13 Best Container Plants For Pots Outdoors
Container gardening is a fun and rewarding way to add beauty and greenery to your outdoor spaces. However, selecting the right plants for your pots can be overwhelming with so many options available. To help you get started, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite outdoor potted plants, perfect for summer. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, you’ll find something exciting to try!
Factors to Consider When Choosing Container Plants
Before diving into the list, consider these essential questions to narrow down your choices:
- Sunlight: How much sunlight does your planting area receive?
- Color Preferences: What colors do you prefer for your garden?
- Water Needs: How much water do your plants need?
- Pot Size: What is the size of your pots?
- Type of Pots: What kind of pots will you be using?
- Plant Type: Do you want flowers, foliage, or both?
Once you have an idea of your preferences, you can confidently select plants for your container garden.
12 Best Container Plants for Pots Outdoors
- Coleus Coleus plants are known for their vibrant foliage and adaptability to various sunlight conditions. They thrive in any size pot and require regular watering and well-drained soil.
- Succulents Perfect for low-maintenance gardens, succulents can be planted in small pots or combined in larger containers. They prefer full sun, but some tolerate partial shade. Ensure quick-draining soil and allow it to dry completely between waterings.
- Begonias With a variety of species available, begonias are excellent for adding both colorful flowers and stunning foliage to your container garden. They do well in various pot sizes.
- Creeping Jenny This trailing plant is ideal for hanging baskets or mixed containers. Creeping Jenny grows quickly and can be pruned back as needed, making it a versatile choice for outdoor gardens.
- Impatiens A popular choice for shaded areas, impatiens add a splash of color to any container. They come in various shades and can also thrive in partial sun.
- Canna Lily Known for their tropical look, canna lilies are a striking addition to larger pots. They come in a range of colors and require minimal care, just plenty of water.
- Dracaena With tall, spiky leaves, dracaenas bring height and visual interest to container gardens. Be sure to check the specific species for sunlight preferences.
- Fountain Grass An ornamental grass that thrives in containers, fountain grass adds height and movement to your garden. It performs well in part shade to full sun.
- Hibiscus This tropical shrub produces large, eye-catching flowers. Hibiscus plants require frequent watering to keep their soil moist and thrive in larger pots.
- Sorrel Sorrel is a compact plant with unique, colorful leaves and tiny flowers. It works beautifully in mixed containers, adding a pop of color among the greenery.
- Petunia Petunias are easy to grow and work well both alone or in groups. Their bright blooms make them a favorite for outdoor pots.
- Chlorophytum (Spider Plant) While commonly grown indoors, spider plants also thrive outdoors in shaded pots. Their spiky leaves can be green or variegated, adding contrast to your container arrangements.
- Sweet Potato Vine Sweet potato vines are fast-growing and can quickly cover the sides of your pots. Their attractive foliage makes them a lovely addition to any container garden.
Conclusion
With this list of outdoor potted plants, you’ll find plenty of options to create beautiful and thriving container gardens. Whether you prefer colorful flowers, unique foliage, or a mix of both, there’s a plant here for everyone. Enjoy your container gardening journey and experiment with different combinations to find what works best for your outdoor space!
