as soft window screening, a piece of mesh, or some landscape/weed barrier fabric big enough to fit into your container. Place this on top of the filler. This keeps the soil in place and prevents dirt from sliding down into your filler material.
Is newspaper compost good for soil?
Even most newspaper print is now plant-based and safe for composting. And they use it as filler ~ with good results.
Can you use filler in a large container?
Make sure your filler is healthy for whatever you’re planting in your large container, especially if they’re edibles such as herbs or vegetables. You can double-check at your local nursery or gardening store if you have any questions.
Can pine cones be used as filler?
What this means is: if you’re planting annuals in your large planter and decide to use an organic or biodegradable filler such as pine cones in the bottom of your planter, you may notice some (minimal) breakdown. But your filler should last the whole season.
Why do plants have holes in their pots?
As a general rule, plants do not like for their roots to be sitting in soggy soil for too long. If you don’t have holes in your pots, it can be difficult or impossible to know if the roots are sitting in water and how soggy it is down at the bottom of the pot.If the soil is too soggy, then the roots may rot, eventually killing the plant. This is especially true, and can happen really easily, with succulents, cacti and other plants (such as a lot of dracaena, philodendron, and the fiddle-leaf fig) that need the soil to dry out a bit between waterings. If there are holes in the bottom of your pot, then excess water can drain out, preventing the soil and roots from sitting in too much water. But, having holes in your pots can be messy, especially if your plants are inside. Here are some great tips and general rules of (green) thumb that I follow with my plants:
Can patio plants be in pots?
Patio plants: Some have the same situation as houseplants, some are in pots with holes.
Can you put plants on a covered porch?
Also, for outside but covered plants (such as plants on a covered porch or gazebo or anywhere that doesn’t get rained on), you can go either way!
Can you use a planter with holes in the bottom?
First, a super pro tip: Planters with holes in the bottom but with rims or saucers can be used anywhere! Like these:
What to plant in a bag?
Shallow-rooted plants are ideal in the bag because they will not be stunted by the bottom of the bag. Good choices include tomatoes, peppers (capsicum), eggplants, zucchini, cucumbers, marrow, strawberries, French beans, lettuce, potatoes, herbs, and flowers.
How to prop up tall plants?
Prop up tall plants as needed. You will likely need to add support to tall or top-heavy plants. You can use cane sticks to do this. Insert a cane stick into the soil next to the plant. Then, tie the plant to the cane, and attach the cane stick to a frame.
How to cover a grow bag?
If the type of potting mix you’re using isn’t susceptible to drainage, you may need to line the bottom of your grow bag. You can line the bag with clay pebbles or chunky perlite. Put enough of the pebbles or perlite at the bottom of the bag to cover it completely .
How to grow vegetables in limited space?
Plant smaller plants under tall plants to make the most of limited space. When space is a premium and gardening in this way is the only opportunity you have to grow your own vegetables, you can increase the crop by under-planting. For example, if you are growing tomatoes, add some lettuce or radishes underneath the tomatoes. Just be sure to wait until the tomatoes are well grown before planting the under-plants.
How to make room for plants?
Scoop out soil to make room for the plants. Scoop out the soil with your hands or a trowel. Make sure that you’ve scooped out enough soil so that the entire root of the plant can be covered once it has been planted.
Where to put growing bags?
Growing bags are easy to move and can be placed in a variety of locations. They can be put on a balcony, outside in a garden, or in a greenhouse. Consider the amount of sunlight and warmth your plants will need when choosing the location.
Can you plant lettuce under tomatoes?
For example, if you are growing tomatoes, add some lettuce or radishes underneath the tomatoes. Just be sure to wait until the tomatoes are well grown before planting the under-plants. If you plant more than one plant in the same bag, make sure you water them thoroughly. ...
