14 Beautiful Flowering Plants for Pots that Add Bursts of Color (2024)

I found choosing the right flowering plants for pots to be a straightforward process, and here’s how I’d plan it:

• Pick plants like impatiens or begonias for shaded areas.
• Opt for sun-loving flowers such as zinnias or marigolds to brighten up sunny spots.
• Select scented geraniums when I want to add delightful fragrances to my space.
• Choose pansies for vibrant colors in cooler seasons.
• Go for easy-care varieties such as hostas for low-maintenance greenery.

To ensure success with these plants, I start by selecting the right spot in my home or garden that matches their light and temperature needs. Then, I pick suitable pots with proper drainage and fill them with the right type of potting soil—typically a loamy mix for most flowering plants.

Watering is key; I ensure to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged for plants like impatiens, while allowing the soil to dry out a bit between watering for drought-tolerant plants like sage.

Regular feeding is important too—I use a balanced 20-20-20 fertilizer for most flowering plants every few weeks, following package instructions, to promote healthy growth and blooms. Lastly, I keep an eye out for pests and disease; if problems arise, I treat the plants promptly using eco-friendly options whenever possible.

When plants are potted indoors, they provide pure air, natural fragrance boosts, and stunning aesthetics to any home. Outside, they add style and depth by framing walkways, doorways, or punctuating the edges of a garden. Deciding between which of the many unusual and amazing flowering plants for pots is perfect for your home feels a little overwhelming at times.

To help the selection process run more smoothly, we put together some of the best flowers for pots to get you started. Knowing how you plan to use these flowers also helps narrow down the candidates. If you want a larger plant, then a less mobile, outdoor only option is your best bet.

Plants that don’t fare well in the cold should be smaller and in pots that are easy to transfer indoors whenever necessary. When going through the exquisite samples below, make sure you consider these factors to suit your needs and climate.

Remarkable Flowers I Find Perfect for Growing in Pots

So, where to start? It’s always easy to open up with color schemes and visual appeal based on style. But one of the most important things to consider is your skill level as a gardener. In most cases, it’s better to start with low-maintenance plants first, then build your way up to flowers requiring that extra bit of love and care.

When considering plant care, take note of potential pests that may enjoy your flowers just as much as you do. Know what keeps squirrels out of flower pots and how to get rid of aphids and other bugs.

Pansies (Viola tricolor var. hortensis)

With exquisite colors and overlapping, heart-shaped petals, it’s no wonder pansies are one of the most beloved flowers in the gardening world. Not only do they make a full, wide-spreading groundcover for other plants, but they also look exquisite as flowers for hanging baskets.

Since they are considered cool-weather plants, pansies thrive in fall and spring temperatures but slow down immensely in the summer months. As a result, keeping them as potted plants is critical to their success, since it allows them to transfer quickly from outside to inside in extreme heat and during cold winter months.

Make sure to give them lots of space to grow, with a pot at least one foot in diameter. Re-pot into a larger container when the plant starts to overtake its current home.

Common Sage (Salvia officinalis): My Amazing Flowering Plants for Pots

Not only is this next candidate a fantastic flower for potted plants, but it’s edible. Common sage is easy to grow in small planters, especially when placed on window sills near the kitchen. Doing this makes it especially easy to pluck off a small leaf or two to garnish a dish.

If growing indoors, place the plant in as much sunlight as possible. Since sage is a drought-tolerant plant, allowing the soil to dry before watering again is a perfectly acceptable practice. Just make sure the soil in the pot is well-drained and doesn’t absorb too much water.

Coral Bells (Heuchera Americana)

A flowering plant most may not think of right away is the heuchera or Coral Bells. While heuchera generates tiny, delicate flowers in summer, their most notable characteristic is their unique foliage.

The leaves take on many different colors and patterns, from lime green to red to burgundy. The surprising thing is that these compact little shrubs manage in almost every climate.

They develop exceptionally well when kept in containers and look fantastic, spilling out over the sides. Most Coral Bells plants are excellent specimens for all-year round plants for pots whether you leave them outside or bring them indoors during the winter months.

My Marigolds (Tagetes erecta): Sunny Clusters of Bright Flowers

Other simple flowers to grow as a potted plant are marigolds. A cluster of compact, bright flowers, marigolds grow up to 18”, which makes them an ideal plant to tend indoors. They are also reasonably easy to maintain and often considered the perfect plants for beginners.

The only drawback is that marigolds love sunlight. In fact, they prefer full sun conditions and moist soil to thrive. If you plan on growing these flowers in a pot, make sure to place them outdoors for a few hours a day and set them in a nice, sunny location the rest of the time.

If you decide you want to try growing vegetables in pots, too, put your marigolds nearby to deter unwanted insects and other pests that may want to munch on them. Most bugs and critters dislike the smell of marigolds and avoid areas where they are grown.

The same goes for fruit trees that grow in pots. Follow instructions on fertilizing and watering and watch for unwanted predators.

Hosta (Hosta lancifolia)

Hostas are another easy plant to grow in pots since they are relatively low-maintenance and love the shade. Their most notable characteristic is their foliage, similar to succulents, which comes in a variety of colors from variegated dark green leaves to blue and gold.

Their shade-loving tendencies and moist soil preferences often make them the target of slugs. Planting them in a pot reduces this problem by allowing you to isolate them whenever necessary. The textured-leaf versions of Hostas are much more resistant to slugs than smoother varieties.

