25 Lush Patio Plants for Your Outdoor Seating Area

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As warm weather rolls around , there ’s nothing quite like loiter in the overbold air skirt by pleasant-tasting verdure . With the correct plants , it ’s easy to turn your patio into a private , colorful , fragrant blank that you ’ll never want to leave .

Assessing your outdoor blank space first will help you choose the good patio plants for your post . Knowing how many hours of direct and indirect sun the space let , for example , will steer you to the appropriate “ full sun ” or “ part shade ” aisle at the garden center . Other factors that will affect plant option let in your local clime , the amount of water a plant life needs , and the size of the containers in which you ’ll be potting the plant life .

istock patio_plants_woman watering plants on balcony.

Photo: istockphoto.com

1. Tuberous Begonias (Begonia x tuberhybrida)

Tuberous begoniasare an excellent choice for a terrace industrial plant , and their burnished pinko , cherry-red , and white-hot flower petal will tally a pappa of color to your quad . The tuberous multifariousness of begonia is the easiest to care for and features the crowing salad days , but it require a big pot to grow . ( Be on the observatory for Nonstop and Roseform Red Tuber , both of which are stunning . ) Although tuberousbegoniascan thrive in full shade , they bloom best with at least 4 to 6 hours of indirect sunlight . imbed them in the spring well after the danger of rime has run , in well - drain soil to prevent root rot .

2. Million Bells (Calibrachoa)

Calibrachoa , ormillion bells , is an annual bloom that come in a all-embracing mixture of color and patterns . Thanks to their foresightful bloom season , which lead off in the spring and continues into the nightfall , they ’re a popular container flora . Recognized by their hang stem , million bells can be planted in a variety of terrace - ready containers , like hanging baskets , pots andwindow boxful . Million bells want moist yet well - drained soil , and though they favour full sun they arise almost as well in part nuance .

3. Lavender (Lavandula)

change state an outdoor space into a calm , spa - like retreat by integrating a few oversized potentiometer of lavender . greet by its rich majestic chromaticity , lavender ’s smell is also known to reduce anxiety . Patio gardeners can take from a few varieties oflavender , but all need a spacious container with a half - inch draining hole and plenty of room to mature . For optimum fragrance and increase , lavenderrequires at least 6 hours of full sun .

4. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritime)

Sweet alyssum ’s midget bloom clusters and delicious fragrance make it a terrific pick for patio garden . There are so many just reasons to grow it : Is a hardy , adaptable industrial plant with a long blooming season , and spreads attractively when planted in bottom . In hanging pots or hoop , sweet alyssum often spills over the side . Other point in its favor are that it can be potted in various container such as a windowpane box , hanging basket , orornamental plantation owner , and does well sharing a container with other plants . For best resolution , feed scented madwort with a diluted , H2O - soluble fertilizer every other hebdomad and ensure it receives at least 6 hours of full sun per 24-hour interval .

5. Cherry Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme)

Cherry tomatoes are first-class patio plants : They add coloring material to your outdoor outer space , and are delicious to thrill . Though there are numerouscherry tomatovarieties from which to take , what they have in mutual is that they grow like demented ( especially indeterminate cherry tomatoes ) , and thus necessitate staking and appropriately spacious patio container .

Tomatoesrequire at least 8 hours of full sun , although a little less will still yield a intelligent , though perhaps not as prolific , harvest . Cherry Lycopersicon esculentum also require soil that is well watered , well drained , and enriched with organic nutrients .

6. Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa)

Strawberriesare stocky flora that grow well in containers and , like cherry red tomato plant , are a mess of merriment to grow in containers on deck or patio . The matter to call back aboutstrawberry plantsare that they necessitate to be planted by early summer , and they thrive in full sunshine . irrigate them deeply as soon as the grease control surface appears dry , and make certain the soil drains well and does not get sloughy . To keep off fungal diseases , seek to keep the plants ’ leaves ironic . Strawberries take just 90 or so days to reap , so if they ’re in pots by Memorial Day you should be plucking berry out of your patio pots before Labor Day .

7. Roses (Rosa)

Rosesare go - to container industrial plant , but do n’t cogitate they ’ll thrive in yogurt cup - sized container . They involve ample space for their long - reach origin , so be sure to engraft them in grass that have a wide diameter and at least a 2- to 2 1/2 - foot astuteness . They ’re heavy feeder — applyrose fertilizerfrequently , according to package instructions — and should be situated in a patio dapple that have at least 6 hours of full sun . Do n’t be tempted to add more plants to rose wine ’ broad pot , though . They are not good comrade plants .

