Container gardening is a fantastic way to bring life and color to your outdoor spaces, whether you have a sprawling garden or a small urban balcony. Pots and containers allow you to grow a wide variety of plants, from vibrant flowers to lush foliage, in areas where traditional gardening might not be possible. In this blog, we’ll explore 31 of the best flowers for pots and containers, each with its own unique characteristics and requirements. Whether you’re looking to add a splash of color to your porch or create a lush, green oasis on your patio, these flowers are sure to thrive in your potted garden.
1. Angelonia (Angelonia angustifolia)
Angelonia, also known as the summer snapdragon, is a heat-tolerant plant that thrives in full sun. Its spikes of flowers in shades of purple, pink, and white are perfect for adding height and texture to containers. Angelonia is low-maintenance, making it ideal for gardeners who want beautiful blooms without a lot of fuss.
2. Annual Vinca (Catharanthus roseus)
This tough, heat-loving annual is a standout in containers. With its semi-trailing habit, Annual Vinca is perfect for hanging baskets or as a filler in mixed containers. Its vibrant blooms last all season long, and it performs well in both full sun and partial shade.
3. Caladium (Caladium spp.)
Caladiums are known for their bold, tropical foliage that adds a splash of color to shaded areas. Perfect for porches and patios with limited sunlight, these plants thrive in warm temperatures and moist, organically rich soil. Their leaves come in a variety of colors, from red and pink to green and white.
4. Coleus (Coleus scutellarioides)
Coleus is a versatile plant that can be grown in both sun and shade. With its stunning foliage in a range of colors and patterns, Coleus adds visual interest to any container. It pairs well with flowering plants, and its colorful leaves provide a striking contrast.
5. Dichondra (Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’)
Dichondra is a cascading plant that’s perfect for adding a trailing effect to your containers. Its silver foliage stands out in any setting, and it’s particularly striking in hanging baskets or when spilling over the edges of pots. Dichondra is drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun.
6. French Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla)
French Hydrangeas are a classic choice for container gardening, especially compact varieties like ‘Pink Elf’. These plants prefer morning sun and afternoon shade, making them perfect for patios. Their large, showy blooms in shades of pink, blue, and white are a stunning addition to any space.
7. Geranium (Pelargonium spp.)
Geraniums are a timeless favorite for container gardens. Their bright, colorful blooms last all summer, and they’re easy to care for with regular watering and deadheading. Geraniums thrive in full sun but can also tolerate light shade, making them versatile for various locations.
8. Heuchera (Heuchera spp.)
Heuchera, also known as coral bells, is prized for its ruffled foliage that comes in a wide range of colors, from burgundy to chartreuse. This plant is a great filler for containers, adding texture and color. It’s also winter-hardy in many regions, providing year-round interest.
9. Lantana (Lantana spp.)
Lantana is a vibrant, easy-care plant that attracts butterflies with its clusters of multi-colored blooms. It’s drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun, making it an excellent choice for hot, sunny locations. Lantana is available in both mounding and trailing varieties, perfect for pots and hanging baskets.
10. Mandevilla (Mandevilla sanderi)
Mandevilla is a tropical vine that produces large, trumpet-shaped flowers in bright shades of red, pink, and white. It’s ideal for growing in large pots with a trellis, where it can climb and create a lush, floral display. Mandevilla prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
11. Million Bells (Calibrachoa x hybrida)
Resembling miniature petunias, Million Bells are prolific bloomers that add color to containers all summer long. They’re perfect for hanging baskets or as a trailing plant in mixed containers. Million Bells don’t require deadheading and thrive in full sun.
12. New Guinea Impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri)
New Guinea Impatiens are perfect for adding color to shaded areas. Unlike traditional impatiens, they can tolerate more sunlight and produce large, vibrant flowers in a variety of colors. These plants are ideal for containers on shaded porches or patios.
13. Pansy (Viola spp.)
Pansies are a cool-weather favorite, known for their cheerful, face-like blooms. They’re perfect for planting in early spring or fall, providing color when many other plants are dormant. Pansies prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.
14. Pentas (Pentas lanceolata)
Pentas are a drought-tolerant plant that produces clusters of star-shaped flowers, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. They thrive in full sun and are available in a range of colors, including red, pink, and white. Pentas are perfect for adding a tropical touch to your container garden.
