16 Patio Plants That Love Living in Pots and Containers!
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Picture yourself stepping onto your patio, catching a beautiful tableau of flowers spreading green and full of color in a place of serenity–your own home. Landscape designer Amy Thompson states, “Potted plants not only add beauty to your patio but also help improve air quality and create a peaceful, natural environment.”
According to a 2022 survey from the National Gardening Association, 56% of homeowners put money into container gardening to add beauty to their outdoor spaces. Potted plants present various design options regardless of whether you have a large patio or a small balcony. These 17 patio plants LOVE container gardens.
Geraniums
These colorful, long-blooming flowers occur in deep reds, pinks, and purples, which are great for containers. Sunny spots and moderate watering love geraniums.
I adore them because they add an instant pop of color and perform well in hanging pots or window boxes.
Caladium
With heart-shaped pink, red, or green leaves, caladium is valued for its strikingness. This tropical plant thrives in partial shade and will grow best in constantly moist soil, making it an excellent plant for shaded patios.
Mint
Mint is perfect for beginner gardeners as it will grow with almost no effort. Planted in the ground, it is invasive, so container gardening is good. Mint prefers partial sunlight and moist soil, so the plant produces fresh leaves to make teas and drinks all year round.
Lavender
Lavender is known for its calming smell and likes to grow in sunny conditions and well-drained soil. It is also tolerable to a dry spell, making this Mediterranean plant perfect for containers and bringing Mediterranean charm to your patio.
It should be pruned to encourage further blooms and to keep the shape.
Petunias
Varieties of petunias abound in containers in all colors and offer dramatic cascading blooms that are absolute garden beauties. Loving full sun, this annual requires regular watering to foster full bloom.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
The hardy snake plant is a known air purifier and does great in pots. This low-maintenance plant can cope with low light and irregular watering and is an ideal patio companion for busy gardeners.
Begonias
Their colorful flowers and foliage make them valued. They do well in containers with filtered sun and regular water. Numerous varieties of begonias, from tuberous to wax, are available, providing versatility for your patio design.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are nutritional and grow well in patio containers. Dwarf or determinate varieties are preferred and must be planted in full sunlight.
Use stakes or cages for support. Water them regularly for a bountiful harvest.
Ferns
Shady patios are excellent for various ferns, like Boston or maidenhair ferns. Their foliage will add softness and elegance to any space. For best growth, keep their soil moist and exclude direct sunlight.
Rosemary
Using a fragrant herb such as Rosemary combines its beauty with its use. It will grow in full sun; well-drained soil is preferred. Cut it regularly to make it bushy, and use its leaves as culinary additions and aromatherapy.
Impatiens
Nonstop blooms in continuous vibrant colors and are ideally suited for shaded areas. Given rich, well-draining soil and regular watering, they love to thrive in your shaded patio, feeling like a floral wonderland.
Dwarf Citrus Trees
Lemons, limes, and oranges add a tropical accent to your yard and are fantastic for larger patio containers because they’re compact citrus trees. Please place them in the full sun and well-draining soil.
They’re irresistible: fragrant blossoms and edible fruit.
Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea)
A bamboo palm adds an exotic touch to your patio. This palm does well in consistently moist soil, is perfect for shaded or partially lit patios, and will bring you a touch of the tropics with little effort.
Pansies
Pansies do best in cooler climes and make a good winter patio display. They love the partial shade, well-drained soil, and cheerful, colorful blooms. Deadheading regularly makes flowers last longer.
Hostas
Hostas are typically grown in the ground but deal well enough with container gardening. Their foliage makes a striking display with flowers against shady patios and rich, moist soil. Try grouping them with impatiens for a multi-planed effect.
Succulents
Container plants don’t require any lower maintenance than succulents, which are the poster children for low-maintenance container plants. Because they can live with very little water, they are perfect for dry, sunny patios.
They come in different shapes and colors and will undoubtedly add that trendy vibe to any space.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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