16 Nice Low-Upkeep Outside Potted Vegetation

Potted vegetation can add greenery and softness to patios, porches, stoops, decks, and fireplace escapes. Naked or bland out of doors areas are immediately remodeled with tall greenery in large tubs and climbing vines, hanging blooms, and even smaller vegetation in quirky-cool pots, including curiosity and whimsy. The probabilities are limitless!

Beneath is a listing of low-maintenance potted vegetation that’ll add character to your out of doors areas. These vegetation are additionally fairly robust, withstanding temperature fluctuations and windy circumstances.

Warning

A few of the vegetation on this listing are poisonous to pets. For extra details about the protection of particular vegetation, seek the advice of the ASPCA’s searchable database.

October Daphne (Hylotelephium sieboldii)

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October Daphne is a super-hardy succulent supreme for filling in sunny areas under different taller vegetation. It retains weeds at bay and makes a fairly inexperienced carpet in a much bigger pot.

This plant is carefully associated to sedum succulents, which comprise greater than 300 species with varied leaf shapes. October Daphne want full solar or near it (in any other case they’re going to get leggy), however they will face up to freezing temperatures, making them supreme for out of doors planting.

Plant Care Ideas

  • USDA Rising Zones: Zones 4-9.
  • Solar Publicity: Full to half-sun.
  • Soil Wants: Any soil.

Rose (Rosa)

Veena Nair / Getty Photos


Roses make nice container vegetation they usually climb fantastically if skilled. Whilst you would possibly consider roses as finicky and troublesome to develop, newer cultivars and hybrid varieties sow that the plant’s pickiness is way much less an element than it was.

You should definitely search for roses labeled “simple care.” Should you give these varieties loads of solar and common watering, you may be stunned how little consideration they want.

Plant Care Ideas

  • USDA Rising Zones: Zones 5-11 however is determined by rose selection.
  • Solar Publicity: Full solar to half shade.
  • Soil Wants: Nicely-drained, barely acidic.

Clematis (Clematis viticella)

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Clematis is a wonderful climbing possibility for a big pot, although it wants a trellis to cling to. This plant additionally affords a good way to get peak in your out of doors house shortly with out rising (or shopping for) a big tree.

There are numerous colours and forms of clematis—they’re simple to develop and produce loads of flowers—however purple is a traditional alternative.

Do not confuse this plant with candy autumn clematis (C. terniflora), a extremely invasive noxious weed (it has small white flowers).

Plant Care Ideas

  • USDA Rising Zones: Zones 4-8.
  • Solar Publicity: Full solar to half shade.
  • Soil Wants: Nicely-drained.

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)

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As soon as established, rosemary is so robust you may barely want to consider it (besides to trim it again when it grows out of its pot). It offers effectively with dry circumstances and overwinters like a champ, even protecting its darkish inexperienced colour by the years.

Rosemary likes loads of solar and will get leggy and sparse in shadier spots.

Plant Care Ideas

  • USDA Rising Zone: Zone 7-11 (however some cold-hard varieties can be found).
  • Solar Publicity: Full solar, partial shade.
  • Soil Wants: Mild, well-draining.

Hosta (hosta)

Jennifer Senerkin / Getty Photos


Hostas—with their fairly, large leaves and hardy disposition—are supreme container vegetation. Preserving them in pots additionally prevents deer from consuming them (deer love their hostas!).

These shade-loving vegetation do finest in a coated patio or beneath a potted tree with huge boughs to guard them from the solar.

Plant Care Ideas

  • USDA Rising Zones: Zones 3-9.
  • Solar Publicity: Half shade to full shade 
  • Soil Wants: Wealthy potting soil.

Winter Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum)

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Winter Jasmine is a troublesome little plant that does not appear like a lot a lot of the 12 months. Its fairly inexperienced leaves are small and shiny, and general the plant is inoffensive and straightforward to miss. However in late winter or early spring, relying on the local weather, it blooms with essentially the most decadent-smelling white flowers, which really feel extra-special since not a lot else blooms after they do.

This plant is ideal for pots on the patio (put it subsequent to the door and benefit from the scent as you come and go) and it overwinters effectively in zones 8a-11a. Do not choose a strong-smelling flower? Contemplate a yellow-flower winter jasmine selection that does not have a scent.

Plant Care Ideas

  • USDA Rising Zones: Zones 6-10.
  • Solar Publicity: Full solar to gentle shade.
  • Soil: Moist, well-draining.

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

Grbender / Getty Photos


The Boston fern is another choice for shadier out of doors areas. Whereas usually hung beneath porch eaves, these vegetation develop properly in planters.

Along with minimal solar (some oblique gentle is nice), Boston ferns want moisture, so preserve their soil moist and provides their leaves an everyday mist. Apart from that, this fern is a gorgeous, easy-to-care-for plant.

You may must carry Boston ferns inside in frigid climates, as they will not survive freezing or near-freezing temperatures.

These vegetation are native to Florida. If you plant them elsewhere, they have a tendency to crowd different vegetation, so preserve them in containers or pots.

