Skip to content

Top Navigation

Better Homes & Gardens
  • Holidays
  • Gardening
  • Recipes and Cooking
  • Decorating
  • Home Improvement Ideas
  • Cleaning and Organizing
  • Shop
  • Rooms
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Family
  • Pets
  • Local Services

Profile Menu

My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Insider
  • BH&G Magazine Archive
Login
Subscribe
Pin

Explore Better Homes & Gardens

Better Homes & Gardens
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 7 of the Most Common Perennial Garden Mistakes to Avoid

      Are your plants not looking as lush and colorful as you hoped? Make sure you haven't made any of these missteps. Read More Next
    • 6 Small Steps You Can Take Today to Get Organized for Good

      A professional organizer offers advice on how to tidy up your home without feeling overwhelmed. Read More Next
    • 5 Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients to Add to Your Smoothie for a Healthy Boost

      Anti-inflammatory smoothies do exist! Instead of blending in boatloads of sugar and artificial ingredients, try these smoothies for inflammation that are stoked with ingredients that may help lower your risk for chronic diseases including cancer, heart disease, depression, and more. Read More Next
  • Holidays

    Holidays

    See All Holidays

    International Women’s Day: The Powerful Story Behind This 109-Year-Old Tradition

    What began as a small movement in 1908 has become a global holiday dedicated to celebrating the strong women in our communities.
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • Hanukkah
    • New Year's
    • Halloween
    • Valentine's Day
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Father's Day
  • Gardening

    Gardening

    See All Gardening

    4 DIY Seed-Starting Pots You Can Make With Items You Already Have

    Upcycle old newspapers, junk mail, and other waste paper to make these easy, eco-friendly containers you can use to sprout new plants for your garden.
    • Flowers
    • Houseplants
    • Plant Encyclopedia
    • Garden Pests
    • Trees, Shrubs & Vines
    • Caring for Your Yard
    • Edible Gardening
    • Garden Design
    • Gardening By Region
    • Landscaping
  • Recipes and Cooking

    Recipes and Cooking

    See All Recipes and Cooking

    21 Essential Baking Tools Every Home Cook Needs (Plus 16 That Are Nice to Have)

    If you’re a beginner baker who’s just starting out (or a master chef looking to declutter), start with this list of baking tool must-haves. We’ll help you set up a baking kit for beginners with 21 essential tools. For those who already own these tools, this list may finally provide the motivation you need to toss that never-been-used soufflé dish. Building your essential baking toolbox starts here!
    • How to Cook
    • Chicken Recipes
    • Desserts & Baking
    • Fish Recipes
    • Beef Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch
    • Dinner Recipes & Meal Ideas
    • Ethnic Food
  • Decorating

    Decorating

    See All Decorating

    7 Interior Design Trends Everyone Will Be Trying in 2021, According to Experts

    Designers weigh in on the most popular decorating styles, colors, and materials you can look forward to in the coming year.
    • Choosing Color
    • Expert Decorating Advice
    • Fireplace Design Ideas
    • Do It Yourself Magazine
    • Window Treatments
    • Styles & Decor
    • Interior Painting
    • Home Makeovers
    • Small-Space Decorating
    • Traditional Home
  • Home Improvement Ideas

    Home Improvement Ideas

    See All Home Improvement Ideas

    What Style Is Your House? The 10 Most Popular House Styles Explained

    With so many types of house styles, narrowing the list down to your favorite can be overwhelming. We'll show you the top 10 most popular house styles, including Cape Cod, country French, Colonial, Victorian, Tudor, Craftsman, cottage, Mediterranean, ranch, and contemporary. Here's how to tell the differences between each architectural style.
    • Home Exteriors
    • DIY Home Electrical Tips & Guides
    • Outdoor Structures
    • Home Remodeling
    • Plumbing Installations & Repairs
    • Remodeling Advice & Planning
    • Flooring
    • Lighting
    • Decks
    • Porches
  • Cleaning and Organizing

    Cleaning and Organizing

    See All Cleaning and Organizing

    A Whole-House Cleaning Schedule You'll Actually Stick To

    Cleaning your home doesn't have to be a daunting, time-consuming chore. The key to managing household duties quickly and efficiently is to design an easy-to-follow routine that includes all the most important tasks. Follow these step-by-step instructions for creating a customized whole-home cleaning schedule.
    • House Cleaning
    • Laundry & Linens
    • Cleaning Tips
    • Closet Organization
    • Organization Tips
    • Kitchen Storage Organization
  • Shop
  • Rooms

