Your patio acts as an additional living area, perfect for unwinding and entertaining. While furnishings are essential, decoration through plants plays a crucial role.
Vibrant patio plants in stylish containers or nearby planting areas can be selected for both longevity and seasonal flair. They can add color and interest for short periods or develop into stunning long-term displays.
Some options offer visual appeal, while others provide delightful fragrances. Many contemporary patio flowers are bred for extended blooming seasons, enhancing both their color and scent. Foliage can be equally striking, sometimes even persisting through winter when your patio is viewed from indoors.
11 Patio Plants for Lively Outdoor Spaces
While pots are a typical choice for patio planting, consider the presence that shrubs or small trees can bring, even in limited spaces.
1. Begonias
Begonias come in various vibrant hues
- Ideal for: Containers, hanging baskets, edging
- Planting tip: Pair with blue annuals like 'Laguna' lobelias
- Deer resistance: Partly
- Hardiness: USDA 10
Begonias thrive in containers on sunny or shaded patios, available in numerous colors and styles. While they may be frost-sensitive and hardy only to USDA Zone 10, they bloom profusely and come in various types.
Tuberous begonias feature lush leaves and large flowers in nearly every color but blue. The Non Stop Series and Summerwings Series offer great options for hanging baskets.
Wax begonias have glossy leaves and small, vibrant flowers that bloom throughout summer. Look for the Surefire Series and larger varieties like 'Dragon's Wing'.
Foliage begonias have distinctive leaves; consider 'Gryphon'.
Growing tips: Place begonias in full sun in cooler climates, but provide shade in warmer areas. They need consistent moisture and protection from frost.
2. Caladium (Angel Wings)
Caladiums boast impressive foliage
- Ideal for: Brightening shade, impressing guests
- Planting tip: Use as a centerpiece in a planter, or with ferns
- Deer resistance: Partly
- Hardiness: USDA Z9
These vibrant, heat-loving plants flaunt large, heart-shaped leaves in striking colors like red, orange, pink, and silver.
Caladiums, which grow from tubers, can be found in 20 different color patterns in the Heart-To-Heart Series.
Growing tips: Start bulbs in moist potting soil when temperatures exceed 55˚F. They'll grow all summer and die back in cooler weather.
3. Citrus
Citrus trees thrive in containers on your patio
- Ideal for: Extended flowering and fruiting, aromatic blooms
- Planting tip: Use as a focal point surrounded by seasonal blooms
- Deer resistance: Mostly
- Hardiness: USDA Z9
Citrus trees are popular in mild climates for their fruits and fragrant flowers. Lemons and limes are generally easier to cultivate.
Seek advice locally to find suitable citrus varieties for your area.
Growing tips: Citrus can thrive in outdoor planters during summer but should be moved to frost-free areas in winter.
4. Gerbera
Gerberas are perfect for cutting gardens
- Ideal for: Container displays, summer borders, cut flowers
- Planting tip: Combine with caladiums and larger begonias
- Deer resistance: Partly
- Hardiness: USDA Z8/9
These vibrant daisies produce upward-facing blooms in a variety of colors, thriving in individual pots.
Look for the Garvinea Series for winter hardiness, or the Patio Series for dazzling colors.
Growing tips: Fertilize regularly and deadhead blooms to encourage more flowers.
5. Hostas
Hostas thrive in shady patio areas
- Ideal for: Planters in shade or nearby borders
- Planting tip: Pair with ornamental grasses
- Deer resistance: No
- Hardiness: USDA Z4
Hostas are hardy perennials with varied leaf shapes and colors, perfect for shady spots.
Look for popular varieties like 'Blue Mouse Ears' or 'Frances Williams'.
Growing tips: Keep them moist and consider a drip irrigation system for easy watering.
6. Petunias
Trailing petunias enhance summer patios
- Ideal for: Bright summer colors in various shades
- Planting tip: Use several in individual planters or baskets
- Deer resistance: Partly
- Hardiness: USDA Z10
Petunias are a favorite annual, boasting trumpet-shaped blooms in endless colors, requiring minimal care.
Check out the Crazytunia Series for unique colors and the Wave Series for trailing varieties.
Growing tips: Regular watering and deadheading can increase blooms.
7. Pieris
Pieris thrive in acidic soil, ideal for container growth
- Ideal for: Cold climates, vibrant spring colors
- Planting tip: Surround with trailing ivies
- Deer resistance: Yes
- Hardiness: USDA Z2
This evergreen shrub features glossy leaves, red spring growth, and clusters of white flowers.
Look for varieties like 'Forest Flame' for white blooms or 'Valley Valentine' for pink.
Growing tips: Use azalea soil for planting in containers.
8. Roses
Patio roses like 'Lovely Bride' shine in planters
- Ideal for: Fragrance, vibrant colors, low thorn varieties
- Planting tip: Use as specimens or in mixed planters
- Deer resistance: Partly
- Hardiness: USDA Z4
Fragrant roses in planters add elegance to patios with their classic scents and colors.
Opt for David Austin English Roses for their smaller size and long blooming season.
Growing tips: Prune annually to enhance blooms.
9. Succulents
Succulents create stunning displays on patios
- Ideal for: Low-water gardens, striking centerpieces
- Planting tip: Combine with gravel for contrast
- Deer resistance: Mostly
- Hardiness: USDA Z9
Succulents thrive in dry conditions, making them eye-catching additions to your patio.
Look for varieties like cacti and agaves, which have bold forms.
Growing tips: Ensure they receive full sun and well-drained soil.
10. Viola
Violas make charming displays in pots
- Ideal for: Planters, window boxes, spring containers
- Planting tip: Combine with other spring blooms
- Deer resistance: Partly
- Hardiness: USDA Z4
These delicate flowers are perfect for cool seasons, providing vibrant color when few others bloom.
Look for the Sorbet Series for a variety of colors.
Growing tips: Regularly feed container plants and monitor for pests.
11. Bamboo
Bamboo provides natural privacy screens
- Ideal for: Privacy, container growth
- Planting tip: Arrange in rows for effective screening
- Deer resistance: Mostly
- Hardiness: varies by type
Bamboo grows quickly, offering an immediate sense of enclosure on your patio.
Choose varieties like black bamboo for unique aesthetics.
Growing tips: Prune to manage height and promote bushier growth.
What are the best low-maintenance patio plants?
While all patio plants require watering and fertilization, some need minimal care. Succulents thrive with little attention, needing just the occasional pruning.
Begonias, impatiens, and petunias do well with little effort, while roses and pieris need minimal annual maintenance.
Caladiums and hostas only require tidying after the season. Frost-sensitive varieties like begonia and petunias must be removed in colder months.
Pieris stands out as a low-maintenance choice.
What are good tall patio plants?
If privacy is essential, bamboo grows rapidly and can reach full height in a year. Other tall options include sunflowers, climbing roses, and some clematis varieties.
How often do you need to feed and water patio plants?
Patio plants require frequent watering and fertilization, especially during warm months. However, individual needs can vary significantly.
Setting up a drip irrigation system can simplify watering, and regular feeding every few weeks is beneficial. A formulated feed for container plants or tomato feed works well.
Ensure proper drainage by elevating planters to prevent excess moisture buildup.
Once you've selected your favorite patio plants, consider cleaning your flower pots to avoid transferring pests. Regular fertilization is crucial for encouraging vibrant blooms.
