Dreaming of a lush, blooming oasis on your patio or balcony? Perennial plants are the perfect solution – they’ll return year after year with minimal effort on your part.
These are 20 gorgeous, low-maintenance perennials that thrive in pots.
1. Lavender
Mature Height: 30-60 cm
Spread: 30-60 cm
Bloom Time: Late Spring to Late Summer
Lavender’s intoxicating aroma and vibrant purple hues are a feast for the senses. These drought-tolerant plants are ideal for sunny spots, adding a touch of Mediterranean charm to your container garden.
Fun fact: Lavender has been used for centuries in perfumes, soaps, and even as a culinary herb!
2. Daylilies
Mature Height: 45-90 cm
Spread: 30-60 cm
Bloom Time: Late Spring to Late Summer
With their trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of yellow, orange, and red, daylilies are a surefire way to inject some vibrancy into your potted garden. These sun-loving beauties are remarkably resilient and will rebloom repeatedly throughout the season, providing a continuous floral display.
3. Hosta
Mature Height: 15-90 cm
Spread: 30-120 cm
Bloom Time: Summer
Hostas are the unsung heroes of the shade garden, boasting an array of lush, textured foliage in shades of green, blue, and gold. While their funnel-shaped blooms are charming, it’s their eye-catching leaves that steal the show. Smaller varieties like the ‘Mouse Ears’ hosta are perfectly suited for container growing.
4. Coneflower (Echinacea)
Mature Height: 60-120 cm
Spread: 45-60 cm
Bloom Time: Late Spring to Late Summer
Coneflowers are a quintessential prairie plant, adding a touch of rustic charm to your patio or balcony. Did you know that coneflowers are a vital ingredient in many herbal remedies and immune-boosting teas?
5. Coral Bells (Heuchera)
Mature Height: 30-60 cm
Spread: 30-45 cm
Bloom Time: Late Spring to Early Summer
Coral bells are a must-have for any container garden, thanks to their vibrant foliage in shades of purple, burgundy, and lime green. Their dainty blooms are a lovely bonus, but it’s their ruffled, evergreen leaves that truly steal the spotlight. These low-maintenance plants thrive in partial shade.
6. Ornamental Grasses
Mature Height: 30 cm to 2 m (varies by variety)
Spread: 30 cm to 1 m (varies by variety)
Bloom Time: Summer to Fall (plumes or seed heads)
From the graceful arching plumes of fountain grass to the stately upright form of pampas grass, ornamental grasses add texture, movement, and year-round interest to potted gardens. Their seed heads and foliage come in a kaleidoscope of colors, complementing any design scheme.
7. Peony
Mature Height: 60-90 cm
Spread: 60-90 cm
Bloom Time: Late Spring
Peonies are the epitome of old-world charm, with their lush, romantic blooms in shades of white, pink, and crimson. While they may be a bit fussier than some other perennials, their intoxicating fragrance and sumptuous blossoms are well worth the effort in a spacious container.
8. Chrysanthemum
Mature Height: 30-90 cm
Spread: 30-60 cm
Bloom Time: Fall
When the cooler months roll around, chrysanthemums or ‘mums’ are the reigning queens of the autumn garden. Their vibrant blooms in shades of yellow, orange, red, and purple add a burst of color to your containers when many other plants are fading.
9. Bleeding Heart
Mature Height: 60-90 cm
Spread: 45-60 cm
Bloom Time: Spring to Early Summer
With their dangling, heart-shaped flowers and lacy foliage, bleeding hearts exude an enchanting, almost otherworldly charm. These old-fashioned favorites thrive in shady spots, adding a touch of whimsy to your potted paradise.
10. Shasta Daisy
Mature Height: 60-90 cm
Spread: 45-60 cm
Bloom Time: Summer
Shasta daisies are the essence of summertime cheer, with their bright white petals surrounding sunny yellow centers. A classic choice for containers, these flowers provide a long season of enjoyment with their prolific flowering habit.
