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Best patio container plants: 8 expert-approved picks to brighten your space instantly
By Holly Crossley,
2024-04-27
A selection of pretty patio container plants is essential to bring a seating area to life. If you're updating your space to get it summer-ready, now's a great time to consider your options.
Many plants will thrive in pots, making it tricky to settle on a select few. So, we asked gardening experts for advice. Below, they share their top recommendations, including ornamental trees, colourful flowers, and evergreen shrubs. Whichever garden trends have caught your eye this year, there will be a planting pick to suit from this list.
8 patio container plants for beautifying your garden
These are some of the best plants to create a stunning patio display. Just remember to ensure your space gets enough sunshine and shelter for certain varieties – it's always worth checking tags before you buy.
1. Japanese maples
Compact varieties of Japanese maples are perfect for patios (Image credit: ian west / Alamy Stock Photo)
Small trees make excellent privacy plants , and many do well in pots. Japanese maples are popular for growing this way, and their foliage offers a range of brilliant hues.
Patty Willems, a plant expert from sustainable plant pot manufacturer elho, says they make a beautiful and ornamental addition to the patio or balcony. "These deciduous trees are mostly slow growing, so are ideal for growing in well-suited pots," she says. "It is recommended to choose a pot that is about double the size of the root system, so that it has plenty of space to establish.
"They are simple to care for," she continues. "But, make sure the pot has sufficient drainage to avoid root damage, and that the soil does not dry out."
Create a colourful summer display with pelargoniums (Image credit: Pelargonium for Europe)
Gardening expert Sarah Raven says pelargoniums are wonderful container plants that are perfect for creating a Mediterranean look.
"They are tender perennials, which means it’s unlikely they’ll survive winter outside, but they can be brought indoors as winter houseplants, or moved to a conservatory or greenhouse," she adds.
Dr. Susanne Lux of Pelargonium for Europe says the more sunlight these plants get, the more abundantly they bloom. "To enjoy lots of flowers quickly, buy well-developed plants with plenty of buds and dense foliage," she advises.
Be sure to provide enough space when planting. "The distance between plants should be at least 20cm and the height of the pot should be no less than 18cm," Susanne notes.
Give your garden a tropical touch (Image credit: Mark Longley / Alamy Stock Photo)
Garden designer Harriet Worsley says Dicksonia antarctica , a type of tree fern, is one of her favourite patio container plants.
"I prefer the ones without a trunk, so a young plant with fronds but almost no height," she says. "They are fabulous for a shady corner in a city terrace garden, and immediately transform the space into something tropical and otherworldly. Mass them up and you‘ll feel like you’re in the rainforest and miles away from home."
This vibrant variety will brighten your space (Image credit: BIOSPHOTO / Alamy Stock Photo)
Charles Carr, the head of wholesale nurseries at Hillier Garden Centres, recommends this vibrant type of cordyline. It is a tough evergreen shrub, he says – "particularly in comparison with other pink cordyline varieties."
Its vivid leaves give a bold, almost tropical look, and don't bleach or fade in the sun, Charles continues. "This is a perfect plant for a container, creating dramatic interest through the height and standout colour."
What's more, Charles points out that it's low-maintenance, having proven to be quite resistant to diseases such as leaf spot and winter weather conditions.
Sarah particularly recommends the "Winter Orchid" wallflower variety, available at the Sarah Raven shop . She highlights how it is renowned for flowering from spring right through the summer and is often one of the first plants to come into full bloom. "You’ll find that the terrifically scented flowers emerge as a coppery orange, turning to purple as they age," she says. "I like picking these for spring bunches."
Lightly trim wallflowers after blooming to prevent them from becoming leggy, Sarah adds. Plenty of sun will help them flourish.
6. Coreopsis
Coreopsis lanceolata "Rum Punch" is a cheerful choice for patios (Image credit: Dorling Kindersley ltd / Alamy Stock Photo)
Coreopsis are colourful and fuss-free, with both annuals and perennials available. The shorter types make some of the best plants for patio containers.
Position these plants somewhere sunny, and remember to water them often, particularly in dry spells. Deadheading will encourage more flowers – a gardening tip that can be applied to many blooming plants.
7. Citrus trees
Embrace a Mediterranean vibe with a citrus tree or two (Image credit: _LeS_ / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images)
Patty says, "Citrus trees, including lemons and oranges, do exceptionally well in pots.
"These Mediterranean species love the sun, so make sure they’re placed in a bright spot on the patio that receives at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight. In the summer, citrus trees need watering around once a week and good drainage is important.
"While a bit fussy, citrus plants will reward attentive owners with fragrant white flowers, glossy green leaves, and juicy, tangy fruits," she adds. As a bonus, you can use orange peel in your garden to help nurture other plants.
Note that they need to be brought indoors over the winter months, to protect them from the cold. A sunny conservatory is ideal.
These shrubs have scented, creamy-yellow flowers (Image credit: John Richmond / Alamy Stock Photo)
Also known as Japanese mock orange, Pittosporum tobira shrubs have sweetly scented blooms and can make excellent plants for year-round greenery in pots.
Harriet says, "My absolute favourite container plant is Pittosporum tobira ‘Nanum’." It is a bit tender for out of town, she adds, but fine for cities and enclosed gardens.
It is evergreen and has bright green new growth, and suits all garden styles – Mediterranean, romantic English, and tropical, she says.
"These pittosporum like sun but can tolerate part shade, so for city gardens with high walls, they are perfect," Harriet continues. "They don’t need much maintenance – just water, a liquid feed during the growing months, and a little trim in spring if needed."
How often should you water patio container plants?
Getting the watering right is a key factor in how to look after plants . With containers, a little more attention is required compared to plants in the ground, as pots tend to dry out quicker. Check the soil for moisture regularly, and water when needed. During hot summer months, this may be daily.
Do note that waterlogged soil can lead to unhealthy root systems, so drainage holes are a must.
Plants can transform your outdoor living space into a botanical haven. But for the perfect finishing touch, our guide on how to clean your patio might come in handy, too.
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