Hardy Plants For Pots For Outdoors – A Comprehensive Guide

Since outdoor gardening started, some crops have developed a hardy nature from heat, drought, flood, and humidity. If you have such plants, it is certainly not the time to give up, as going through these conditions makes them tougher.

So, if you want to plant hardy plants that can stay through tough outdoor conditions, these top plant choices will tolerate the toughest weather conditions with minimum care.

Aloe

If you are looking for a tough plant with a statement to it, aloe will always meet up.

Aloe has various colors and hard choices. You can plant it in a pot or a container. The plant can thrive in the toughest heats and flowers in autumn and winter. Its flower range includes gold, orange tones, white and yellow.

Bougainvillea

• Adding a bougainvillea to your tough plant selection will add flamboyant color to your container garden. 
• Some species are very thorny, so you may want to train them away from passing traffic. A good place for them is to plant them up a wall well or over a railing.
• However, there are lots of dwarf species you can plant on a container, including those in the Bambino series and Raspberry Ice. The Raspberry Ice species has variegated green and white leaves and dark red.

Casuarina

Casuarina’s beautiful look always sells it out when considering picking a tough plant for your pot. It can be raised in a container and raised beds. However, when established, casuarina needs some extra care to keep up.

Crassula

Many succulents do well in hot, dry spots, and crassulas are among the best. They come in various shapes and sizes. One of the most famous species is Crassula Ovata, also known as the jade or lucky plant. It is easy to grow and propagate and a high achiever during unfavorable conditions. It is difficult to find a plant that does well, like Crassula, during hot, dry conditions.

All it needs is full sun and water as the potting mix dries, and your plant will blossom for decades. 

Hibiscus

Who would have thought the almighty hibiscus flower could withstand tough conditions? Surprisingly, these slowly deciduous shrubs do.

The apple blossom has large pink flowers with dark red eyes, which are bombproof. All hibiscus flowers grow best in frost-free, warm soil with regular water and full sun. 

Include flower-boosting fertilizers like hibiscus and rose food for garden grounds. But if you are planting in a container, apply liquid fertilizer. Most hibiscus species have bare roots during winter, so be sure to remove them and pick out the spent flowers.

Mandevilla

• Mandevilla is often referred to as Dipladenia. They are climbers with pretty flowers and leathery leaves. 
• The plant is available in white, pink, or red flowers.
• Mandevilla is better grown to twine up a pole or trellis for better results. Most species are not cold-tolerant and may not cope during winter. So, pick a warm, sunny, sheltered spot where they’ll thrive all year round.

Olives

European olives can withstand exposure to high heat and salty winds. They grow better in large containers as they can grow to the height of a small tree. Olives have attractive dark green leaves that can be shaped and pruned.

Rhaphiolepis

Rhaphiolwpia, also called Indian hawthorn, can be the toughest spot on a windy high-rise balcony. It comes with leathery green leaves and pretty flowers similar to apple blossoms. The leaves are also tough and highly tolerant to salt air. Flowers in various colors, from white, cream, and pink. 

Japanese Maple

• This hardy plant is perfect if you like an oriental touch to your garden.
• Japanese Maple does not fail to impress with its dark red leaves and autumnal effect. It is also low-maintenance and requires just frost protection in its tender stage.

Geraniums

Also known as cranesbills, Geraniums are winter hardy and a real beauty to behold. It is not just their beauty that makes them unique but their low-maintenance nature.

The plant has various species and can be used as ground cover. It is highly tolerant to pruning and often used as topiaries. Geraniums are stunning during winter and a great choice for pots.

Dwarf Mountain Pine

The dwarf mountain pine is another winter hardy plant to consider. It reach a height of about 1.5 meters, the reason why they are also called dwarf pines.  This pine will be an incredible addition to your garden as it can perfectly fit into small pots and gardens.

Tips For Successful Potting

1. Examine the Location: After planting, if you realize your plant is struggling to grow or not looking healthy, check the area. It could be that the spot is not favorable.

Sometimes, it could be in a spot that’s too hot, or it’s facing a surface that reflects heat. Such as a metal fence, wall, or paving, which could be burning your plant.

If that’s the case, you can try protecting the plant. More so, carry out gentle pruning on the affected areas and water well to put on new growth. 

2. Potting Mix: For better plant growth,  use a good quality, water-wise potting mix. If the plant has outgrown its pot or has filled the pot with numerous roots. Transfer into a new pot or a larger container with fresh potting mix. Ensure to water the pot regularly to prevent them from drying out totally.

Alternatively, wash the old pot to prevent them from drying out as it is difficult to dry out. Also, the pot may become hard to wet and become wet repellent. In this case, however, a liquid soil wetting agent, such as Wettasoil or Saturaid. Also, consider re-potting into a new container.

Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]

Wrap Up!

One of the major challenges with potted plants is bringing them in during winter to avoid colder temperatures. But planting any of the above plants will save you from any worries of heavy lifting and strain. Now, you can enjoy a lovely atmosphere and an added touch of beauty to your outdoors without worrying about a colder or hotter temperature.