Transform your patio, balcony, or garden into a lush, green retreat with the best vines for containers. Whether you’re short on space or looking to add vertical interest to your outdoor oasis, these climbing plants offer stunning blooms, rich foliage, and even delightful fragrances.
With the right care, they’ll flourish, adding height, color, and texture to your garden without taking up valuable ground space.
Here are the 20 best container-friendly vines that will instantly elevate your gardening game.
1. English Ivy
Botanical Name: Hedera helix
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USDA Zones: 4-9
English ivy is a versatile evergreen vine known for its ability to thrive in various light conditions, from full sun to deep shade. Its dense foliage makes it an excellent choice for creating privacy screens or covering unsightly structures.
When grown in containers, English ivy requires minimal care. Regular watering and occasional pruning will keep it looking its best. It’s also an ideal option for those new to gardening, as it’s quite forgiving and resilient.
2. Clematis
Botanical Name: Clematis spp.
USDA Zones: 4-9
Clematis vines are celebrated for their large, stunning flowers that come in a variety of colors, including purple, pink, and white. These blooms can add a dramatic flair to any container garden.
To ensure a healthy clematis, plant it in well-draining soil and provide a trellis or support for it to climb. While they prefer full sun, it’s beneficial to keep their roots cool, which can be achieved by shading the base with other plants or mulch.
3. Black-Eyed Susan Vine
Botanical Name: Thunbergia alata
USDA Zones: 10-11 (grown as an annual in cooler zones)
The black-eyed Susan vine boasts bright, cheerful flowers with dark centers, typically in shades of yellow, orange, or white. It’s a fast-growing climber that can quickly cover trellises or hanging baskets.
In containers, this vine thrives in well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade. Regular watering will keep it blooming throughout the season. It’s an excellent choice for adding a splash of color to small spaces.
4. Sweet Pea
Botanical Name: Lathyrus odoratus
USDA Zones: 7-10 (grown as an annual in most regions)
Sweet peas are cherished for their fragrant, delicate flowers that come in a range of pastel hues. They can add both beauty and a pleasant aroma to your container garden.
These vines prefer cooler temperatures, so planting them in early spring is ideal. Ensure they have support to climb and keep the soil consistently moist. Deadheading spent blooms can encourage further flowering.
5. Morning Glory
Botanical Name: Ipomoea purpurea
USDA Zones: 2-11 (grown as an annual in most regions)
Morning glories are known for their vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers that open in the morning and close by afternoon. They are vigorous growers, making them suitable for quickly covering trellises or railings.
Plant morning glories in full sun and well-draining soil. They are relatively drought-tolerant once established but will benefit from regular watering during dry spells. Be cautious, as they can become invasive in some areas.
6. Passionflower
Botanical Name: Passiflora spp.
USDA Zones: 6-10
Passionflowers are exotic-looking vines with intricate blooms that can captivate any onlooker. Beyond their beauty, some species also produce edible fruits.
These vines prefer full sun and well-draining soil. They can be grown in containers with adequate support and are known to attract butterflies, adding an extra layer of life to your garden.
7. Honeysuckle
Botanical Name: Lonicera spp.
USDA Zones: 4-9
Honeysuckle vines offer sweetly scented flowers that are particularly attractive to hummingbirds. The blooms come in various colors, including red, yellow, and white.
In containers, honeysuckle thrives in full sun to partial shade. Ensure the soil remains moist but well-drained. Regular pruning can help maintain its shape and encourage more prolific flowering.
8. Bougainvillea
Botanical Name: Bougainvillea spp.
USDA Zones: 9-11
Bougainvillea is renowned for its vibrantly colored bracts that come in shades of magenta, purple, orange, and white. These drought-tolerant vines can bring a tropical feel to your container garden.
Plant bougainvillea in well-draining soil and place it in a location that receives full sun. They prefer to dry out between waterings and can be trained to climb trellises or cascade from hanging baskets.
9. Blue Sky Vine
Botanical Name: Thunbergia grandiflora
USDA Zones: 8-11
Blue sky vine is a fast-growing climber that produces large, sky-blue trumpet-shaped flowers. Its lush foliage and showy blooms make it an excellent choice for containers, adding tropical charm to any setting.
This vine prefers full sun and well-draining soil. It requires consistent watering and a sturdy trellis for support. Its rapid growth and stunning flowers make it perfect for those looking to create an eye-catching focal point in their garden.
10. Chocolate Vine
Botanical Name: Akebia quinata
USDA Zones: 4-9
The chocolate vine offers lush, semi-evergreen foliage accompanied by fragrant, purplish flowers in the spring. Its adaptability makes it a suitable candidate for container gardening, especially for those seeking a fast-growing climber.
In containers, the chocolate vine thrives in well-draining soil with consistent moisture. It can tolerate partial shade, making it versatile for various balcony or patio settings. Regular pruning will help manage its growth and maintain the desired shape.
