36 Container Garden Ideas for a Gorgeous Display

Use these examples to create the best-designed planter for your patio, window box, or other container planting.

Viveka Neveln

Fri, February 19, 2016 at 7:05 AM UTC

12 min read

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Reviewed by David McKinney

Our container garden ideas will inspire you to create an eye-catching, space-saving display, whether you want a window box full of romantic plants or a patio planter brimming with tall grasses. With a simple container, you’ve got endless options for creativity all year long; you can switch your containers out for a cheerful holiday display or a festive fall look.

How to Get Started

To get started, pick out a spot for your container—consider sun, shade, and wind, and where the plants might complement your garden. Remember to choose carefully, especially if you’re considering big containers that will be heavy to move once they are loaded up with water and growing media. (You might consider plant caddies to help you move containers). Access to your containers is important since you will have to keep them well-watered, deadheaded, and fertilized throughout the season.

Then the fun begins—decide whether you want blooms, veggies, herbs, or pollinator-friendly plants to liven up your growing season, and pick your plants, based on height, scent, color, texture, or whatever tickles your fancy.

Tip for Pet Owners

Fertilizer and compost, along with some bulbs and plants, can be harmful to pets. Before you decide what to plant, check the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals list of toxic and non-toxic plants.

Cottage-Style Container Garden

This perfect cottage container garden idea is ideal for a window box. It incorporates soft shades of pink and purple and plants that have loose, open shapes. Here, petunias, licorice plant, and verbena do the job perfectly. This planting grows best in full sun.

A. Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas 'Blackie') — 1

B. Licorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare) — 1

C. Petunia 'Carpet Lilac' — 2

D. Verbena 'Aztec Pink Magic'— 1

E. Wishbone flower (Torenia 'Summer Wave Blue') — 1

F. Salvia 'Lady in Red'— 1

G. Petunia 'Ramblin White'— 1

H. Petunia 'Pink Daddy' — 1

Galvanized Pot Containers

A beautiful window box container garden idea can be simple or complex. Here, colorful petunias in attractive galvanized pots have just as much impact as a many-hued combination. This planting grows best in a spot that gets full sun.

A. Petunia 'Wave Pink' — 1

Dramatic Full Sun Container Garden

Use contrasting colors to create drama with this container garden idea. Here, shades of purple mix well together—and make a stunning contrast for a salmon geranium. This planting grows best in full sun.

A. Lobelia erinus — 3

B. Petunia 'Blue Velvet' — 1

C. Geranium (Pelargonium 'Fantasia Salmon') — 2

D. Viola 'Sorbet Purple Duet'— 2

E. Lavender pink petunia — 1

Tropical Container Garden

Create a container for gardening that will attract attention by using bold colors and tropical plants. Here, a potted tree-form hibiscus adds even more appeal. This planting grows best in full sun.

A. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis — 1

B. Japanese bloodgrass (Imperata cylindrica 'Rubra') — 3

C. Salvia (Salvia splendens) — 3

D. New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens 'Celebration Deep Red') — 3

Perennial Container Garden Ideas

You can add perennials to any container garden for year-after-year beauty. Stick to the well-known rule of having a spiller, a thriller, and a filler plant in each container.

Yellow Container Garden

Bright shades of yellow catch the eye in this sunny container gardening idea, even across the yard. Here, golden sunflowers make an impact with their big, bold blooms. This cheery container grows best in full sun.

A. Dwarf sunflower (Helianthus 'Elf') — 3

B. Snapdragon (Antirrhinum 'Yellow Chimes') — 6

C. Celosia 'Fresh Look Yellow' — 3

D. Marigold (Tagetes 'Janie Bright Yellow') — 4

E. Lysimachia 'Outback Sunset' — 3

F. Potato vine (Solanum jasminoides 'Variegata') — 2

Scent-Focused Planter

Great container garden ideas are appealing to several senses. Here, a hybrid rose and thyme offer scents as good as their looks. This planting grows best in full sun.

A. Miniature rose (Rosa spp.) — 1

B. Creeping thyme (Thymus spp.) — 3

C. English ivy (Hedera helix) — 3

Heat- and Humidity-Tolerant Container Garden

Plan properly to keep a container garden in a tough spot. Here, for example, canna, lantana, and maidengrass stand up to heat and humidity to look good all summer long. This planting grows best in full sun or partial shade.

A. Canna 'Pretoria' — 2

B. Lantana 'Lucky White' — 4

C. Coleus (Solenostemon 'Dappled Dawn') — 1

D. Coleus (Solenostemon 'Dark Frills') — 2

E. Vinca major 'Variegata' — 3

F. Melampodium paludosum — 1

G. Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas 'Margarita') — 1

H. Maidengrass (Miscanthus sinensis) — 1

Ornamental Grass Planter

Use ornamental grasses to add height and texture for this container garden idea. Here, purple fountaingrass adds extra color, too. This planting grows best in partial shade.