    Rooms

    See All Rooms

    Living Room Furniture Arrangement Ideas

    Get tips for arranging living room furniture in a way that creates a comfortable and welcoming environment and makes the most of your space.
    • Bedroom Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Bathroom Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Kitchen Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Living Room Decorating and Design
    • Dining Room
    • Home Office
    • Kid's Rooms
    • Baby Nursery
  • News
  • Beauty & Style

    Beauty & Style

    See All Beauty & Style

    Here's Exactly How to Find Your Perfect Nude Nail Color

    Truth be told, there's no such thing as a universal nude.
    • Anti-Aging
    • Hair
    • Skin Care
    • Makeup
    • Style
    • Nails
  • Health & Family

    Health & Family

    See All Health & Family

    7 Small But Impactful Ways to Fit Self-Care Into Your Day Right Now

    Staying atop of your wellbeing is a must, especially during uncertain, stressful times. These tips will help you make time for self-care for a mental health boost every day.
    • Family Activities
    • Reunions
    • Conditions
    • Parenting Skills
  • Pets

    Pets

    See All Pets

    50 Perfect Calico Cat Names for Your Beautiful Kitty

    Use your pet's unique coat as inspiration on what to call them.
    • Dogs and Puppies
    • Cats
    • Caring for Your Pet
  • Local Services

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Insider
  • BH&G Magazine Archive
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. BHG.com
  2. Gardening
  3. Container Gardens
  4. Container Plans & Ideas
  5. 36 Great Containers for Gardening

36 Great Containers for Gardening

By BH&G Garden Editors
Updated February 14, 2020
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin FB
If you love planting container gardens but don't know where to start, check out our slide show of 36 recipes you can follow for success. Find your perfect container for gardening in our collection of container garden recipes.
Start Slideshow

1 of 36

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Create a perfect cottage container garden in a window by using soft shades of pink and purple and plants that have loose, open shapes. Here, petunias, licorice plant, and verbena do the job perfectly. This planting grows best in full sun.

A. Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas ‘Blackie’) — 1

B. Licorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare) — 1

C. Petunia ‘Carpet Lilac’ — 2

D. Verbena ‘Aztec Pink Magic’— 1

E. Wishbone flower (Torenia ‘Summer Wave Blue’) — 1

F. Salvia ‘Lady in Red’— 1

G. Petunia ‘Ramblin White’— 1

H. Petunia ‘Pink Daddy’ — 1

1 of 36

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 36

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

A beautiful window box container garden can be simple or complex. Here, colorful petunias in interesting galvanized pots have just as much impact as a many-hued combination. This planting grows best in a spot that gets full sun.

A. Petunia ‘Wave Pink’ — 1

2 of 36

3 of 36

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Use contrasting colors to create drama in your container for gardening. Here, shades of purple mix well together—and make a stunning contrast for a salmon geranium. This planting grows best in full sun.

A. Lobelia erinus — 3

B. Petunia ‘Blue Velvet’ — 1

C. Geranium (Pelargonium ‘Fantasia Salmon’) — 2

D. Viola ‘Sorbet Purple Duet’— 2

E. Lavender pink petunia — 1

3 of 36

Advertisement

4 of 36

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Create a container for gardening that will attract attention by using bold colors and tropical plants. Here, a tree-form hibiscus adds even more appeal. This planting grows best in full sun.

A. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis — 1

B. Japanese bloodgrass (Imperata cylindrica ‘Rubra’) — 3

C. Salvia (Salvia splendens) — 3

D. New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens ‘Celebration Deep Red’) — 3

4 of 36

5 of 36

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Perennial Container Gardens

You can add perennials to any container garden for year-after-year beauty. Stick to the well-known rule of having a spiller, a thriller and a filler plant in each container.

5 of 36

6 of 36

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Bright shades of yellow catch the eye, even across the yard, in this sunny container for gardening. Here, golden sunflowers with their big, bold blooms make an impact. This cheery container grows best in full sun.