11. Mandevilla
Botanical Name: Mandevilla spp.
USDA Zones: 9-11 (grown as an annual in cooler zones)
Mandevilla is a tropical vine known for its vibrant trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, and white. Its glossy green foliage adds a lush, tropical feel to any container garden.
For best growth, plant mandevilla in well-draining soil and place it in full sun. Regular watering and occasional fertilization encourage abundant blooms. It thrives with a trellis or stake for support, making it perfect for balconies and patios.
12. Scarlet Runner Bean
Botanical Name: Phaseolus coccineus
USDA Zones: 7-11 (grown as an annual in cooler zones)
Scarlet runner bean is a fast-growing vine that produces vibrant red-orange flowers, making it both an ornamental and edible addition to container gardens. Its lush green foliage provides excellent coverage on trellises and arbors.
This vine thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. Regular watering encourages continuous blooms, and the beans it produces are also edible.
It’s an ideal choice for adding bold color while supporting pollinators like hummingbirds and bees.
13. Canary Creeper
Botanical Name: Tropaeolum peregrinum
USDA Zones: 9-11 (grown as an annual in cooler zones)
Canary creeper is a charming vine with bright yellow, fringed flowers resembling tiny canaries in flight. Its delicate foliage and quick growth make it a favorite for vertical gardening.
This vine thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-draining soil. Water regularly but avoid overwatering. It’s an excellent choice for adding color and lightness to container gardens, especially in hanging baskets.
14. Star Jasmine
Botanical Name: Trachelospermum jasminoides
USDA Zones: 8-11
Star jasmine is a fragrant evergreen vine that produces clusters of white, star-shaped flowers. Its glossy leaves provide year-round beauty, making it a fantastic option for container gardening.
For optimal growth, place star jasmine in full sun to partial shade. It prefers well-draining soil and benefits from occasional pruning to maintain its shape. This vine works well in hanging baskets or on trellises.
15. Climbing Roses
Botanical Name: Rosa spp.
USDA Zones: 4-10 (varies by variety)
Climbing roses bring elegance and romance to any garden with their cascading blooms and delightful fragrance. They thrive in containers with the right care, adding a touch of classic beauty to small spaces.
For best results, plant them in deep, well-draining pots with rich soil. Provide full sun and regular watering, and support them with a sturdy trellis or obelisk. Deadheading encourages continuous blooming throughout the season.
16. Cypress Vine
Botanical Name: Ipomoea quamoclit
USDA Zones: 6-11 (grown as an annual in cooler zones)
Cypress vine is a fast-growing, delicate climber with feathery foliage and vibrant red, star-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds. It’s perfect for adding a soft, airy texture to container gardens.
This vine prefers full sun and well-draining soil. It grows quickly and may require occasional trimming to prevent it from becoming invasive. Regular watering keeps the foliage lush and flowers abundant.
17. Snail Vine
Botanical Name: Vigna caracalla
USDA Zones: 9-11 (can be grown as an annual)
Snail vine is a unique climber that produces stunning, curled flowers resembling snail shells. Its light purple and cream blossoms emit a pleasant fragrance, adding an exotic touch to patios and balconies.
This vine thrives in full sun and requires well-draining soil. Water consistently and provide a trellis for support. Its rapid growth and unusual flowers make it a conversation piece in any container garden.
18. Purple Hyacinth Bean
Botanical Name: Lablab purpureus
USDA Zones: 9-11 (grown as an annual in cooler zones)
Purple hyacinth bean is a striking vine with deep purple stems, vibrant green leaves, and clusters of lavender flowers followed by eye-catching seed pods. It’s an excellent choice for adding bold color to vertical spaces.
This vine thrives in full sun and requires moderate watering. It grows quickly with a trellis or fence for support. Its stunning foliage and flowers make it a standout in any container garden.
19. Nasturtium
Botanical Name: Tropaeolum majus
USDA Zones: 9-11 (grown as an annual in cooler zones)
Nasturtium is a fast-growing, edible vine that produces bright red, orange, and yellow flowers. Its rounded leaves create a unique visual effect, and the flowers and leaves are used in culinary dishes.
This low-maintenance plant thrives in full sun and poor, well-draining soil. It requires little water and can spill beautifully over the edges of containers or climb with light support.
20. Boston Ivy
Botanical Name: Parthenocissus tricuspidata
USDA Zones: 4-8
Boston ivy is a deciduous vine known for its stunning seasonal foliage, which turns brilliant shades of red and orange in the fall. It’s perfect for adding dramatic color to vertical garden spaces.
This vine prefers full sun to partial shade and thrives in well-draining soil. Regular watering supports healthy growth, and occasional pruning helps control its spread. It’s a low-maintenance option for container gardening enthusiasts.
Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.