21 Best Patios Plants for All Gardening Levels

Plants on the patıo maƴ enhance the home’s hospıtable and ınvıtıng atmosphere. Dependıng on the kınd of plants ƴou choose, ƴou maƴ create a tropıcal ambıance wıth folıage or a lıvelƴ one wıth attractıve blooms that draw pollınators. When kıds come over, ƴou maƴ ınstall safetƴ features to keep the patıo secure. The greatest patıo plants for a festıve touch are lısted below.

Wax Begonıa

A well-known plant havıng a tuberous complex ıs the begonıa. Thıs plant thrıves ın a varıetƴ of envıronments, ıncludıng drought, makıng ıt the perfect choıce for patıos at homes. even when posıtıoned ın the sun. Be careful to take proper care of ıt because of ıts vıvıd colors and need for wet, well-draıned soıl.

Croton

You may see croton plants (Codiaeum variegatum) in the houseplant section of the garden center, but they make excellent patio plants and will grow much larger with outdoor sun and rain exposure. The leathery rainbow-hued leaves thrive in full sun and only require moderate watering.

Pentas

Few plants have the pollinator appeal of the free-flowering pentas plant (Pentas lanceolata). Cheerful star-shaped and nectar-rich flowers bloom in fat, colorful clusters all summer long, You may see pentas in the garden store under other common names, such as star flower, Egyptian Star Flower, or Star Cluster.

Lantana

Lantana plants (Lantana camara) have suffered a bad rap as being invasive in warm areas, but improved cultivars like “New Gold” that are fruitless reduce the plant’s ability to spread. Plants bloom continuously in warm, sunny weather, and exhibit drought resistance, especially in larger patio containers.

Coleus

There’s one very good reason to love coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides). The explosion of new cultivars on the market over the past few years means there are many leaf colors to match any garden design. Grow coleus in some sun or shade, but keep it well-watered for best growth. Deadhead flower spikes to keep plants bushy, or leave them to attract hummingbirds to the patio.

Bromeliad

The strappy tropical leaves of the bromeliad (Bromeliaceae) are a fun patio accent, whether or not your plants decide to produce a bloom. Plants usually fade after blooming, but you can propagate more by repotting the pups that form around the mother plant. They’re typically grown indoors as houseplants, but they may do well in warm weather outdoors in pots.

Caladium

Not many patio plants will put on a great show in full shade, but caladiums (Caladium spp.) do so happily. One thing caladiums don’t like is cold weather. The bulbs will grow slowly or not at all in cool soil, and then spring to life seemingly overnight when summer temps sizzle. Average water needs and a pest-free disposition make caladiums an easy addition to the container garden.

Heliotrope

What’s better, the sweet cherry-vanilla scent of heliotrope (Heliotropium), or the showy violet blossom clusters? This low-maintenance flower is a great container plant and it’s not prone to any serious diseases. The plant benefits from six hours of sun so it will need to stay watered so the soil is evenly moist but never waterlogged.

Million bells

Million bells (Calibrachoa) give you all of the showy tubular blooms of petunias, without the bother of the tobacco budworm that often plagues petunia blooms. Unlike petunias, million bells bloom prolifically in high temperatures and full sun. But if you live in a dry climate, revive your plants by misting them when the sun goes down. Add them to the edge of a patio urn or hanging basket, where they will cascade and trail attractively over the sides.

Hibiscus

Jumbo blooms and neon bright colors make the tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa sinensis) a patio favorite. Just be sure to provide plenty of sunshine and water to keep the bold blossoms coming until fall. The tropical hibiscus is very sensitive to cold temperatures, looking its best in the 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit range, and shutting down when temps drop below 50.

Ornamental pepper

Move over flowers and foliage, because the brilliant fruits of ornamental peppers (Capsicum annuum) shine as brightly as any blooms on a hot summer day. Ornamental peppers are ready to grow on your patio as soon as the weather is right for growing tomatoes.  Although ornamental peppers are small plants with small root balls, they grow well in large pots that don’t dry out too quickly. Plant them at the container’s edge, in front of a tall spiky plant like purple millet, and enjoy the rainbow of colors.

Foxtail fern

Foxtail ferns (Asparagus aethiopicus) add a fun sculptural accent to patio containers and hanging baskets, looking like a Medusa-inspired gathering of bright green plumes. Plant this perennial evergreen in partial shade, and keep it constantly moist.

Creeping jenny

Creeping Jenny, scientifically known as Lysimachia nummularia, is a charming and versatile perennial plant that is widely admired for its vibrant foliage and ground-covering abilities. This plant is also commonly referred to as “Moneywort” due to the round, coin-like shape of its leaves. Creeping Jenny is a favorite among gardeners and landscapers for its ability to add a splash of color and texture to various garden settings.

Pelargonium

Pelargoniums, commonly known as geraniums, are a diverse and colorful genus of flowering plants that belong to the Geraniaceae family. These lovely flowers are popular in gardens and landscapes worldwide, prized for their vibrant blooms and easy cultivation. Pelargoniums have captured the hearts of gardeners and flower enthusiasts for centuries, and their enduring popularity is a testament to their charm and adaptability.