Best Patio Plants for All Gardening Levels

ByWayne Brown
Best Patio Plants for All Gardening Levels

Are you looking to spruce up your patio and create a vibrant outdoor oasis right at your doorstep? Choosing the right plants for your patio can make all the difference in transforming it into a welcoming and inviting space for you and your guests. Whether you have a sunny patio that needs some colorful blooms or a shady retreat that could use some greenery, there are a variety of plants that can add life and texture to your open-air room.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the 21 best patio plants that are perfect for all gardening levels. From low-maintenance options to show-stopping blooms, these plants are sure to brighten up your outdoor space and make it a place you’ll love to relax and entertain in. So let’s dive in and discover the perfect plants for your patio!

Why Choose Plants for Your Patio?

Plants have a magical way of transforming any space, and patios are no exception. Here are a few reasons why adding plants to your patio is a great idea:
– Creates a welcoming environment: Plants add a touch of nature and beauty to your patio, making it a warm and inviting space.
– Adds color and texture: Whether you prefer vibrant blooms or lush greenery, plants can bring a pop of color and texture to your outdoor area.
– Provides privacy: Some plants can act as natural privacy screens, creating a more intimate setting on your patio.
– Repels insects: Certain plants, like lavender, marigolds, and lemongrass, can help repel mosquitoes and other insects, making your time spent outdoors more enjoyable.

Now that you know the benefits of patio plants, let’s explore the top 21 plants that are perfect for all gardening levels.

1. Croton

  • USDA Hardiness Zones:
  • Flower Color Varieties:
  • Light:
  • Soil Needs:
  • Mature Size:
  • Deer Resistant:

Croton plants are not only stunning houseplants but also make excellent patio plants. With their rainbow-hued leaves and easy maintenance requirements, crotons are a great choice for adding a pop of color to your outdoor space. These plants thrive in full sun and only need moderate watering, making them perfect for beginner gardeners.

2. Pentas

  • USDA Hardiness Zones:
  • Flower Color Varieties:
  • Light:
  • Soil Needs:
  • Mature Size:
  • Deer Resistant:

Pentas plants are a favorite among pollinators due to their cheerful star-shaped flowers that bloom in colorful clusters all summer long. These plants are low-maintenance and thrive in sunny weather, making them a perfect addition to your patio garden.

3. Lantana

  • USDA Hardiness Zones:
  • Flower Color Varieties:
  • Light:
  • Soil Needs:
  • Mature Size:
  • Deer Resistant:

Lantana plants have a bad rap for being invasive in warm areas, but improved cultivars like “New Gold” are fruitless and reduce the plant’s ability to spread. These plants bloom continuously in sunny weather and are drought-resistant, making them a great choice for your patio containers.

4. Coleus

  • USDA Hardiness Zones:
  • Flower Color Varieties:
  • Light:
  • Soil Needs:
  • Mature Size:
  • Deer Resistant:

Coleus plants come in a variety of leaf colors, making them a versatile choice for any garden design. These plants can thrive in both sun and shade, as long as they are well-watered. Coleus is also a favorite among hummingbirds, making them a great addition to your patio garden.

5. Bromeliad

  • USDA Hardiness Zones:
  • Flower Color Varieties:
  • Light:
  • Soil Needs:
  • Mature Size:
  • Deer Resistant:

Bromeliads are tropical plants with strappy leaves that add a fun accent to your patio. While they are typically grown indoors as houseplants, they can also thrive outdoors in warm weather. These plants are low-maintenance and can be easily propagated by repotting the pups that form around the mother plant.

6. Caladium

  • USDA Hardiness Zones:
  • Flower Color Varieties:
  • Light:
  • Soil Needs:
  • Mature Size:
  • Deer Resistant:

Caladiums are perfect for adding color to shady areas of your patio. These plants thrive in full shade and have average water needs, making them an easy addition to your container garden. Caladiums may grow slowly in cool soil but will spring to life when summer temperatures rise.

7. New Guinea Impatiens

  • USDA Hardiness Zones:
  • Flower Color Varieties:
  • Light:
  • Soil Needs:
  • Mature Size:
  • Deer Resistant:

New Guinea impatiens are a great alternative to traditional impatiens, as they are unaffected by downy mildew disease. These colorful and profuse blooms thrive in shaded areas of your patio and require constant moisture to thrive.

8. Heliotrope

  • USDA Hardiness Zones:
  • Flower Color Varieties:
  • Light:
  • Soil Needs:
  • Mature Size:
  • Deer Resistant:

Heliotrope plants add a delightful sweet cherry-vanilla scent to your patio, along with showy violet blossom clusters. These low-maintenance plants require six hours of sun and regular watering to keep the soil evenly moist. Heliotrope is not prone to serious diseases, making it a great choice for your patio container.

9. Million Bells

  • USDA Hardiness Zones:
  • Flower Color Varieties:
  • Light:
  • Soil Needs:
  • Mature Size:
  • Deer Resistant:

Million bells are a beautiful alternative to petunias, as they bloom prolifically in high temperatures and full sun. These plants are perfect for edge planting in your patio urn or hanging basket, where they will cascade attractively over the sides. In dry climates, misting the plants in the evening can help revive them.

10. Wax Begonia

  • USDA Hardiness Zones:
  • Flower Color Varieties:
  • Light:
  • Soil Needs:
  • Mature Size:
  • Deer Resistant:

Wax begonias are a versatile choice for your patio, as they tolerate a wide variety of growing conditions. These plants have fleshy stems that help them tolerate drought and can thrive in both sun and shade. Wax begonias should be kept out of direct harsh sunlight to prevent leaf burn.

