Containers allow you to enjoy nature’s beauty without worrying about bugs and pests. Instead, container plants will only require you to take care of them by cleaning them regularly. You can choose from various types of containers depending on your preferences. Some include terracotta pots, clay pots, plastic pots, wooden boxes, and metal bins.
Those containers will ensure to enhance the beauty of your house. However, just buying the container isn’t enough. You need to show your creativity in designing your garden. The below ideas will help you design your garden with containers. So, let’s dig in.
Table of Contents
Here are some garden design ideas with containers
Herb Appeal
The best way to ensure you don’t end up with dead plants is to start with something that doesn’t require much maintenance. A good rule of thumb is to stick with plants that are easy to grow and won’t take over your entire yard. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance option, consider growing herbs indoors. They’ll give off a sweet fragrance without requiring too many resources.
For a centerpiece that’s both beautiful and practical, try this fragrant herb planter. The combination of lemon grass, rosemary, and basil makes a lovely arrangement. But because the scent is so strong, it might deter some pests. So, while the scent attracts people, it could discourage unwanted visitors.
Start with a small lemon grass plant positioned in a large clay pot. Add a few flowering plumbagoes around the base of the lemongrass. This will fill the space and provide a nice backdrop for the lemongrass. Finally, place a larger pot filled with pebbles near the table’s edge. This barrier will be between the fragrant lemongrass and your guests’ shoes.
Add Height with Grasses
Round rattan planter boxes are ideal for adding height to a garden bed, patio, or balcony. They’re easy to grow and require little maintenance, making them perfect for beginners. You’ll find plenty of options online, but we like the look of these from Cox & Cox.
They come in three sizes and four colors: white, green, red, and bronze. Each pot holds around 3L of soil, so you won’t need to overfill it.
The best thing about round rattan planters is that they don’t take up much space. So, even if you’ve got a limited outdoor living area, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t try one out.
Succulent Container Gardens
Container gardens are easy to maintain. They’re compact, require little space, and look great indoors or out. You can grow anything in containers, including herbs, vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants.
With fantastic foliage, you don’t even need flowers in a pot for gardening. Plants like Coleus, Sedum, and Echeveria provide beautiful foliage without much care.
A container garden doesn’t necessarily mean it needs to be planted in soil. Some people use gravel, rocks, pebbles, or sand to hold moisture and nutrients. Others plant directly into pots filled with water.
The secret to success is finding the right mix of light, water, and fertilizer for each plant. If you want to learn how to care for your succulent container garden, read our guide.
Orange Crush
This late-summer container is bursting with color thanks to bright orange coleus (Solanum scutellarioides). But don’t let the name fool you; this plant is a member of the bromeliad family, including pineapple plants and epiphytes like air plants and spider lilies. Coleus is easy to grow and requires little care once established, making them perfect for containers. They’re also drought tolerant, meaning they won’t wilt during dry spells.
The filler in this space-efficient pot is compact hot coral (Impatiens sp.). These small, bushy annuals come in various colors, including red, pink, white, blue, and black. Their flowers are usually smaller than those of most impatiens, though, and tend to bloom later in the season. Impatiens are also known to attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Display Pots on Shelves
A tiered shelving structure such as this is a beautiful way to showcase your container garden ideas all year round. This design features heather, pansy, sage, and fiddlehead ferns, but you could easily swap the foliage for something else depending on what looks best in your space.
Mixing it up as the seasons pass is a great idea – try bulbs in spring or beds of annuals in summer. Add a few pumpkins to the mix for a fun autumnal touch.
If you want to ensure your containers look their best throughout the year, consider adding a gravel topping to give them extra protection against water loss. And don’t forget to match your pots together – terracotta is always a classic choice. In contrast, glazed ceramic pots work well in white kitchens.
| Garden Design Idea | Container Type | Plant Selection | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Container Gardens | Various (Pots, Boxes) | Flowers, Herbs, Vegetables | Easily adaptable, space-efficient |
| 2. Vertical Gardens | Vertical Planters | Succulents, Ferns, Vines | Maximizes vertical space, decorative |
| 3. Herb Garden Containers | Small Pots or Crates | Basil, Rosemary, Thyme | Fresh herbs at your fingertips |
| 4. Fairy Garden Containers | Miniature Containers | Miniature Plants, Fairies | Whimsical and enchanting |
| 5. Tropical Paradise | Large Tropical Pots | Palms, Ferns, Orchids | Create a tropical oasis at home |
| 6. Seasonal Flower Boxes | Window Boxes | Seasonal Flowers | Adds color and charm to your windows |
| 7. Edible Container Garden | Large Containers | Tomatoes, Peppers, Herbs | Homegrown produce in limited space |
| 8. Succulent Terrariums | Glass Containers | Succulents, Cacti | Low maintenance, modern aesthetic |
| 9. Zen Garden Containers | Bonsai Pots | Bonsai Trees, Sand, Stones | Promotes relaxation and tranquility |
| 10. Perennial Container Garden | Decorative Planters | Perennial Flowers | Year-round beauty with minimal effort |
Make a Statement with Conifers
For modern plots, a row or group of dwarf conifers makes a bold statement. They’re easy to grow, require little maintenance, and are suitable for most climates.