A. Purple fountaingrass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum') — 2

B. Coleus (Solenostemon 'Sun Velvet Red') — 3

C. Plectranthus 'Variegatus' — 2

D. Impatiens 'Dazzler Pink' — 2

E. Licorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare) — 2

Succulent Container Garden Ideas

We'll never get bored of succulents—they come in many shapes and colors! Succulents are the perfect low-maintenance container garden idea. Learn the secrets to a successful succulent container.

Colorful Foliage Container

With fantastic foliage, you don't even need flowers in a container for gardening. Look for plants that have colorful foliage, such as the coleus used here. This planting grows best in partial shade.

A. Coleus (Solenostemon 'Black Dragon') — 3

B. Coleus (Solenostemon 'Wizard Jade') — 3

C. Coleus (Solenostemon 'Dress Me Up') — 3

D. Ruellia brittoniana — 1

Bloomless Container Garden

Here's a great bloomless container garden idea with interesting foliage. A purple phormium contrasts delightfully with a golden-variegated plectranthus. This planting grows best in partial shade.

A. New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax) — 1

B. Plectranthus 'Easy Gold' — 2

C. Society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea) — 2

D. Silver thyme (Thymus 'Argenteus') — 1

E. Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) — 1

F. Philodendron 'Prince of Orange' — 1

Creative Container Garden Vessel

Planting in a great pot can make all the difference in a container for gardening. Here, an old rusty wheelbarrow makes a charming container garden. This planting grows best in full sun.

A. Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — 1

B. Perilla 'Magilla' — 3

C. Diascia 'Diamonte Lavender Pink'— 3

Carefully Repetitive Planter

Repeating an element is one of the most effective container garden ideas. It applies to containers for gardening, too. Here, purple New Zealand flax and coralbells go together, as well as the arching form of the flax and the fiber optic grass. This planting grows best in partial sun.

A. Fiber optic grass (Scirpus cernuus) — 1

B. Coralbells (Heuchera 'Amethyst Mist') — 1

C. New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax) — 1

D. Variegated geranium (Pelargonium 'Happy Thought') — 1

E. Calamondin (Citrofortunella microcarpa) — 1

Video: Container Garden Design Tips

Watch this quick video for tips on creating your own stunning container gardens.

Monochromatic Container Garden

You don't need lots of color for a gorgeous container garden. Here, different shades of green and various textures combine delightfully. This planting grows best in full shade.

A. Ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) — 1

B. Canary Island ivy (Hedera canariensis) — 3

C. Sanvitalia 'Little Sun' — 3

D. Plectranthus 'Variegata' — 3

Shades of Green Container

Here's another example of how mixing shades of green is a beautiful container garden idea. As the season progresses, the sweet potato vine and licorice plant will trail down and cover the pot. This planting grows in sun or shade.

A. Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas 'Margarita') — 2

B. Licorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare 'Limelight') — 2

C. Bacopa (Sutera cordata) — 3

Container Garden With Colorful Annuals

Don't be intimidated if you don't have full sun. A mix of colorful annuals, such as the ones shown here, will bloom all summer—even in full shade.

A. White begonia (B. x tuberhybrida) — 2

B. Browallia speciosa — 2

C. Impatiens 'Super Elfin Salmon Blush' — 2

D. Lobelia erinus 'Regatta Lilac' — 1

E. Hedera helix — 1

Multi-Tasking Container Garden

Keep in mind that containers can do double duty. Here, a combination of low-growing plants works perfectly as a centerpiece for a party or as an accent on a wall, bench, table, or other structure. This container for gardening grows best in shade.

A. Persian shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus) — 2

B. Begonia 'Cocktail Vodka' — 2

C. Wishbone flower (Torenia 'Clown Mix') — 3

Choosing the Right Pot

Sometimes the container itself is just as important as the plants you put in it. Learn how to choose the right pot for your next container garden.

Related: The 17 Best Outdoor Planters

Dynamic Planter

Swap plants out through the season to create different looks. Here, for example, this bleeding heart looks beautiful in spring. Once it fades, plant it in the garden and grow fragrant purple heliotrope in the container instead. This planting grows best in shade.

A. Dicentra spectabilis—1

B. Impatiens 'Ole Starburst'—3

C. Variegated ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea 'Variegata')—3

D. Bacopa (Sutera cordata 'Abunda White')—1

Fragrant Container Garden Idea

Favorite scented plants fill a terra-cotta pot tucked into a sturdy basket. Herbs and scented geraniums, in particular, offer a vast array of tantalizing fragrances, depending on the plants you choose.

A. Eucalyptus

B. Heliotrope Heliotropium spp.

C. Scented geranium 'Attar of Roses' Pelargonium

D. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

E. Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima)

F. Plectranthus ciliatus 'Vanilla Twist'

G. Lobelia erinus

Textural Planter

The irresistible textures of this display will encourage you to place it near a bench or entryway, where it can easily be seen and touched.