11. Hibiscus

  • USDA Hardiness Zones:
  • Flower Color Varieties:
  • Light:
  • Soil Needs:
  • Mature Size:
  • Deer Resistant:

Tropical hibiscus plants are known for their jumbo blooms and neon bright colors, making them a favorite for patio gardening. These plants require plenty of sunshine and water to keep the bold blossoms coming until fall. Tropical hibiscus is sensitive to cold temperatures and may not do well in temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

12. Ornamental Pepper

  • USDA Hardiness Zones:
  • Color Varieties:
  • Light:
  • Soil Needs:
  • Mature Size:
  • Deer Resistant:

Ornamental peppers add a pop of color to your patio with their brilliant fruits that shine brightly on a hot summer day. These small plants grow well in large pots that retain moisture, making them a great addition to your patio container garden. Planting ornamental peppers in front of tall spiky plants can create a striking visual effect.

13. Foxtail Fern

  • USDA Hardiness Zones:
  • Flower Color Varieties:
  • Light:
  • Soil Needs:
  • Mature Size:
  • Deer Resistant:

Foxtail ferns are a fun sculptural accent for patio containers and hanging baskets, with bright green plumes that resemble a Medusa-inspired gathering. These perennial evergreens thrive in partial shade and require constant moisture to stay healthy and vibrant in your patio garden.

14. Creeping Jenny

  • USDA Hardiness Zones:
  • Flower Color Varieties:
  • Light:
  • Soil Needs:
  • Mature Size:
  • Deer Resistant:

Creeping Jenny, also known as moneywort, is a versatile patio plant that can be used for container edging, ground covers, hanging baskets, or as a splash of chartreuse foliage. These plants prefer constant moisture and partial sun, as strong afternoon sun can bleach the leaves. Creeping Jenny is a great choice for adding a touch of green to your patio.

15. Pelargonium

  • USDA Hardiness Zones:
  • Flower Color Varieties:
  • Light:
  • Soil Needs:
  • Mature Size:
  • Deer Resistant:

Pelargonium plants, also known as zonal or regal geraniums, are a popular choice for patio gardening. These plants come in a variety of flower colors and thrive in full sun with regular watering and monthly feeding. Pelargoniums are perfect for adding a burst of color to your patio, with deep purple flowers that have a pink picotee edge.

16. Cannas

  • USDA Hardiness Zones:
  • Flower Color Varieties:
  • Light:
  • Soil Needs:
  • Mature Size:
  • Deer Resistant:

Cannas are attention-grabbing plants that make great screening plants for your patio. These plants are hungry and thirsty, requiring regular watering and feeding with a balanced plant fertilizer to reach their full potential. Cannas are a bold and beautiful addition to your outdoor space.

17. Purple Fountain Grass

  • USDA Hardiness Zones:
  • Flower Color Varieties:
  • Light:
  • Soil Needs:
  • Mature Size:
  • Deer Resistant:

Purple fountain grass is an easy way to add instant texture to your patio, with lovely purple plumes that wave in the breeze. These plants look stunning on their own or paired with trailing plants like sweet potato vine. While low-maintenance, purple fountain grass should be kept away from windy areas and may need staking to prevent flopping.

18. Golden Bamboo

  • USDA Hardiness Zones:
  • Flower Color Varieties:
  • Light:
  • Soil Needs:
  • Mature Size:
  • Deer Resistant:

Golden bamboo is a stunning privacy plant that can reach impressive heights in your patio garden. While some bamboo varieties can be invasive, smaller varieties like heavenly bamboo or dwarf golden bamboo are great choices for patio container gardens. These plants prefer some shade in the hottest part of the day and should be watered frequently to thrive.

19. Dwarf Alberta Spruce

  • USDA Hardiness Zones:
  • Flower Color Varieties:
  • Light:
  • Soil Needs:
  • Mature Size:
  • Deer Resistant:

If you’re looking for an evergreen container specimen for your patio, consider the tidy habit of the dwarf Alberta spruce. These plants maintain a perfect conical form without the need for trimming or shaping. Dwarf Alberta spruces are hardy and can survive winter in a container in a sheltered area, making them a great choice for a patio accent.

20. Gardenia

  • USDA Hardiness Zones:
  • Flower Color Varieties:
  • Light:
  • Soil Needs:
  • Mature Size:
  • Deer Resistant:

Gardenia plants are known for their heady fragrance and delicate white flowers. While traditionally grown as houseplants, gardenias can also thrive as patio specimens with the right care. These plants prefer to be undisturbed, so choose a large container that will be a long-term home for your gardenia. Add mulch to keep the roots evenly moist and prune after flowering for best results.

21. Boxwood

  • USDA Hardiness Zones:
  • Flower Color Varieties:
  • Light:
  • Soil Needs:
  • Mature Size:
  • Deer Resistant:

Boxwood shrubs are an elegant choice for adding a touch of formality to your patio. These dense-leaved plants can be shaped into neat silhouettes and come in dwarf varieties that are perfect for container gardening. Boxwoods are a versatile plant that can be used as shrubs, small trees, or even screening plants for your patio.

So there you have it – the top 21 plants that are perfect for all gardening levels to spruce up your patio. Whether you’re a beginner gardener looking for low-maintenance options or a seasoned plant enthusiast searching for show-stopping blooms, these plants are sure to brighten up your outdoor space and create a welcoming environment for you to enjoy. Happy gardening!

Similar Posts