A. Dwarf sunflower (Helianthus ‘Elf’) — 3

B. Snapdragon (Antirrhinum ‘Yellow Chimes’) — 6

C. Celosia ‘Fresh Look Yellow’ — 3

D. Marigold (Tagetes ‘Janie Bright Yellow’) — 4

E. Lysimachia ‘Outback Sunset’ — 3

F. Potato vine (Solanum jasminoides ‘Variegata’) — 2

Related: Top Butterfly Container Garden Ideas

6 of 36

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 36

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Great container gardens appeal to several senses. Here, a hybrid rose and thyme offer scents as good as their looks. This planting grows best in full sun.

A. Miniature rose (Rosa spp.) — 1

B. Creeping thyme (Thymus spp.) — 3

C. English ivy (Hedera helix) — 3

7 of 36

8 of 36

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Plan properly if you need to keep a container for gardening in a tough spot. Here, for example, canna, lantana, and maidengrass stand up to heat and humidity to look good all summer long. This planting grows best in full sun or partial shade.

A. Canna ‘Pretoria’ — 2

B. Lantana ‘Lucky White’ — 4

C. Coleus (Solenostemon ‘Dappled Dawn’) — 1

D. Coleus (Solenostemon ‘Dark Frills’) — 2

E. Vinca major ‘Variegata’ — 3

F. Melampodium paludosum — 1

G. Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas ‘Margarita’) — 1

H. Maidengrass (Miscanthus sinensis) — 1

8 of 36

9 of 36

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Use ornamental grasses to add height and texture to any container for gardening. Here, purple fountaingrass adds extra color, too. This planting grows best in partial shade.

A. Purple fountaingrass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’) — 2

B. Coleus (Solenostemon ‘Sun Velvet Red’) — 3

C. Plectranthus ‘Variegatus’ — 2

D. Impatiens ‘Dazzler Pink’ — 2

E. Licorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare) — 2

9 of 36

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 36

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Succulent Container Gardens

We'll never get bored of succulents—they come in so many shapes and colors! Succulents make the perfect low-maintenance container garden. Learn the secrets to a successful succulent container.

10 of 36

11 of 36

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

With fantastic foliage, you don't even need flowers in a container for gardening. Look for plants that have colorful foliage, such as the coleus used here. This planting grows best in partial shade.

A. Coleus (Solenostemon ‘Black Dragon’) — 3

B. Coleus (Solenostemon ‘Wizard Jade’) — 3

C. Coleus (Solenostemon ‘Dress Me Up’) — 3

D. Ruellia brittoniana — 1

11 of 36

12 of 36

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Here's another example of how you can create a great bloomless container when planting a container for gardening with interesting foliage. A purple phormium contrasts delightfully with a golden-variegated plectranthus. This planting grows best in partial shade.

A. New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax) — 1

B. Plectranthus ‘Easy Gold’ — 2

C. Society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea) — 2

D. Silver thyme (Thymus ‘Argenteus’) — 1

E. Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) — 1

F. Philodendron ‘Prince of Orange’ — 1

12 of 36

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 36

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Planting in a great pot can make all the difference in a container for gardening. Here, an old rusty wheelbarrow makes a charming container garden. This planting grows best in full sun.

A. Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) — 1

B. Perilla ‘Magilla’ — 3

C. Diascia ‘Diamonte Lavender Pink’— 3

13 of 36

14 of 36

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Repeating an element is one of the most effective tools of garden design. It applies to containers for gardening, too. Here, purple New Zealand flax and coralbells go together, as well as the arching form of the flax and the fiber optic grass. This planting grows best in partial sun.

A. Fiber optic grass (Scirpus cernuus) — 1

B. Coralbells (Heuchera ‘Amethyst Mist’) — 1

C. New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax) — 1

D. Variegated geranium (Pelargonium ‘Happy Thought’) — 1

E. Calamondin (Citrofortunella microcarpa) — 1

14 of 36

15 of 36

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Video: Container Garden Design Tips

Watch this quick video for tips on creating your own stunning container gardens.

15 of 36

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 36

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

You don't need lots of color for a gorgeous container garden. Here, different shades of green and interesting textures combine delightfully. This planting grows best in full shade.

A. Ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) — 1

B. Canary Island ivy (Hedera canariensis) — 3

C. Sanvitalia ‘Little Sun’ — 3

D. Plectranthus ‘Variegata’ — 3

16 of 36

17 of 36

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Here's another example of how mixing shades of green can look great in a container for gardening. As the season progresses, the sweet potato vine and licorice plant will trail down and cover the pot. This planting grows in sun or shade.

A. Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas ‘Margarita’) — 2

B. Licorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare ‘Limelight’) — 2

C. Bacopa (Sutera cordata) — 3

17 of 36

18 of 36

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Don't be intimidated if you don't have full sun. A mix of colorful annuals, such as the ones shown here, will bloom all summer long—even in full shade.

A. White Begonia (B. x tuberhybrida) — 2

B. Browallia speciosa — 2

C. Impatiens ‘Super Elfin Salmon Blush’ — 2

D. Lobelia erinus ‘Regatta Lilac’ — 1

E. Hedera helix — 1

18 of 36

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 36

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Keep in mind that containers can do double-duty. Here, a combination of low-growing plants works perfectly as a centerpiece for a party or as an accent on a wall, bench, table, or other structure. This container for gardening grows best in shade.

A. Persian shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus) — 2

B. Begonia ‘Cocktail Vodka’ — 2

C. Wishbone flower (Torenia ‘Clown Mix’) — 3

19 of 36

20 of 36

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Choosing the Right Pot

Sometimes the container itself is just as important as the plants you put in it. Learn how to choose the right pot for your next container garden.

20 of 36

21 of 36

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Swap plants out through the season to create different looks. Here for example, this bleeding heart looks beautiful in spring. Once it fades, plant it in the garden and grow fragrant purple heliotrope in the container instead. This planting grows best in shade.

A. Dicentra spectabilis—1

B. Impatiens ‘Ole Starburst’—3

C. Variegated ground ivy Glechoma hederacea ‘Variegata’—3

D. Bacopa Sutera cordata ‘Abunda White’—1

21 of 36

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 36

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Favorite scented plants fill a terra-cotta pot tucked into a sturdy basket. Herbs and scented geraniums, in particular, offer a vast array of tantalizing fragrances, depending on the plants you choose.

A. Eucalyptus

B. Heliotrope Heliotropium spp.

C. Scented geranium ‘Attar of Roses’ Pelargonium

D. Lavender lavandula angustifolia

E. Sweet alyssum Lobularia maritima

F. Plectranthus ciliatus ‘Vanilla Twist’

G. Lobelia erinus

22 of 36

23 of 36

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The irresistible textures of this display will encourage you to place it near a bench or entryway, where it can easily be seen and touched.

A. Northern sea oats Chasmanthium latifolium

B. Fiber optic grass Scirpus cernuus

C. Ageratum ‘Artist Blue’

D. Silver sage Salvia argentea

E. Chenille plant Acalypha hispida

F. Lavender lavandula angustifolia

G. Helichrysum petiolare ‘Lemon Licorice’

23 of 36

24 of 36

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

A bright punch of color makes a splash in this sensational planter that blooms from spring into fall. A 1-inch-deep layer of pea gravel in the bottom of the container facilitates drainage.

A. Salvia farinacea ‘Victoria Blue’

B. Zinnia ‘Profusion Orange’; ‘Profusion Pink’

C. Osteospermum ‘Symphony’

D. Sweet alyssum Lobularia maritima

E. Sanvitalia

F. Lobelia erinus ‘Compact Blue’

24 of 36

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 36

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Salad Container Garden

A container garden that's equal parts functional and beautiful, this salad container garden gives you fresh produce at your fingertips.

25 of 36

26 of 36

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Careful plant selection turns up the volume in this potted scheme. Rustling grasses tease eardrums, while other plants attract bees and birds that add their own sounds to the garden.

A. Ornamental millet ‘Purple Majesty’ Pennisetum glaucum

B. Gaura lindheimeri

C. Butterfly weed Asclepias tuberosa

D. Heucherella ‘Quicksilver’

E. Variegated sweet potato vine Ipomoea batatas

F. Trailing snapdragon Antirrhinum majus

G. Chartreuse sweet potato vine Ipomoea batatas

H. Lantana

26 of 36

27 of 36

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

An aged wooden box outfitted with a plastic liner features edible picks that are mild to peppery in flavor. Edible flowers are best eaten by the petals, rather than whole, so you can savor their typically delicate flavors.

A. Miniature rose Rosa

B. Dill Anethum graveolens

C. Grape tomato

D. Mint Mentha spp.

E. Zinnia

F. Parsley Petroselinum crispum

G. Dianthus

H. Nasturtium Tropaeolum

I. Sweet potato vine Ipomoea batatas

J. Sage Salvia ‘Tricolo’

K. Viola

27 of 36

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 36

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email