20 Best Patio Plants for a Lush Outdoor Space

Fan flowers, which look like tiny fans, are pretty, hardy annuals that bloom all summer long. They come in shades of purple, blue, white and pink and look great spilling out of containers. Fan flowers need full sun.

SHOP FAN FLOWERS

Why not add perennial edibles to your patio garden? New ever-bearing strawberry varieties sport little berries that are almost too pretty to eat! Keeping them in tall pots also prevents your friends, the chipmunks and other rodents, from gnawing on them. Strawberries need full sun.

SHOP STRAWBERRIES

Replace faded annuals with these harbingers of fall in late summer. Mums come in a rainbow of shades, which pair well with autumn’s gourds and pumpkins for a fun seasonal display. They need full sun.

SHOP CHRYSANTHEMUMS

If you want hummingbirds, plant these amazing annuals! Bright orange-y tubular flowers keep pollinators coming back all season long. These annuals need plenty of space to grow, so give them their own container. Cuphea needs full sun.

SHOP CUPHEA

Begonias come in a ton of deep, saturated shades including white, pink, orange, rose, or red. They bloom continuously without deadheading (pinching off spent flowers) until a hard frost. They’re almost impossible to kill! Some types are grown for their spectacular foliage. Most need part to full sun.

SHOP BEGONIAS

Roses are hardier than you think! Shrub or landscape types work well in pots, but make sure the pots can withstand freezing temperatures over the winter. For example, ceramic and terra cotta aren’t good choices; plastic and wood are better options. Roses need full sun.

SHOP ROSES

These climbing plants have trumpet-shaped pink, red or white flowers on vines that climb gracefully up any trellis you provide. You can bring it in over winter in cold climates, but they’re fussy and will drop leaves. They need mostly sun, but give them some shade during the hottest part of the day (especially in Southern climates).

SHOP MANDEVILLA

There’s nothing like popping a freshly picked cherry tomato off the vine and into your mouth! Look for newer varieties which remain compact and pretty in containers, rather than heirloom types, which are sprawling vines. Cherry tomatoes need full sun.

SHOP CHERRY TOMATOES

If you're looking for annuals that thrive on neglect, choose marigolds! They don't mind heat or drought and will last until the first hard freeze. Their bright colors really pop in planters! Pinch off the spent flowers to keep them blooming.

SHOP MARIGOLDS

Make your patio pots do double-duty by adding beauty and giving you fresh herbs for dinner! For full sun, you can’t beat basil; look for different types including Italian, Genovese, purple and Thai. Rosemary is another sun lover. If you have mostly shade, consider cilantro, parsley and thyme, which like sun but do okay in shade.

SHOP HERBS

These cheery, low-maintenance annuals resemble petunias, but they’re actually a different plant. They come in a stunning array of colors with single and double flowers, including pinwheel varieties. They'll even handle a light cold snap. They need part to full sun.

SHOP CALIBRACHOA

Lantana is as tough-as-nails. This annual blooms all summer with zero help from you! It is drought tolerant and loves the sun, so it won't fade when summer is sizzling. Pollinators love it! Lantana needs full sun.

SHOP LANTANA

These hardy plants with silvery foliage and deep purple-blue flowers create a sense of romantic charm. And they smell amazing! Plant these perennials in pretty pots or baskets and place near seating areas so you can run your hands over the flowers to release their fragrance. Lavender needs full sun.

SHOP LAVENDER

This sturdy annual looks amazing cascading out of planters or window boxes. Place pots near seating areas so you can enjoy its honey-sweet scent. It prefers full sun but will take a little shade.

SHOP SWEET ALYSSUM

This fast-growing annual vine comes in creamy white and cheery oranges and yellows. Give Black-eyed Susan vine its own pot and trellis so it can climb to its heart’s content, and create a colorful privacy screen too. It needs part to full sun.

SHOP BLACK-EYED SUSAN VINE

Succulents are, by definition, full of juice, and they sure will bring fun interest to any space. Harsh climate-hardy, they store water in their leaves and stems, making them easy to care for. Be sure to select varieties that will thrive outdoors instead of inside. Most need partial to full sunlight.
SHOP SUCCULENTS

Live somewhere with hot, humid weather? These plants’ large, heart-shaped leaves in pink, red, and green are sure to thrive, and they’re here to prove you don’t have to be a flower to show off vibrant color. They prefer full to partial shade.
SHOP CALADIUMS

Similar to a hydrangea in appearance, these clusters of sweet smelling blooms come in shades of purple, blue, and white. Their Greek name points a habit of facing the sun, but they can’t survive harsh weather. They prefer full sun.
SHOP HELIOTROPES

These South American natives show off hundreds of bell-like blooms that earned them their name, and their vibrant colors scream “summer.” They especially look great in hanging baskets. They prefer full sun.
SHOP MILLION BELLS

As their name suggests, these colorful peppers are grown more for their beauty than their taste. Keep your eye on them as they change colors as they ripen during the summer. They prefer full sun.
SHOP ORNAMENTAL PEPPERS