10 Beautiful Plants for Pots to Brighten Up Your Outdoor Space

No matter how small your outdoor space, a container garden can brighten up your porch, patio, or deck with a splash of sumptuous summer color. From angel’s trumpets to zinnias, we look at 10 plants that are perfect for pots.

1. Cape Daisy

The cape daisy is a cheerful, forgiving plant that is hardy to 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Cape daisies come in a myriad of colors, including shades of pink, blue, purple, white, yellow, and orange, many types incorporating a darker-colored contrasting eye. Cape daisies are at their happiest when positioned in full sun or partial shade. They benefit from having their spent blooms removed, even if the tags suggest deadheading is not required. Provided that you fertilize the plant regularly and ensure it has adequate drainage, it should last well into fall.

2. Angelonia

Contrary to its delicate appearance, angelonia is actually quite heat tolerant and likes to be positioned in full sun. Also known as the summer snapdragon, the species does not need to be deadheaded to keep blooming all summer long. Available in white, pinks, mauves, and purples, angelonia is perfect for combining with trailing herbs for a beautiful, aromatic country cottage effect.

3. New Guinea Impatiens

New Guinea impatiens are low-demand plants. Simply plant them, keep them watered, and enjoy them until the first frosts arrive. New Guinea impatiens need little in the way of maintenance since they are self-cleaning plants, dropping spent blooms without human intervention. Other than shade, they simply require regular watering, their fleshy leaves drooping the instant the soil becomes too dry. Although they perk up once they receive a good watering, allowing them to dry out repeatedly will stress them, affecting foliage and blooms.

4. Euphorbia

This lesser-known species produces a froth of tiny flowers similar to baby’s breath. Despite its frilly appearance, euphorbia is as tough as nails, making it the perfect addition to pots situated in sun or partial sun. This pest-hardy perennial family encompasses around 300 genera and 7,500 species. With such a diverse genus, there are species that do well in virtually any part of North America. Wearing gloves when handling euphorbia is recommended since it can be a skin irritant.

5. Zinnia

Zinnias are colorful annuals that are perfect for growing in containers, provided your pot is at least 6 inches deep. Gardeners recommend growing zinnias from seed directly in the pot rather than transplanting them. They need a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight, with soil that is moist but not soggy. Despite their delicate flowers, zinnias are actually quite hardy, thriving all summer long in zones 3 through 10. Zinnias come in an array of colors and have a long bloom cycle, potentially flowering to the first frosts of fall.

6. Angel’s Trumpet

In full bloom, an angel’s trumpet presents an arresting display of hanging, trumpet-shaped flowers that can each reach more than a foot long, depending on the cultivar. The plant prefers to be situated in full sun and planted in moist, well-drained soil. Capable of reaching up to 6 feet or more in height, angel’s trumpet is suitable for zones 7 through 11. The blooms release an enticing, sweet aroma after dark. For families with children or pets, the plants should be placed out of reach since all parts are poisonous if ingested.

7. Blue Star Creeper

Forming a froth of foliage and masses of lavender blue, star-shaped flowers, the blue star creeper tolerates a variety of growing conditions. It blooms repeatedly, but shearing it mid-season will encourage a second flush of flowers. This herbaceous creeper is actually native to Australia. It is ideal for container gardening since it can become somewhat invasive if left unchecked in the garden.

8. Persian Shield

The Persian shield’s shiny purple foliage makes a striking contrast for bright-colored flowers. Best positioned in partial shade, the species produces pale blue blossoms in late summer and fall. Capable of being overwintered indoors as a houseplant, this tender perennial needs regular watering and should not be allowed to dry out, otherwise it will drop its beautiful iridescent purple leaves.

9. Hydrangea

Dwarf varieties of this popular flowering shrub are perfect for planting in pots, reaching only 2 to 3 feet tall. In the past decade, an explosion of new hydrangea varieties have hit the market, producing blooms of many different colors, including blue, pink, purple, white, and, and even lime green. Hydrangeas not only make great cut flowers, but also dry beautifully, providing an indoor display long after their blooms have disappeared outside.

10. Roses

Generally associated with landscape planting, many shrub rose varieties work well in pots, too. Newer cultivars tend to offer more disease resistance than old school varieties, reducing the need for spraying and special care. Roses do best in a sunny position, providing an elegant focal point for any patio.