7 of the Best Flowers for Containers

calibrachoa in container

You may not have room in your garden to grow every flower you love, but container gardening makes it possible to grow flowers right at your doorstep, patio or balcony. The best flowers for containers are ones that grow well into small spaces but still maintain their full blooming potential. Some of the best flowers to put in planters include calibrachoa, geraniums, pentas, and petunias. So if you’re ready to try creating gorgeous containers or planters, check out our list of the top container performers!

1) Calibrachoa

Calibrachoa, also known as Million Bells, is a fantastic flowering plant that grows exceptionally well in containers. It produces long-lasting flowers with vibrant colors from early summer to late fall. Make sure they have enough sun, about 6 hours per day. It comes in a range of different colors such as red, pink, purple and white. All variations have tiny, brightly colored flowers that grow above attractive lobed leaves. If you’re looking for small plants to fill up your container gardening space with a vibrant, enthusiastic bloomer, then calibrachoa is one of the best options out there.

2) Sweet Potato Vine

For a lovely complement to your flowers, be sure to include sweet potato vine (Ipomoea). These vigorous vines like well-draining potting soil. They’ll thrive in full sun to partial shade. Water well; sweet potato vine can tolerate drier conditions than most other vines. These work exceptionally well in hanging baskets, where the vines hang down in a lovely display.

3) Best Flowers for Containers: Petunias

A classic flower for planters, petunias grow in a variety of colors and sizes. They’re easy to care for, making them perfect for those who don’t have a green thumb. Petunias come in both single and double varieties with most reaching heights between 6 to 12 inches; some varieties reach as high as 24 inches. They look gorgeous on their own or paired with other flowers and vines. For a sure winner, check out Supertunia! Petunias do well in full sun or light shade but need at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. If you live where it gets very hot in the summer months, consider planting your petunia where it gets dappled light.

4) Angelonia

Angelonia are excellent, durable flowers for containers. They require little care and produce gorgeous, fragrant flowers that bloom in shades of purple and pink. Angelonia are adaptable to a variety of settings. As long as they get at least six hours a day of sun they’ll grow happily. The plants only need moderate watering once per week and tolerate both heat and cold quite well.

5) Coleus

Coleus are a great addition to your container garden. They have wonderful, colorful foliage and look great with almost any flowering plant. Coleus also do very well in partial shade, so they’re perfect for covering up less-than-perfect fences or walls. You can keep coleus alive all winter long if you bring them inside. You can grow these plants both indoors and out, but be sure to only use containers that drain completely. If you plan on growing coleus in soil that remains moist at all times, make sure it drains quickly as they don’t like ‘wet feet’. Want to know how to get your coleus to thrive? Check out our guide to coleus care.

6) Best Flowers for Containers: Geraniums

Geraniums are a tried-and-true favorite when it comes to flowers for planters. These hardy flowering plants can handle extreme temperatures and, in some cases, even drought. Geraniums come in a variety of colors and have an especially pleasant scent. They’re great additions to containers on decks or patios!

7) Pentas

If you’re looking to plant a flowering plant in a planter but don’t have much space, pentas are an excellent choice. These small but showy annuals grow well in a variety of containers and colors. Pentas are very easy to care for, too—they only need moderate sunlight, regular watering and average fertilizer. They’re great if you want something that will keep your container garden looking colorful throughout most of the year.

Feeling inspired? Check out our collection of plants for containers and get growing!

You Might Also Like

No Comments

Leave a Comment