9 Cascading Flowers That Thrive in Window Boxes

Window boxes can instantly make your home look more colorful and inviting. Gardeners can use them to elevate a front porch or add appeal to a deck or balcony. No matter how you display them, the key to designing eye-catching window box arrangements is to include trailing plants that spill over the edge of the container, creating a lush, layered look all season. From vibrant pollinator plants to delicate vines, we spoke to gardening experts who shared their favorite trailing flowers for window boxes.

Meet Our Expert

Angela Judd, certified master gardener, author of How to Grow Your Own Food, and founder of Growing in the Garden

Related: The Best Types of Flowers for Your Window Boxes

01 of 09

Sweet Potato Vine

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Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas) is a fast-growing trailing plant admired for its beautiful, heart-shaped foliage that comes in chartreuse, deep purple, bronze, and variegated colors. This plant does especially well in window boxes, as its roots prefer confined spaces, says Linda Langelo, horticulture specialist at Colorado State University.

For optimal growth, Langelo says to ensure the sweet potato vine receives full sun, consistent moisture, and well-draining soil. But be careful not to overwater, as it is susceptible to root rot. Cut it back as needed to keep it from taking over the other plants in your window box arrangement.

02 of 09

Trailing Lantana

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Trailing lantana (Lantana montevidensis) is a striking annual that produces clusters of small flowers in purple, lavender, yellow, white, and pink, depending on the variety, says certified master gardener Angela Judd. It spills beautifully over the edges of window boxes and will continue to bloom, even on hot, sunny days.

Grow it in full sun containers with well-draining potting soil for healthy, lush results. “Avoid overwatering and heavy fertilizer, which will ruin blooming,” Judd says. “It may need trimming if it starts to outgrow the box.”

03 of 09

Verbena

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Verbena (Verbena officinalis) is an excellent filler plant for window boxes. “It forms clusters of small flowers in purple, pink, red, white, and bicolor shades,” says Judd. “It doesn’t usually trail as dramatically as sweet potato vine or lantana, but it mounds and spills over the front of a box.”

Perfect for summer arrangements, verbena tolerates heat well and can withstand some dry spells. Langelo recommends adding a balanced fertilizer during the growing season and deadheading regularly to encourage continuous blooms.

04 of 09

Annual Vinca

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Annual vinca (Catharanthus roseus) is a charming addition to window boxes. It yields glossy green leaves that give way to cheerful, five-petaled flowers that come in shades of pink, white, and red, Judd says.

The perfect addition to low-maintenance plantings, annual vinca doesn’t require deadheading, tolerates some neglect, and often recovers from drought. “Don’t bury the crown or overwater—that can lead to rot,” Judd warns.

05 of 09

Blue Daze

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Add a pop of vibrant blue to window containers with blue daze (Evolvulus spp.), which is grown for its silver-green foliage and bright blue blooms. “It has a low, spreading habit and can trail over the edges of window boxes,” says Judd. “It likes full sun, well-draining soil, and moderate, consistent water. It’s drought-tolerant once established, but in a window box, it will still need regular watering during hot weather.”

06 of 09

Moss Rose

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Moss rose (Portulaca) is one of the best warm-weather trailing flowers for small window boxes. “It has succulent foliage and bright, cheerful flowers in shades of pink, orange, yellow, red, white, or multicolored,” says Judd.

This heat-tolerant plant thrives in full sun and tolerates drier soil better than many flowering plants. Ensure the potting soil is well-draining, as moss rose doesn’t tolerate wet feet.

07 of 09

Ivy Geranium

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Ivy geranium (Pelargonium peltatum) is a type of trailing geranium that comes in various color combinations and patterns. This plant tolerates sun and shade, meaning it can thrive in just about any location. Plus, its roots do well in small spaces, such as a window box container.

Ivy geranium needs well-draining soil, a balanced fertilizer during the growing season, and occasional pruning. “It’s best to pinch back leggy stems and remove spent flowers,” Langelo says.

08 of 09

Nasturtium

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Nasturtium is a hero in the garden. It is an excellent pollinator flower and also helps repel bad bugs from your yard. Plus, it’s beautiful. Tropaeolium majus is a double-flowering variety that can climb or hang over a window box. “Its flowers are bright red with long spurs. The leaves are light green with wavy margins,” says Langelo.

These plants love to be slightly rootbound and a window provides the perfect environment for them to thrive. “They are drought-tolerant and love sunny locations. They thrive in poorer soils, such as potting mixes that don’t have a high nutrient content and are designed to be lighter for better drainage,” Langelo adds.

09 of 09

Creeping Zinnia

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Creeping zinnia (Sanvitalia procumbens) is a compact, spreading plant that forms a low mound that beautifully spills over the edge of a window box. Its bright yellow flowers add a pop of summer color to arrangements.

With proper drainage and full sun, this flowing plant will thrive in any window box. Creeping zinnia is drought-tolerant and grows profusely in compact spaces like pots and containers. Langelo recommends deadheading lightly to encourage flowering.

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