15. Scaevola (Scaevola aemula)
Also known as fan flower, Scaevola is heat-tolerant and requires little water, making it ideal for hot, sunny locations. Its trailing stems are perfect for hanging baskets or the edges of containers, where its blue, pink, or white flowers can cascade over the sides.
16. Sedum (Hylotelephium spp., Sedum spp.)
Sedums are succulents that thrive in well-drained soil and full sun. They’re available in a variety of shapes and sizes, from tall varieties to low-growing ground covers. Sedums are drought-tolerant and require minimal maintenance, making them ideal for container gardens.
17. Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas)
Sweet Potato Vine is a popular choice for adding lush, colorful foliage to containers. Available in shades of lime green, deep purple, and variegated patterns, it’s perfect for filling out mixed containers or spilling over the edges of pots.
18. Wave Petunia (Petunia x hybrida)
Wave Petunias are known for their vigorous growth and abundant blooms. They don’t require deadheading and are perfect for filling large containers or hanging baskets with color. Wave Petunias thrive in full sun and bloom from spring until frost.
19. Winged Begonia (Begonia spp.)
Winged Begonias, such as the ‘Dragon Wing’ variety, are perfect for adding a splash of color to shaded areas. Their waxy, bright blooms are long-lasting, and the plant’s trailing habit makes it ideal for hanging baskets or the edges of containers.
20. Zinnia (Zinnia spp.)
Zinnias are a vibrant, easy-to-grow plant that produces bright, cheerful blooms in a range of colors. They thrive in full sun and are perfect for containers, where they can provide continuous color from summer until the first frost.
21. African Daisy (Osteospermum spp.)
African Daisies are sun-loving plants that produce daisy-like flowers in a variety of colors, including purple, pink, and white. They’re perfect for containers in sunny locations, where they’ll bloom from spring through fall.
22. Begonia (Begonia spp.)
Begonias are versatile plants that thrive in both sun and shade. They’re available in a wide range of colors and forms, from the delicate wax begonias to the bold, large-flowered tuberous begonias. Begonias are perfect for adding color to shady spots in your garden.
23. Blue Lobelia (Lobelia erinus)
Blue Lobelia is a compact, trailing plant that produces masses of small, blue flowers. It’s perfect for adding a splash of color to the edges of containers or hanging baskets. Lobelia thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil.
24. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Creeping Jenny is a low-growing, trailing plant with bright green foliage that spills over the edges of containers. It’s perfect for adding a touch of greenery to your container garden and thrives in full sun to partial shade.
25. Dusty Miller (Senecio cineraria)
Dusty Miller is a silver-leaved plant that adds a striking contrast to colorful blooms in containers. It’s drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun, making it an excellent choice for hot, sunny locations.
26. Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.)
Fuchsias are known for their delicate, pendulous flowers that are perfect for hanging baskets or shaded containers. They thrive in cool, shady conditions and produce blooms in shades of pink, purple, and white.
27. Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.)
Hydrangeas are a classic choice for containers, especially compact varieties like ‘Little Lime’ or ‘Bobo’. They thrive in partial shade and produce large, showy blooms in a variety of colors, from pink to blue to white.
28. Ivy Geranium (Pelargonium peltatum)
Ivy Geraniums are trailing plants that produce clusters of bright flowers in shades of red, pink, and white. They’re perfect for hanging baskets or window boxes and thrive in full sun to partial shade.
29. Marigold (Tagetes spp.)
Marigolds are a popular choice for containers, known for their bright, cheerful blooms in shades of yellow, orange, and red. They’re easy to grow, drought-tolerant, and thrive in full sun.
30. Ornamental Pepper (Capsicum annuum)
Ornamental Peppers add color and interest to containers with their bright, colorful fruits. They’re perfect for sunny spots and can provide color throughout the growing season.
31. Verbena (Verbena spp.)
Verbena is a heat-tolerant plant that produces clusters of small, colorful flowers. It’s perfect for adding color to containers in sunny locations and blooms from spring through fall. Creating a beautiful potted garden is easy with these 31 amazing flowers for pots and containers. Whether you’re looking to add a pop of color, attract pollinators, or create a lush green oasis, there’s a plant on this list that’s perfect for your needs. With the right care and attention, these flowers will thrive in your containers, providing beauty and enjoyment throughout the growing season. So, grab your pots, fill them with high-quality soil, and get planting! Your potted garden oasis awaits.