Plant a few in a row alongside a wall for a strong architectural effect, or plant one on each side of a gate for a grand entrance. If opting for faux lead planters, choose light enough to move about easily.
Tropical Container Patio Garden Ideas
Some tropical plants grow well in containers, which look great outside. This is especially true for those in colder climates that get cold during winter. Try growing some tropical plants indoors if you live in a warmer climate. They do well inside, too.
Traditional Freestanding Container
This traditional freestanding container is perfect for adding color to your outdoor living space. This design features a classic look that works well in many different styles.
The large size makes it ideal for planting larger plants like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, melons, and herbs. You can also grow annual favorites like petunias, marigolds, impatiens, cosmos, and snapdragons.
Rustic Hanging
This rustic hanging container is perfect for bringing color into a drab room. Its natural, weathered appearance adds a touch of whimsy to any decor. And while it might seem like a lot of work to fill up such a large container, don’t worry; it’s quite simple. You’ll need a few basic supplies, including a sturdy wire hanger, a hammer, nails, and a drill.
First, take the wire hanger and cut off about 2 feet of each end. Then, use a nail gun to attach the hangers to the wall, ensuring enough space between the hangers for the plant to sit comfortably. Next, drill holes into the bottom of the pot, spaced evenly around the circumference. Finally, hang the pot upside down on the hangers.
Rustic Tabletop
As an unexpected container garden vessel, this galvanized-metal toolbox makes a great addition to a springtime setup of a container garden. With the help of some natural materials, like wood chips and pebbles, you can create a unique and colorful arrangement that looks great indoors or out.
In this case, it is a classic combination of spearmints in bright green, red geraniums in bright red, and white alyssum in sweet white for a soothing fragrant container that feels light and fragrant. You’ll love the built-in handle because it makes it easier to move around the garden. Rustic charm and the contrast between weathered metal and soft, subtle colors take center stage here.
A simple galvanized metal container can complete an entirely natural springtime setup. You can grow various plants in a small space with just a few supplies.
What you’ll love about this arrangement is how it combines hard and soft elements in a light and refreshing way.
Romantic Wall Swag
The abundance of springtime blossoms is one of the most romantic things about the season. And it doesn’t take much effort to make those blooms look like they’re doing just fine. This simple arrangement could easily be made in less than 30 minutes.
A cluster of roses, peonies, lisianthus, and delphinium tops this beautifully designed container. They sit inside a glass vase that’s been wrapped in floral wire. A few ivy stems add some green contrast, while a small pot of succulents adds a little texture.
We recommend keeping the container off the ground and placing it on a decorative brick wall to keep the arrangement looking clean and uncluttered. If you don’t have access to such a wall, you can still use a sturdy piece of furniture, such as a coffee table or end table, to hold up the container.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
1. Is It Okay To Mix Potting Soil With Garden Soil?
In certain cases, such as raised beds, it’s possible to mix potting soil with garden soil, but it’s not a good mix for containers since it is not a good mix of soils. Soil mixes should contain lots of sand, grit, compost, and other ingredients specific to growing plants. It’s best if you buy a bag specifically made for containers.
2. How Do I Know Which Size Container To Get?
You want your pots to fit snugly inside your planter box so that no water escapes, but you also want them to allow plenty of air circulation. To determine the correct size, measure the depth of your planter box (or the height of your planter) along its longest side. That will tell you how deep your pots need to go. The average depth is 3 inches deep, but many people find that their boxes are deeper or shallower than that, so check your dimensions before ordering.
3. Can I Put My Container In Direct Sunlight?
Yes. Direct sunlight is great for plants, especially during the summer when you want to maximize plant growth. But remember that plants prefer indirect sunlight, so try putting your planters somewhere without direct sun.
4. Can I Fertilize My Container Plants?
Yes. Fertilizing your container plants is important, especially if you’ve chosen ones from a larger plant. Some plants require more frequent fertilizer applications than others. Check your label for instructions on how often you should feed your plants.
5. Where Should I Place My Potted Plants?
If you display your containers indoors, placing them near windows or under artificial lights is best. Place them near a window that gets morning or evening sun or at least an area that gets full light for outdoor arrangements. Avoid shaded areas, as these can lead to root rot.
Conclusion
Our best advice would be to choose a container that suits your needs and design preferences. Once you have the right container, you’ll easily create beautiful indoor or outdoor designs. I hope the above ideas will help you design your container garden more beautifully.