While many people don’t realize it, hostas do flower. Plant these flowers for pots in groupings that combine different types and add a couple of colorful flowers for an even bolder statement in a shady location.

Summer Snapdragons (Angelonia angustifolia)

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Summer Snapdragons look similar to their namesake, with tall, slender stems that stretch up to two feet toward the sky. The significant difference between regular snapdragons and their summery counterparts is the mobility of those adorable little dragon mouths. Summer Snapdragons do not open when pinched, though they appear similar in every other way.

As container plants, these easy-going flowers thrive in loamy potting soil that is moist and well-drained. Beyond the appeal their height adds to any garden, their colors are equally stunning. Most bloom in contrasting colors for a vibrant aesthetic allure.

Zinnias (Zinnia elegans): My Lovely Blooms with a Variety of Styles

One of the very best plants to grow in pots is zinnias, especially larger varieties that double as cut flowers. This lovely bloomer comes in most colors, from orange to pink flowers. They also attract butterflies, which makes them an excellent addition to porches and walkways.

These annual flowers thrive in all zones across the country and prefer full sun. They also only require about one inch of water a week to succeed, though they prefer continuously moist soil. When planting, use potting soil that is well-drained and rich in hummus.

Verbena (Verbena Officinalis)

Verbenas are beautiful, drought-tolerant flowers that make jaw-dropping potted plants. As wonderful flowers for window boxes and hanging baskets, verbena needs xix hours of sunlight to keep them healthy and thriving.

Adding in a little bit of 20-20-20 fertilizer also ensures they receive all the best nutrients. Watering is often the most trying part of keeping this plant alive, since overwatering leads to root rot.

Most of the time, verbena only asks for one inch of water a week. However, in hotter months, if you notice the plant beginning to droop or go limp, give it a little extra drink of moisture.

Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus)

We all recognize carnations as a symbol of love and affection, almost as much as we associate those same qualities with roses. With three different styles of carnations to choose from, each as at home in a container as it is in the garden, it’s easy to find one that suits your needs.

Large-flowered carnations are the most widely recognized and do exceptionally well in terra-cotta pots. These flowers bloom in late spring and prefer slightly alkaline soil.

If planting the taller variety, which grows up to two feet tall, providing the bud with a pole or trellis to grow against gives it the necessary stability.

My Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana): Flowers that Attract Hummingbirds

Impatiens develop in a wide array of colors, from pink to purple to white flowers. Their ability to attract pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies enhance their appeal in window boxes and walkways. The most challenging part of keeping this plant alive is ensuring it receives plenty of moisture and stays out of direct sunlight.

Anywhere from partial to full shade works best for this species, so planting them in pots allows homeowners flexibility in terms of how the plant receives its nutrients from the sun. When it comes to watering the plant in a container, doing so once a day is more than enough. As temperatures increase to 85℉ or higher, water the plants at least twice a day instead.

Million Bells (calibrachoa)

Million Bells receive their name from the pleasant little bell-shape of their flowers, which already resemble mini petunias. Both flowers come from the same Solanaceae family and appear in a variety of lively colors. Among these fantastic hues is everything from magenta to blue to bronze.

When keeping plants in pots, it’s essential to allow drainage at the bottom of the soil. Monitor the pH levels of the earth closely, as well as maintaining them in a container often requires increased doses of fertilizer.

Scented Geraniums (Pelargonium): My Best Flowers for Pots

Geraniums are another group of flowering plants that enjoys warmer weather. While many like full sun, in particularly hot climates placing them in part shade is also advisable. They also grow in a huge variety of scents, adding to their allure as both potted plants for porches or indoors.

Scented Geraniums produce fragrances that range from fruity to floral to chocolate. Most bloom through the fall, with some going so far as to produce flowers year-round indoors. Lemon-scented geraniums work particularly well to keep mosquitoes at bay.

Begonias (Begoniaceae spp.)

Begonias make lovely houseplants and come in a wide variety of types that do well in large pots. Rhizomatous begonias produce lovely multi-colored foliage that is easy to grow and maintain, where the flowering begonias sprout colorful blooms in full clusters or drooping stems. Both make beautiful additions as a potted plant both indoors and out.

An essential part of keeping your begonias thriving is providing them with plenty of sunlight. Though these stunning blossoms receive a well-earned reputation as shade plants, that’s generally due to their ability to thrive in hotter climates.

Where it’s warmer, shade is as key to keeping them fresh and healthy as the perfect sprinkling of morning light. Indoors, they still need a moderate amount of indirect light to thrive, so place them by a warm, bright window.

Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

One of the most commonly used spillers in potted plants is Creeping Jenny. This vine plant produces ovalish leaves that range from lime green to golden, depending on the time of year. Though the bright yellow blooms of this plant don’t last very long, the vegetation’s most notable characteristic is its long, creeping limbs.

Creeping Jenny looks fantastic when combined with other flowering plants in large pots. They prefer moist soil and a slightly shaded area where their long-reaching vines won’t interfere with other plants. Keep them out of any direct sunlight to avoid bleaching the leaves.

At this point, you should have a reasonably firm grasp on the types of plants you plan to use in your own indoor and outdoor gardens. Whether the new home for your flowers calls for something full and vibrant or neat and compact, you can’t go wrong with these phenomenal ideas.

If you found these container gardening tips useful, then please remember to share all the amazing flowering plants for pots you just learned about with family and friends on Facebook and Pinterest.