Indoor Plants, Outdoor Pots
Written by: Casey Ruple, Houseplant Manager
Patio planters don't have to be limited to annual flowers. Combining houseplants with annuals can create beautiful, long-lasting container displays that add texture, color, and interest throughout the summer. Before choosing plants, consider how much light your planter will receive. Shade containers will require shade-loving annuals and most tropicals, while sunny locations are best suited for succulents, drought-tolerant annuals, and sun-loving tropical plants. Watering requirements should also be considered when selecting plants. While planting containers more densely can create competition for moisture and help reduce the risk of overwatering, it is still important to pair plants with similar water needs. Be cautious about combining plants that require consistently moist soil with those that prefer drier conditions, as their differing requirements can make it difficult for all plants to thrive.
A great way to design a patio planter is by using the classic "thriller, filler, spiller" method. Thriller plants provide height and structure, with options such as sansevieria, cast iron plants, and peace lilies offering dramatic focal points. Filler plants add texture and color throughout the container and can include houseplants like marantas, polka dot plants, and ferns, as well as flowering annuals such as fuchsias, begonias, and impatiens. For spillers, consider trailing houseplants like spider plants, pothos, and trailing philodendrons, or annuals such as torenia, a shade-loving bloomer that flowers continuously throughout the summer.
For sunny patios, plant selections should focus on succulents and drought-tolerant annuals that can handle long hours of direct sun and lower water requirements. Citrus trees, olive trees, and other tropical plants can also thrive on a sunny patio during the summer, but they have very different watering needs than succulents and should generally be grown in their own containers. While these plants all enjoy similar light conditions, citrus and olives require more consistent moisture to look their best. Before moving any tropical plants outdoors for the season, make sure nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50°F, as many tropical species are sensitive to cold weather. With thoughtful plant selection and attention to each plant's growing requirements, you can create beautiful patio displays that provide color, texture, and interest all summer long.
