Ready to transform your space into a vibrant, blooming oasis? You’ve come to the right place. Growing perennial plants in pots offers endless possibilities, allowing you to create a stunning container gardenthat can be enjoyed year-round. From sunny patios to shady balconies, container plants bring life and color to any setting.
Imagine stepping onto your balcony and being greeted by a riot of vibrant blooms, blue flowers, and lush foliage. With the right selection of container perennials, you can achieve this dreamy scene effortlessly. The key is to choose the right potting mix, ensure proper drainage holes, and pick plants that thrive in well-drained soil.
Let’s dive into the best perennials for pots and get ready to create a container garden masterpiece!
Best Perennials for Pots
1. Coreopsis
Coreopsis is a cheerful, low-maintenance flowering plant perfect for garden beds, borders, and containers. Thriving in USDA zones 3–9, some varieties are perennials while others are annuals. To get the best bloom production, plant your coreopsis in a well-draining potting mix that receives six to eight hours of full sun daily. These sun-loving beauties aren’t fans of poorly drained, low spots, so make sure they bask in plenty of sunlight for at least 6 to 8 hours a day.
It grows best in well-draining soil, keeping the soil surface moderately moist. Pair them with ornamental grasses or fountain grass for a stunning early summer display in your garden bed or containers.
2. Gaillardia
Gaillardias are a delightful addition to any garden, and they can be sown directly into pots for a stunning display. To start, sow 3-4 seeds in an 8″ pot, covering them lightly with soil. Plant the seeds about 4-6 mm deep and water lightly. Keep your pots in the shade until the seeds germinate in about 10-12 days. Once they’re up and growing, move them to a sunny spot, as Gaillardias love basking in the morning sun.
Grow these vibrant beauties in a sunny border or large pot with free-draining, low-nutrient soil—no need for fertilizer! Gaillardias, whether annual or perennial, are incredibly easy to grow from seed or as established plants. They are winter hardy and, once established, they become drought-tolerant. These plants can reach a few feet tall and dazzle with blooms from late spring to early fall.
3. Sedum
With their shallow roots, sedum is a fantastic choice for container gardening. They thrive beautifully as long as they have excellent drainage. Whether you’re using a well-draining potting mix or a special succulent potting mix, sedum will flourish. The container size should depend on the height and spread of your chosen variety. These beautiful perennials are perfect for adding long-lasting blooms to your garden.
Sedum makes fabulous container plants! Start by picking a pot that’s no more than double the width of the plastic container the sedum came in. Compact varieties are especially suited for containers, creating a stunning display of new blooms throughout the growing season. These plants are also rabbit-resistant, adding to their appeal for any gardener.
4. Coral Bells
Coral bells grow beautifully in containers, adding vibrant color and texture to your garden. To ensure they thrive, ensure your pot has a drainage hole at the bottom for excess water to escape. If you’d like them to return next year, consider transplanting them into the landscape in early fall. For gardeners in zones 6b or warmer, coral bells can even be overwintered in their containers.
These versatile beauties are perfect for container gardening, especially if you’re short on space in your garden beds. Choose from several varieties to create a stunning display of foliage and blooms throughout the season. Remember to feed them regularly with a water-soluble fertilizer to keep them looking their best from spring to summer and into fall. With their attractive foliage and vibrant flower blooms, coral bells are a fantastic addition to any garden, providing year-round interest and color.
5. Lavender
Lavenders are a fantastic choice for pots, happily thriving in containers. The half-hardy types especially love the cozy confines of a terracotta pot filled with light, well-draining potting mix. Find the sunniest spot in your yard because lavender plants are sun-loving perennials that need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive.
If you’re growing lavender indoors, placing your potted lavender on a sunny windowsill that receives at least 8 hours of direct sunlight daily can also work wonders. These fragrant beauties add color to your landscape and attract bees and butterflies with their aromatic blooms. Ensure your pots have good drainage to prevent waterlogged roots and keep up with regular watering.
6. Hostas
When selecting hosta plants for your containers, go for the small varieties like Whirlwind and save those massive beauties for your backyard landscape. Hostas in containers thrive best in light to moderate shade, with a spot that gets morning light being ideal. These perennial favorites are perfect for container gardening, offering a delightful mix of texture and color.
Hostas come in thousands of cultivars, each with unique foliage and stunning blooms that can even feature shades of pink in the spring. They are super easy to care for, making them the perfect choice for busy or even slightly distracted gardeners.
7. Thyme
Thyme is a versatile herb that thrives in small to medium pots with good drainage, ideally at least 30cm deep and 30cm wide. This culinary and aromatic gem is perfect for adding flavor to your dishes and beauty to your garden. The best container for growing thyme is a clay planter. While other pots work just fine, clay pots allow the soil to dry out between watering, preventing the roots from getting too soggy since thyme isn’t a fan of overly wet conditions.
Plant your thyme in a sunny spot to ensure it gets plenty of light. Thyme produces lovely flowers that add a splash of color to your container garden. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, thyme is a fantastic choice that’s easy to care for and endlessly rewarding.
8. Bellflower
Most bellflowers shine brightest in full sun, though some woodland species thrive in part shade and full shade. However, for the most dazzling flower display, it’s best to plant your bellflowers in full sun. These charming plants grow to a height of up to 15cm with a spread of 50cm, making them perfect for pots, baskets, and rockeries.
Imagine adding new plants like bellflowers to your garden alongside your shasta daisies. Their compact varieties fit beautifully in small spaces, creating a vibrant, colorful display.
9. Viola
Violas are garden superstars, bringing versatility and charm to various settings. Whether you’re potting them as a collection of individual varieties, like auriculas, or mixing them together, violas shine in pots. They also pair beautifully with other plants in mixed containers, making them a delightful addition to any garden.
These amazing annual plants can withstand cold winters and thrive in both landscapes and containers, making them a favorite among gardeners in Mississippi.
10. Ornamental Grass
One of the most beloved ornamental grasses, Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis), is a showstopper that’s both big and beautiful—and it’s incredibly easy to grow! Also known as Chinese Silver Grass, this stunning plant features narrow, arching foliage complemented by elegant silvery plumes. For an extra splash of color in your landscape,consider variegated selections like ‘Dixieland’.
Valued for its pale green or purple-tinged airy panicles that burst into bloom in late June and continue their dazzling display through late August, this dark green native stands about 18 inches tall. It thrives in acidic, moist soil and loves basking in the sun or enjoying a bit of part shade.
Conclusion
Perennial plants offer endless possibilities for creativity and enjoyment, making your gardening experience both fun and rewarding.
Imagine your patio, balcony, or even your windowsill bursting with an array of flowers, each one carefully chosen to thrive in its container home. With the right potting mix, proper drainage holes, and a bit of love, your plants will reward you with stunning displays throughout the seasons.
Your container garden masterpiece awaits, ready to bring joy and beauty to your life. Happy gardening!
