Choosing the Best Perennials and Annuals for Containers
Container gardening with flowers is one of the easiest ways to add instant color, fragrance, and charm to any space—no yard required. Whether you’re planting on a sunny patio, a shaded porch, or a small balcony, the right flowers in the right containers can transform your space into a blooming oasis.
The Best Flowers for Containers
Best Perennial Flowers for Containers
Perennials offer some of the most beautiful flowers out there—with the added bonus that they’ll come back every year! Here are some of our favorite perennials suitable for containers:
- Astilbe
- Bee balm
- Bergenia
- Bleeding heart
- Coneflower
- Evening primrose
- Daylily hybrids
- Hostas (dwarf or miniature varieties)
- Maltese cross
- Salvia
- Speedwell
Best Annual Flowers for Containers
Annuals are stunning in their own right, and their benefit is that they are easy to mix and match. If you don’t like how they look one season, just try again with different annuals next year! Some of the best annuals for containers include:
- Begonia
- Browallia
- Coleus
- Coreopsis
- Dusty miller
- Fuchsia
- Lobelia
- Marigold
- Morning glory
- Nasturtiums
- Pansies
- Petunias
- Portulaca
- Snapdragon
- Statice
- Sweet alyssum
- Sweet pea
Top 5 Container Gardening Tips
- Be sure that any container you use has drainage holes.
- Avoid small containers. They often can’t store enough water to get through hot days, so they will need constant care. Large pots also insulate roots better.
- Clay pots are usually more attractive than plastic ones, but plastic pots retain moisture better. Consider a plastic pot inside a larger clay one to get the best of both worlds!
- New, lightweight materials, such as fiberglass, plastic, or foam composites, make moving pots easier.
- Use potting mix, not soil; not only is it light, but the fluffy blend provides roots with more oxygen and nutrients.
How to Plant Flowers in Containers
- To plant, place the container where you want your flowers to grow. Be sure it receives enough sun.
- Add a one-inch layer of fine gravel, horticultural charcoal, or clay pot shards to the bottom of the container so that water doesn’t collect.
- Fill the container 2/3 full with potting mix.
- With your hands, make a hole in the potting mix about the diameter of the pot your plant came in.
- Knock the flower out of its pot, spread its roots slightly, and place it in the hole.
- Add more potting mix to bring the level up to 1 to 2 inches below the container top.
- Water gently, lightly press the growing medium to reduce air pockets, add more potting mix if necessary, then water again.
- Feed container plants at least twice a month with liquid fertilizer, following the instructions on the label.
- Keep the growing medium moist. The container plant is totally at your mercy for water.
- As winter approaches in cold climates, you’ll need to bring perennial flowers inside.
Frequently Asked Questions
What flowers grow best in containers?
Many flowers thrive in containers, including annuals like petunias, marigolds, and pansies, as well as perennials such as hostas, coneflowers, and daylilies. Choose flowers based on sun exposure, container size, and your climate.
Do container flowers need special soil?
Yes. Always use a high-quality potting mix—not garden soil. Potting mix is lighter, drains well, and provides better airflow and nutrients for container-grown roots.
How often should I water flowers in containers?
Container flowers usually need more frequent watering than garden beds, especially during hot weather. Check soil moisture daily and water when the top inch feels dry.
Do containers need drainage holes?
Absolutely. Drainage holes prevent water from pooling at the bottom of the pot, which can cause root rot and unhealthy plants.
Can perennial flowers survive winter in containers?
In cold climates, most perennial container plants need protection. Bring containers indoors, move them to a sheltered location, or insulate the pots to prevent roots from freezing.
How often should I fertilize container flowers?
Feed container flowers with a liquid fertilizer about twice a month during the growing season, following label directions.
See our library of Growing Guides for more information on growing and caring for the most common garden flowers.
Getting Started with Flower Gardening
Building a Raised Flower Bed Garden
Choosing Flowers
Types of Flower Gardens
Growing Flowers in Containers
Spring and Fall Bulbs
Caring for Flowers
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