10 Best Plants To Grow In Containers

Container gardening opens the door to growing beautiful, healthy plants without needing a large yard to do it. Whether you're living in an apartment, condo, or a home with only a small patio or balcony, containers make it possible to enjoy colorful flowers, beautiful plants, and even home-grown food in compact spaces. More and more gardeners are using containers to grow plants, which allows them to freely move their specimens for optimal sunlight or shade, and protect them from harsh weather, pests, and diseases, keeping maintenance simple and manageable. Planting in containers offers excellent flexibility in style as well, letting you get creative with container styles and sizes, plant groupings, and even vertical setups that suit your personality, preferences, and the available space.

There are plenty of simple ways to transform your patio with flowers and plants. Choosing the right plants suited to container life will allow your container garden to thrive, bringing year-round beauty and enjoyment to gardeners of all skill levels. The plants on this list, including coneflowers and fountain grass, are well-suited to living in pots and grow comfortably without extensive roots or sprawling ground space. By selecting the right planters for your garden and ensuring they have plenty of holes in the bottom for adequate drainage, you can transform a small area into a lush, thriving garden you'll love tending to every day.

Elephant ears' huge leaves (Colocasia esculenta) make a dramatic statement wherever they are grown. This perennial does best in shadier areas with daytime temperatures between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant your elephant ears in large containers that allow them to reach their full size, which can be anywhere from 2 feet to as tall as 10 feet. Protect your elephant ear plants from strong winds by placing them near a wall or fence, and bring them indoors when cold temperatures and harsh winds are expected.

Coneflower (Echinacea spp.) is a popular addition to container gardens. These colorful blooming perennials produce large daisy-like flowers with raised centers that become excellent food sources for your garden birds when allowed to go to seed in the fall and winter. Coneflowers come in a variety of colors, including green, purple, white, pink, red, and yellow, depending on the cultivar. The lovely flowers need a large container so their roots can spread out. They do the best in areas with full sun, though they can tolerate partial shade if necessary. 

If you love ornamental grasses, you will be happy to know that you can also grow them in containers. Fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum) is a popular ornamental grass that works in a variety of places. You will need a fairly large container that is deep enough to accommodate the spread and the arched blades of fountain grass. It's recommended to choose dark-colored containers, which may help moisture evaporate more quickly. Fountain grass performs best in areas with full sun but can handle some shade.

The brightly colored Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) prefers to have its roots a little crowded, so choose pots that are only 1 to 2 inches wider and deeper than the plant's root ball for best results. This plant doesn't thrive in regular garden soil, preferring a lightweight medium made up of coco coir, perlite, peat moss, and other materials that ensure good drainage. Hibiscus loves sunny locations and can handle full sun all day long, making it perfect for a sunny patio. Make sure these flowers stay well-hydrated and keep the soil moist and cool to avoid the roots overheating. 

If you want to add some vibrant foliage to your container garden, Coleus (Coleus scutellarioides) is the perfect plant for the job. The size of the pot you choose depends on whether you want to plant one coleus in a container or several, so choose accordingly. Coleus will droop and dry out when it doesn't have enough water. It's important not to let the soil dry out too much between watering sessions. This versatile plant can handle full or partial sun and thrives in partial shade as well.

If you're looking for something for the winter months, consider dwarf hinoki cypresses (Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Gracilis'). This slow-growing cypress can be kept in smaller pots, but make sure there is room for the roots to spread out because they don't transplant well — the less you have to change its container, the better. This tree will reach 3 to 4 feet tall, but it can take years to reach that height, so patience is key. Dwarf hinoki cypress thrives in full sun locations.

Primrose (Primula vulgaris) is a lovely flower that can be planted in smaller containers that will look great next to your larger pots. Primrose does better in partial to full shade locations. You can plant primrose as a single plant or plant several together in a larger pot if you prefer. Mature height is anywhere from 3 inches to 2 feet tall. Make sure the soil in your primrose pot doesn't dry out too much. Consistent moisture is best as long as you don't cross over the line into soggy territory.

Hostas (Hosta plantaginea) are a perennial perfectly suited to container life. Hardy in most zones, hostas thrive best in partial shade to full shade locations. Choose smaller containers, making sure there is 3 inches of space or less between the side of the container and the roots.  It may sound too small, but hostas do better in these tighter spots. Water your hostas every couple of days, taking care not to oversaturate the soil. If your hostas look wilted, they are letting you know they need water.

Hellebore (Helleborus orientalis) is a popular perennial that thrives in mild weather. Hellebore's roots grow down and don't transplant well, so choose a container that is large enough to accommodate its growth without needing to move it to another pot later on. Hellebore thrives in full sun, especially during the spring and winter, but during the really hot months, make sure it gets some afternoon shade.

Magic Purple aster (Aster novi-belgii 'Magic Purple') is perfect for adding pops of bright purple to your container garden areas. These pretty perennials do great in containers as long as their growing needs are met. Choose containers that have plenty of room for the plant, but not so much that the soil holds onto too much water and causes root rot. Keep the soil moist but not overly saturated, and avoid letting the soil dry out between watering sessions. Asters prefer full sun for the best flowers and growth.