A. Northern sea oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)

B. Fiber optic grass (Scirpus cernuus)

C. Ageratum 'Artist Blue'

D. Silver sage (Salvia argentea)

E. Chenille plant (Acalypha hispida)

F. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

G. Helichrysum petiolare 'Lemon Licorice'

Punchy Container Garden Idea

A bright punch of color makes a splash in this sensational planter that blooms from spring into fall. A 1-inch-deep layer of pea gravel in the bottom of the container facilitates drainage.

A. Salvia farinacea 'Victoria Blue'

B. Zinnia 'Profusion Orange'; 'Profusion Pink'

C. Osteospermum 'Symphony'

D. Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima)

E. Sanvitalia

F. Lobelia erinus 'Compact Blue'

Salad Container Garden

A container garden that's equal parts functional and beautiful, this salad container garden gives you fresh produce at your fingertips.

Pollinator-Friendly Container Garden

Careful plant selection turns up the volume in this potted scheme. Rustling grasses tease eardrums, while other plants attract bees and birds that add their own sounds to the garden.

A. Ornamental millet 'Purple Majesty' (Pennisetum glaucum)

B. Gaura lindheimeri

C. Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

D. Heucherella 'Quicksilver'

E. Variegated sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas)

F. Trailing snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)

G. Chartreuse sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas)

H. Lantana

Edible Container Garden

An aged wooden box outfitted with a plastic liner is a container garden idea that features edible picks with mild to peppery flavor. Edible flowers are best eaten by the petals rather than whole, so you can savor their typically delicate flavors.

A. Miniature rose Rosa

B. Dill (Anethum graveolens)

C. Grape tomato

D. Mint (Mentha spp.)

E. Zinnia

F. Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)

G. Dianthus

H. Nasturtium (Tropaeolum)

I. Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas)

J. Sage (Salvia 'Tricolo')

K. Viola

Centered Container Garden

Bold plants can be focal points in the landscape. A single plant can work the same way for a container garden, as this deep purple pseuderanthemum shows here. This planting thrives in sun or shade.

A. Pseuderanthemum atropurpureum—2

B. Lobelia erinus 'Periwinkle Blue'—3

C. Basketgrass (Oplismenus hirtellus 'Variegatus')—3

D. Plectranthus 'Uvongo'—3

E. Elephant plant (Portulacaria afra 'Variegata')—3

Butterfly Planter

Add even more interest to your container plantings by using them to attract butterflies. Here, butterfly favorites, including lantana, will appeal to you as much as they do your winged visitors.

A. Coleus (Solenostemon 'Kiwi Fern')—2

B. Cat's whiskers (Orthosiphon stamineus)—3

C. Purple trailing Lantana—3

D. Silver thyme (Thymus 'Argenteus')—1

Drought-Tolerant Container Garden Ideas

You can have a garden even if you're an avid traveler. Learn how to create a container garden that will withstand your summer vacation.

Blended Container Garden

Mix plants that have attractive flowers with plants grown for their foliage, and you'll have an extra-appealing container garden idea. Here, purple summer snapdragon and golden coleus will look great all summer. This planting grows best in sun or part shade.

A. Alternanthera 'Red Thread'—2

B. Million bells (Calibrachoa 'Million Bells Terra Cotta')—3

C. Summer snapdragon (Angelonia 'AngelMist Deep Plum')—2

D. Coleus (Solenostemon 'Blond Bombshell')—1

Variegated Foliage Container Garden

Use variegated foliage to create more visual drama in your container gardens. Here, a simple coleus does the trick and is enhanced by the dark purple potato vine. This planting grows best in partial shade.

A. Coleus Solenostemon 'Green Earrings'—3

B. Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas 'Blackie)'—1

C. Bacopa Sutera 'Abunda Blue'—5

Unusual Planter

Incorporate unusual plants for a container garden idea that adds extra zing. Here, the tall lion's ear adds to an already beautiful combination. This planting grows best in full sun.

A. Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas 'Margarita')—1

B. Caricature plant (Graptophyllum pictum)—1

C. Silver sage (Salvia argentea)—1

D. Lion's ear (Leonotis menthaefolia)—1

E. Million bells Calibrachoa 'Million Bells Terra Cotta'—2

Distinctive Container Garden Idea

Here's another example of using a bold plant to create drama in a container garden. Here, the silvery cardoon's size, color, and texture make an impact. It grows best in full sun.

A. Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus)—1

B. Diascia 'Sun Chimes Red'—4

C. Coleus Solenostemon 'Rose Queen'—3

Container Garden With Ornamental Plants

Ornamental grasses add texture to any container garden idea. Here, purple fountaingrass rises up like fireworks out of a collection of bold, beautiful plants. This planting grows best in full sun.

A. Purple fountaingrass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum')—2

B. Dusty miller Centaurea 'Colchester White'—1

C. Diascia 'Sun Chimes Coral'—4

D. Alternanthera 'Red Thread'—2

E. Caricature plant (Graptophyllum pictum)—1

Simply Elegant Planter

Create simplicity and elegance with single-color plantings. Here, shades of silver mix and look particularly wonderful under the moonlight. This planting grows best in full sun.

A. Silver sage (Salvia argentea)—1