8. Marigolds (Tagetes)

Marigoldsproduce striking warm - toned flowers in orange , xanthous , and red hues . Just about every type of marigold can be arise in a container , but they involve plenty of air circulation and grow room to thrive . Aim for at least a 6 - inch diam around a singlemarigold works . Marigolds need at least 6 hours of full sun per sidereal day , and should be watered when the top level of soil is dry .

9. Chinese Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa sinensis)

The Chinesehibiscusis a tropic flowering shrub with large , vibrant flowers that stay open from spring well into the fall . When produce in the ground , it can grow tall and shaggy-coated . When pot , however , this coinage produces earlier and longer - lasting blooms with less shrubbery .

Hibiscusshould be brought indoors in inhuman weather — it can go when temperature hit 25 degrees Fahrenheit . In ardent conditions , they thrive on a patio or deck of cards if they have 6 to 8 hours of full sunshine , constant watering , and are plant in well - draining potting soil .

10. Cannas (Canna)

Also known as canna lily , these tropical incandescent lamp have bright , patterned petal and leaves . Cannasprefer warmer temperatures and should not be planted until the filth reach at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit . They need just 4 hours of unmediated morning or afternoon sunlight , so they’regood plants for patios that do not get full sun . gardener in Zone 1 through 6 will take to dig canna bulbs up in the fall before the first hoarfrost to preserve canna for the following growing time of year .

11. Fan Flowers (Scaevola aemula)

Fan flowers are a unique terrace plant with delicate , sports fan - shaped petal . Once these hardy flowers are found , they are drought and inflame patient of andattract butterflies and bees . Often grow in containers , hang baskets , and window box to show off their glorious tracking habit , fan flowersalso add a colourful pop to a terrace border . Requires full Lord’s Day .

12. Hybrid Fuschia (Fuchsia x hybrida)

loan-blend fuschiasare often plant in attend baskets to show off their tracking , tear - drop pinkish and purple blooms . They are good fellow traveler plant and require little sunlight to flourish , do them a terrific choice for shaded terrace . Fuschias opt restrained temperatures and humidness levels , and should be brought inside when temperatures dunk below 55 degrees Fahrenheit . Hybrid fuschia are particularly ideal for containers because of their compact size , and because they need to be kept out of the low temperature .

13. Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum × morifolium)

Chrysanthemums , also known as garden mummy , are autumn plants that do not flower until the late summer calendar month . They are a sun - loving daisy variety that require at least 4 hours of full sunlight to thrive . They ’re athirst plants too , and will need to be water two to three time per week once the efflorescence undefended . Mumscan be toxic to cat and dog , so be sure to keep them forth from darling .

14. Lantana (Lantana camara)

With colorful flowers and a lite aroma that appeal bees and butterfly stroke , lantanais a lovely patio plant . It can spring up up to 6 feet tall , so a few strategic pots on your patio might provide some privacy , or block an unsavoury view . ( Be sure to pot thesetall plantsin stout container that wo n’t tippytoe over easily . ) Gardeners who are n’t look for plants with this much stature should seek out gnome varieties of lantana , which are suitable for smaller container . ensure your lantana gets direct vivid sunshine , and keep the soil well watered but not soggy . This flora expand in quick climates ; gardener who live in cold climes will need to winter lantana indoors .

15. Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)

Cosmos is a cheery heyday that needs full sun and temperate water system to thrive , and comes in a spectrum of colours ranging from white to pink and hopeful orange tree . Cosmosattract pollinators , so patio nurseryman should not be surprised to find more butterflies and wench around when this peak is in bloom . For a charming exhibit that captures the disembodied spirit of a meadow , moot set cosmos withwildflowers .

16. Boxwood (Buxus)

Gardeners who seek low - maintenance terrace plant that provide foliage rather than flush should consider boxwood , a shapely bush that transform a terrace space from bland to graceful . Boxwoods do n’t like having sloughy root and should therefore be set in a bombastic sight with well - drain soil ( adding a bed of mulch is a respectable musical theme too ) . After the plant is lay down , it only require a thoroughgoing watering about once a week , and even less oftentimes in the wintertime . Boxwooddoes well in cold climates , but it ’s a just idea to cover them for the wintertime because their branch can break under the weight of heavy blow .

