A patio doesn’t need a garden bed to feel green and inviting. A few well-chosen containers can turn a plain concrete or wooden space into a place filled with flowers, foliage, herbs, and even fresh produce.
Container gardening also gives you more control over where your plants grow. You can move pots to catch more sun, bring tender plants indoors during cold weather, or group several containers together to create a fuller display.
Landscape designer Amy Thompson says, “Potted plants not only add beauty to your patio but also help improve air quality and create a peaceful, natural environment.”
Whether you have a spacious patio, a tiny balcony, or just a sunny corner outside your door, there are plenty of plants that are happy to grow in containers. Here are 16 worth trying.
Geraniums
Geraniums are a classic choice for patio containers, and it’s easy to see why. Their flowers come in shades of red, pink, purple, white, and other colors, giving even a simple pot plenty of personality.
They like plenty of sunlight and moderate watering. Geraniums also work well in hanging baskets, window boxes, and standard patio pots.
If you’re looking for flowers that can keep producing color through much of the growing season, geraniums are a dependable pick.
Related: 14 Indoor Plants Believed to Attract Good Energy
Caladium
Caladiums are all about the foliage. Their large, heart-shaped leaves can feature combinations of green, pink, red, and white, making them stand out even when they’re not flowering.
They prefer partial shade and consistently moist soil, which makes them a good match for patios that don’t receive intense afternoon sunlight.
Keep them away from harsh direct sun if your climate is hot, and give the roots enough moisture without leaving the pot waterlogged.
Mint
Mint is one herb that almost seems to grow too well. Plant it directly in the ground and it can spread much farther than you intended, which makes a container a smart place to keep it contained.
Mint prefers moist soil and can handle partial sunlight. Once established, you can snip fresh leaves for tea, lemonade, desserts, cocktails, and other drinks.
A pot also makes it easy to keep mint from taking over the rest of your garden.
Related: 15 Gorgeous Native Plants to Grow Around Your Home
Lavender
Lavender brings fragrant foliage and purple flowers to a sunny patio. It prefers plenty of sunlight and soil that drains well, making it a natural fit for containers.
It’s also fairly tolerant of dry conditions once established. Avoid keeping the roots constantly wet, since soggy soil can cause problems.
Trim lavender after flowering to help maintain its shape and encourage healthy new growth. Place a pot near a seating area or doorway where you can enjoy its scent.
Petunias
Petunias are practically made for containers. Their colorful flowers come in a huge range of shades, and trailing varieties can spill over the sides of pots and hanging baskets.
They perform best in full sun and need regular watering, particularly during hot weather.
A single large container filled with petunias can create a generous display, while smaller pots can be grouped together around a patio entrance or seating area.
Related: 14 Plants That Turn Vertical Gardens Into Living Walls
Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
Snake plants are a good option for anyone who tends to forget about watering. They tolerate dry conditions and can handle lower-light areas better than many other patio plants.
The upright leaves give them a clean, architectural look that works with many types of outdoor decor.
Snake plants are also commonly discussed as indoor air-cleaning plants. If you’re bringing one indoors, the New York Times Wirecutter has more information about air purifiers and indoor air quality.
If your patio gets strong direct sunlight, introduce the plant gradually to avoid leaf damage.
Begonias
Begonias offer plenty of variety, from colorful flowers to interesting foliage. Wax begonias, tuberous begonias, and other types can all work in containers, depending on your growing conditions.
Many varieties prefer bright, filtered light rather than harsh afternoon sun. Keep the soil lightly moist and make sure excess water can drain from the pot.
Begonias are especially useful for patios that receive morning sun followed by afternoon shade.
Related: 14 Easy-Care Plants That Keep Growing With Little Attention
Tomatoes
You don’t need a vegetable garden to grow tomatoes. A large container can produce a surprisingly good harvest, particularly if you choose a compact or determinate variety.
Tomatoes need plenty of sunlight, regular watering, and a pot large enough to support their roots. Most varieties also benefit from a cage, stake, or other support as the plant grows.
Check the mature size of the variety before planting. A small patio tomato and a sprawling heirloom can require very different amounts of space.
Ferns
A shady patio can still have plenty of greenery. Boston ferns and other container-friendly ferns bring soft, full foliage to areas where flowering plants may struggle.
Ferns usually prefer indirect or filtered light and consistently moist soil. They can also appreciate humid conditions, which makes them a good choice for covered patios in warm climates.
Keep an eye on the soil during hot weather because container-grown ferns can dry out faster than ferns planted in the ground.
Rosemary
Rosemary is one of those plants that earns its place on the patio twice: it looks good and you can actually use it.
Give it plenty of sun and a pot with excellent drainage. Let the soil dry somewhat between waterings rather than keeping it constantly wet.
Regular trimming helps keep the plant bushy. Fresh rosemary can be used with roasted vegetables, chicken, potatoes, breads, and plenty of other dishes.
Impatiens
If your patio is short on sunlight, impatiens can fill the gap. These flowering plants are known for producing plenty of blooms in shaded or partly shaded areas.
They prefer rich, well-draining soil and regular moisture. During hot weather, check the containers often because plants in pots can dry out quickly.
Plant several together in a large container for a fuller display, or mix them with foliage plants for more variety.
Dwarf Citrus Trees
A patio container can even support a small citrus tree. Dwarf lemons, limes, and oranges can produce fragrant blossoms and, under the right conditions, edible fruit.
Choose a large container with good drainage and place the tree somewhere that receives plenty of direct sunlight.
Citrus trees generally need regular feeding and watering during active growth. In colder regions, some varieties may need to be moved indoors or protected during winter.
Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea)
A bamboo palm can give a patio a tropical feel without requiring a huge amount of space. Its feathery foliage works particularly well in larger containers placed in partial shade.
Keep the soil evenly moist but avoid allowing the roots to sit in standing water.
A bamboo palm can also work well on a covered patio where other plants might struggle with intense direct sunlight.
Pansies
Pansies are a favorite for cooler weather and can bring plenty of color to patios during seasons when many summer flowers have finished blooming.
They do well in partial shade and soil that drains freely. Their flowers come in many combinations of purple, yellow, white, blue, and other shades.
Regular deadheading can encourage the plants to keep producing flowers instead of putting their energy into seeds.
Hostas
Hostas are usually associated with garden beds, but they can grow very well in containers too. Their broad leaves make a strong visual statement, especially in shady areas.
Use a roomy container with good drainage and keep the soil consistently moist. Hostas can be paired with impatiens, ferns, or other shade-loving plants for a fuller patio display.
One benefit of growing hostas in pots is that you can move them around more easily if the patio receives too much sun.
Succulents
For a sunny patio where watering is easy to forget, succulents are hard to beat. They store water in their leaves and stems, so many varieties can go longer between waterings than typical flowering plants.
There are countless types to choose from, ranging from compact rosette-shaped plants to trailing varieties that spill over the sides of containers.
Use a pot with drainage holes and a soil mix made for succulents or other plants that dislike wet roots. Give them plenty of sunlight, but watch for signs of sunburn if they’re moved from an indoor setting to intense outdoor light.
The best part of container gardening is that you’re free to experiment. Mix flowers with herbs, place tall plants behind shorter ones, or group several pots of different sizes together. A patio doesn’t need a large garden bed to feel like a garden.