11. Salvia
Mature Height: 30-90 cm (varies by variety)
Spread: 30-60 cm (varies by variety)
Bloom Time: Spring to Fall
From the vibrant red spikes of ‘Hot Lips’ salvia to the deep purple wands of ‘Black and Blue,’ these heat-loving plants are a hummingbird’s delight. Their long-lasting blooms and drought tolerance make salvias are a foolproof choice for sun-soaked containers.
12. Sedum
Mature Height: 15-60 cm (varies by variety)
Spread: 30-60 cm
Bloom Time: Late Summer to Fall
Sedums are the ultimate low-maintenance perennials, with their succulent-like foliage and clusters of starry blooms in shades of pink, red, and yellow. When paired with complementary colors, these drought-tolerant workhorses add texture and interest to any container garden.
13. Yarrow
Mature Height: 30-90 cm
Spread: 30-60 cm
Bloom Time: Summer
Yarrow’s flat-topped flower clusters in shades of yellow, red, pink, and white are a magnet for butterflies and beneficial insects. These plants are tough-as-nails and highly drought-resistant, making them an excellent choice for hot, dry conditions in containers.
14. Bee Balm (Monarda)
Mature Height: 60-120 cm
Spread: 45-75 cm
Bloom Time: Summer
As their name suggests, bee balms are a favorite of pollinators, with their whorled blooms in shades of red, pink, and purple. These members of the mint family release a delightful fragrance, adding both color and scent to your potted garden.
15. Catmint (Nepeta)
Mature Height: 30-60 cm
Spread: 45-60 cm
Bloom Time: Late Spring to Summer
Catmint’s soft, gray-green foliage and lavender-blue flower spikes are a fetching combination in any container. These plants are a smart choice for urban gardens since they are drought-tolerant, low-maintenance plants that are highly resistant to rabbits and deer.
16. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
Mature Height: 60-90 cm
Spread: 45-60 cm
Bloom Time: Summer to Fall
With their cheerful yellow petals surrounding a dark central cone, black-eyed Susans are a quintessential summer bloom. Hailing from North America, these easy going native plants will happily thrive in sunny containers, providing a burst of warmth to your outdoor space.
17. Dianthus
Mature Height: 15-30 cm
Spread: 30-45 cm
Bloom Time: Spring to Fall
Dianthus, also known as pinks or sweet Williams, are a delightful addition to any container garden with their fringed, clove-scented blooms in shades of pink, red, and white. Perfect for edging or trailing over pot rims, these low-growers are a charming choice.
18. Hellebore
Mature Height: 30-60 cm
Spread: 45-60 cm
Bloom Time: Late Winter to Spring
Hellebores, also called Lenten roses, are a true harbinger of spring with their elegant, nodding blooms in shades of white, pink, green, and purple. Favoring shady areas, these sophisticated beauties will add a touch of refinement to your shaded container plantings.
19. Siberian Iris
Mature Height: 60-90 cm
Spread: 45-60 cm
Time: Late Spring
With their delicate, ruffled petals in shades of blue, purple, and white, Siberian irises are a breathtaking sight in late spring containers. Requiring consistently moist soil, these striking iris varieties thrive when situated in partially shaded areas.
20. Astilbe
Mature Height: 30-90 cm (varies by variety)
Spread: 45-60 cm
Bloom Time: Late Spring to Summer
Astilbes are a true showstopper with their feathery plumes in shades of pink, red, and white. Craving dappled light and consistently moist soil, these shade-loving perennials make an eye-catching statement in larger containers.
Why These Perennial Pot Picks are a Gardener’s Dream
These 20 perennials are ideal for containers because they offer stunning blooms, beautiful foliage, and easy maintenance. Best of all, these tough plants will return year after year, allowing you to invest minimal effort for maximum impact.
Create a lush, flowering oasis by giving these foolproof perennial picks a try in your containers.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.