For most, patios are outdoor rooms – a wonderful, open-air extension of the house. In fact, whether it’s for family get-togethers, entertaining guests, or hanging out with friends, your patio is where people gather.
There are quite a few plants that will grow just fine in containers out on the patio. That means anyone can enjoy a lush, colorful outdoor space even if it happens to be small.
Container Plants for Your Patio
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Whether your patio receives full sun or is a shady space surrounded by trees, there is a plant to make it even more beautiful.
Here are 10 plants to transform your patio into a living, green oasis.
Croton
You may see have seen croton plants in the houseplant section of the garden center. They make excellent patio plants. Crotons will grow larger with the sun and rain of the outdoors, too.
(Photo: Karl Thomas Moore/Flickr)
Nemesia
The tiny flowers of the nemesia look like little snapdragons. They bloom from spring to fall. The plant prefers part sun in hot climates with some afternoon shade. In cooler climates, you can situate them in a corner of the patio that receives full sun.
Succulents
Succulents are easy to grow and they come in a vast variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Some types tolerate extreme cold. Once established, these plants thrive in full sun. They are drought-tolerant, too.
Sunflowers
A planter full of bright yellow or orange sunflowers will brighten up any patio. Most of the smaller sunflower varieties grow well in a pot. Depending on the variety, the plants will provide both flowers and edible seed.
Begonias
Few plants tolerate such a wide variety of growing conditions as the begonia. The plant’s robust stems help begonias endure drought. They are also equally happy in sun or shade, which makes them perfect patio plants.
Bamboo
Once considered an exotic plant, many gardeners have learned that bamboo is a versatile and vigorous addition to the home garden. You can create a Zen-like atmosphere in your patio with a bamboo plant. You can keep the plant small if space is limited or allow them to grow to provide privacy.
Hibiscus
Big blooms and bright colors make the tropical hibiscus the star of many patios. To keep the blossoms coming until fall, make sure your plant receives a lot of sunshine and water. The tropical hibiscus is very sensitive to cold temperatures. The plant looks best in temperatures between 20°C and 32°C.
Gardenias
Prized for its fragrance, you can grow the gardenia as a patio plant in full sun or partial shade. The plant’s roots are sensitive to disruptions. For this reason, you need to choose a large, long-term container for the plant.
Mandevilla
The mandevilla is a flowering vine. You’ll need to provide something the plant can climb. If you have that, then it’s well worth the space and effort. The mandevilla’s lovely trumpet-shaped flowers bloom in stunning shades of red, white, and pink.
Million Bells
Million bells will give your patio a splash of showy tubular blooms like petunias. They thrive in warm temperatures. Many like to add the plants to the edge of patio urns, allowing the plant to drape itself over the sides.
Versatile and Attractive
When choosing patio plants, you should consider how much sun or shade your patio receives throughout the day. In general, plants that need full sun need six or more hours of direct sunlight a day.
Plants that like “part sun,” on the other hand, will flourish with about three hours of sun in the morning. Shade lovers need all day shade. At the very least, they’ll endure a bit of early morning sun.
Container gardening allows you to enjoy the benefits of a broad range of garden plants even in a small outdoor space. That’s because container gardens are versatile, attractive, and easy to care for, making them an excellent addition to your patio.
