Growing plants in containers is a delighgtful way to bring greenery indoors, add height to landscape beds, and deliver color to porches and patios. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, container plants are also extremely practical, especially for gardeners with limited bandwidth.
“Containers are a good way to enjoy a colorful display of flowers without having to weed constantly or get overwhelmed with pest issues that come with larger gardens,” says landscape designer Teresa Watkins. “Containers of flowers are a wonderful design element to welcome people to your home.”
While containers offer beauty and versatility, some plants perform better in them than others. To help you make your plant selection wisely, we consulted gardening experts who shared the best plants to grow in containers.
Philodendron
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Philodendrons (Philodendron spp.) encompass hundreds of species and cultivars that are popular around the world. “The more commonly grown varieties possess heart-shaped leaves on vining stems,” says expert gardener Adrienne Roethling. “They come in green, green and gold, green and white, chartreuse, and green with hints of pink.” As tropical plants, they grow best in warm climates, which is why experts recommend growing philodendrons in containers, so you can bring them inside during cold weather.
Zones: 10 to 12Size: 3 to 30 feet tall x 1 to 15 feet wideCare requirements: Partial sunlight; well-draining soil
Ferns
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Ferns, including Japanese painted fern, holly fern, autumn fern, and maidenhair fern, grow especially well in containers. “Some hardy ferns will withstand severely cold winters while growing in containers,” says Roethling. “They like rich soil such as a mix of compost and pine bark for best results.” Pair their fine texture with other container-loving plants, such as colorful begonias, or display them in standalone containers placed throughout the garden.
Zones: 3 to 8Size: 1 to 6 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wideCare requirements: Partial sunlight; well-draining soil
Begonias
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There are seemingly endless begonia (Begonia spp.) varieties, from those with heart-shaped leaves to ones with angel-wing-like foliage. All cultivars perform well in containers, as container gardening makes it easier to monitor moisture levels. “They bloom all summer long and will do equally well when brought indoors,” says Roethling. “Provide porous soils, such as adding pine bark to potting soil, and allow the soil to go dry between watering.”
Zones: 10 to 11Size: 8 to 24 inches tall x 9 to 12 inches wideCare requirements: Partial sunlight; well-draining soil
Coral Bells
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Coral bells (Heuchera) grow well in the ground and in pots, but their compact size and shallow root system make them especially well-suited to container gardens. “Heuchera are quite hardy and can survive outdoors in winter, both in containers and in the ground,” says Roethling. “Further north, use caution and provide more protection if left in containers.” Additionally, heuchera is drought-tolerant, which is ideal for container planting, as potting soil dries out faster than the ground.
Zones: 3 to 9Size: 6 to 18 inches tall x 6 to 18 inches wideCare requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil
Leopard Plant
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This unique plant performs surprisingly well in containers. Leopard plant (Farfugium japonicum) is low-maintenance, but prefers rich, moist, well-draining soil, which is easier to control when the plant is grown in a pot. According to Roethling, leopard plant can grow year-round in containers, but should be brought inside during colder weather.
Zones: 7 to 9Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil
Caladium
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Caladiums are tropical plants that grow best in pots to avoid root rot due to excessive moisture or improper drainage. “At the end of the growing season, simply remove the leaves, unearth the bulb, and store it in a dark, cool place for winter,” says Roethling. “Ignore it until the following spring season and place it back outdoors when conditions are favorable.”
Zones: 8 to 10Size: 2 to 3 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wideCare requirements: Partial sun; well-draining soil
Coleus
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Coleus are grown for their colorful leaves, which add interest to pots and containers. These plants prefer consistent moisture, which is easier to control when grown in containers rather than in the ground. Roethling notes that coleus plants are heavy feeders and should be fertilized often throughout the growing season. “Water daily to every other day and fertilize with a high nitrogen fertilizer to keep the leaves vibrant throughout the growing season,” she says.
Zones: 10 to 11Size: 2 to 3 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wideCare requirements: Full to partial sun; well-draining soil
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