17. Geraniums (Pelargonium)

Geraniumsare iconic garden flowers best known for their lush unripe leaves and brilliant petal . Although they grow good in warmer climate ( zones 8 to 11),geraniumscan be grown in cooler climes but will need to be overwinter indoors when temperatures plunge . These perennials require lineal sun , moderate wet , and periodic deadheading to promote continuous , healthy blooms .

18. Heliotrope (Heliotropium)

Heliotropes are perennials that are know for their pleasant , almost vanilla - comparable scent — what a smashing receptive gain to an outdoor lounging spot ! Their white- and purplish - toned flowers get down to give in the summertime and develop in alone , crooked clusters . Heliotropesgrow well in containers and require at least 6 hour of full sun . As beautiful as they are , however , preferent owners should beware that the flowers are toxic if ingested .

19. Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides)

Gardenias ’ bluff white flowers andintoxicating scentmake this beloved , albeit high - sustainment , plant a deary among gardener . Gardenias are moody plants that can die easily if they do not get careful and exacting aid . It grows well in partial spectre or full Sunday , but requires acidic soil and warm temperatures to boom . Thoughgardeniatypically blooms year around in zones 8 through 11 , gardeners in colder zones may not see blooms if the temperature falls below 60 degrees Fahrenheit .

20. Feather Reed (Calamagrostis x acutiflora)

Those who seek a unique works for their patio — and one that provides some seclusion — should think decorate their space with potted , low - care ornamental grasses such asfeather Walter Reed . This tall grass has a green stalking and arching plumes that swing in the picnic , and can contact heights of up to 5 foot . Feather reed require mass medium to slopped soil and can survive wintertime in zone 5 to 9 .

21. Paperplant (Fatsia japonica)

Paperplant ’s 12 - inch glossy leave-taking with deep , serrate lobe are really stopper , offer a tropical vibration to your decor . You ’ll necessitate muckle of quad for this Japanese aborigine : It can grow to 10 foot tall and across-the-board , making it an excellent blind if you ’re looking toadd privacy to your terrace . This shade - loving plant is also trimmable , so you’re able to trim it as needed . During the spring and summer growing season , keep the soil moist at all times , and give it a lilliputian fertilizer weekly . In wintertime , water when the top in of soil has dry out . Paperplant is audacious to zona 8 .

22. Coleus (Coleus scutellarioides)

flame nettle ’ bright color comes not from efflorescence but from its attractively hue leaves , which are often toned in more than one people of color , include crimson , pinkish , royal , green , and yellow . As manycoleusvarieties brook full tincture , it ’s a upright pick to add coloring to the inner reaches of your patio . Various cultivar can develop anywhere from 6 to 36 in magniloquent , and flame nettle is very easy to grow from seed . It want consistent lacrimation , so do n’t let it dry out out . Coleus is wintertime hardy to zone 10 - 11 .

23. Asparagus Fern (Asparagus densiflorus)

Not a fern at all , asparagus fern is in the asparagus category ( or the lily mob , depending on the classification arrangement used ) . There are several types , all of which make wonderfulcontainer plants . Some are upright , while others spill nicely over the side of a hanging basket . Their phonograph needle - like foliage contribute a lovely contrasting grain to other plants you may have on your patio . Giveasparagus fernmedium spark and let it dry out between lacrimation . Hardy in zones 9 to 11 , this spindly plant will need to overwinter indoors in other zona .

24. Caladium (Caladium)

These large- and colorfully leafed beauty would do well in a big container place in a patch that puzzle a chip of morning sun , but afternoon shade . Mostcaladiumsgrow to 12 to 24 in marvelous , but some varieties get as tall as 3 feet . Keep the grease moist but not stiff , and fecundate weekly with a balanced fertilizer . They ’re wintertime brave to zone 9 or 10 , so northern gardener might postulate to bring them inside to overwinter .

25. Mandevilla (Mandevilla)

If you have patio roof financial support posts that are implore for adornment , regard genus Mandevilla , a tight - growingclimbing vinethat rewards agriculturalist with cornet - form flower in any of several hues . Be sure to put yourmandevillain a gay smudge ; these climbing iron ask at least 6 hour of sun day by day . They ’ll do best with a eminent - Lucifer fertilizer every 2 weeks , and a good watering when the soil is dry to the touch . Mandevillais root hardy to geographical zone 8 ; gardeners in other surface area might need to cut the vines to a few inch tall and move the container inside semen wintertime .

Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners

We ’ll help you set up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your patio , a raised bed , or an in - primer coat game out back — and pick out the right plants for your soil and area .

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