Plant Care Ideas

  • USDA Rising Zones: Zones 10-13.
  • Solar Publicity: Vibrant and oblique; solar should not shine instantly on leaves for lengthy durations.
  • Soil: Wants a wealthy, loamy combine (no sand or pebble mixes).

String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)

 Jessica Ruscello / Getty Photos


An alternative choice for the underside of a planter or hanging basket, one of these succulent grows shortly and simply so long as it will get loads of solar and is comparatively protected and out of main winds, so the nook of a patio or deck is good.

The string of pearls is so uncommon and such a pleasant praise to broader-leafed vegetation that it deserves inclusion right here.

Plant Care Ideas

  • USDA Rising Zones: Zones 9-12.
  • Solar Publicity: Vibrant, direct gentle.
  • Soil: Sandy, dry soil that drains effectively.

Japanese Maple (Acer japonicum)

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Sure, technically this can be a tree, however it grows slowly sufficient that it is a common container plant usually seen on patios and decks in large pots.

The Japanese maple is a perfect bigger plant for greater pots and may maintain its personal as a press release plant. It could overwinter efficiently outside in most climates, together with those who freeze, however it can lose its leaves in winter, so preserve that in thoughts when you use your patio within the winter months.

You should definitely go for the Acer japonicum selection, because the Acer palmatum kind of Japanese Maple is taken into account invasive in some Japanese U.S. states.

Plant Care Ideas

  • USDA Rising Zones: Zones 5-7.
  • Solar Publicity: Full solar, partial shade.
  • Soil: Wealthy, moist potting soil.

Azalea (Rhododendron)

Rodho / Getty Photos


Many azaleas are very cold-tolerant and make supreme low-maintenance container vegetation that may overwinter with out a lot care in most locations.

They bloom magnificently within the spring and are available in quite a lot of colours, abandoning fairly leaves for the remainder of the season. Decide native azaleas for finest ends in your local weather.

Plant Care Ideas

  • USDA Rising Zones: Zones 5-9; some varieties hardy to zone 4.
  • Solar Publicity: Vibrant gentle to direct solar.
  • Soil: Nicely-draining soil.

English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Jackie Parker / Getty Photos


Lavender is hardy, grows slowly, and tolerates dry circumstances as soon as established. It does want full solar, however it overwinters effectively even in extraordinarily chilly circumstances (be certain you get English lavender for the chilly tolerance, as different lavender varieties do not take care of chilly as effectively).

Plant Care Ideas

  • USDA Rising Zones: Zones 5-9.
  • Solar Publicity: Full solar or near it.
  • Soil: Dry, well-draining.

Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)

Katrin Ray Shumakov / Getty Photos


You may usually see hydrangeas in entrance of porches or alongside backyard edges, however they take time to get large, so it is sensible to develop them up in a pleasant large pot earlier than placing them within the floor. Alkaline soil causes pink flowers to develop whereas acidic soil creates blue flowers (soil pH is less complicated to regulate in a pot, one other benefit), so preserve that in thoughts.

Plant Care Ideas

  • USDA Rising Zones: Zones 6-11.
  • Solar Publicity: Partial shade to full shade.
  • Soil: Wealthy and well-drained.

Coleus (Coleus scutellarioides)

Zen Rial / Getty Photos


Coleus is one other shade-loving plant with lovely leaves, like hostas, and pairs effectively with them in containers.

It grows simply all summer time and fall so long as it is well-watered. This one will die again in most locations throughout colder climate aside from the warmest climates.

Notice that coleus is taken into account invasive in Hawaii.

Plant Care Ideas

  • USDA Rising Zones: Zones 10-11.
  • Solar Publicity: Half to full shade. 
  • Soil: Nicely-draining. 

Geraniums (Pelargonium)

Isabel Pavia / Getty Photos


Geraniums want full solar or they get leggy and do not bloom a lot, however apart from that, they’re simple to develop and each leaves and flowers are showy and enticing.

Drought-tolerant, geraniums bloom all summer time and into fall. Hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies additionally discover their flowers very interesting.

Plant Care Ideas

  • USDA Rising Zones: Zones 9-12.
  • Solar Publicity: Full solar.
  • Soil: Nicely-drained.

Mock Orange (Philadelphus)

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Mock orange blooms from spring to summer time and may develop right into a 12-foot by 12-foot bush, however will also be trimmed and saved in a big planter or used to make a display screen in a container.

Its tiny blooms odor like orange blossoms, which is a part of the plant’s attraction, however it’s additionally extremely robust, tolerating dry circumstances and over-pruning.

Plant Care Ideas

  • USDA Rising Zones: Zones 4-8.
  • Solar Publicity: Full solar to partial shade.
  • Soil: Nicely-drained soil.

Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)

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Blueberry bushes are native to the U.S. and produce scrumptious fruit—however additionally they make an ideal foliage bush, turning reddish within the fall and sporting bell-shaped flowers within the spring. They may carry pollinators to your backyard and do effectively within the floor, as a hedge, or in a container.

Plant Care Ideas

  • USDA Rising Zones: Zones 3-8.
  • Solar Publicity: Full solar to partial shade.
  • Soil: Nicely-drained, acidic soil.

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