Top 55+ Container Gardening Ideas to Inspire, from Easy to Amazing

13) Plant: Olive Tree

13) Plant: Olive Tree, 19) Plant: Impatiens, 25) Idea: Recycled Rain Boot Planters, 27) Idea: Tiny Teapot Planter, 29) Plant: Petunias, 30) Idea: Spiller, Thriller, Filler, 31) Plant: Sweet Alyssum, 33) Plant: Canna Lily, 36) Plant: Calibrachoa, 38) Idea: Cactus and Succulent Garden, 39) Idea: Multiple Pots in the Same Color, 40) Idea: Ladder Container Garden, 42) Idea: Terra Cotta Edible Garden, 45) Plant: Sweet Potato Vine, 47) Idea: Lush Hanging Baskets, 49) Plant: Chili Pepper, 50) Plant: Euphorbia, 51) Idea: Bicycle Planter, 52) Plant: Angelonia, 53) Idea: Stacked Boxes, 54) Plant: Coleus, 55) Plant: Nemesia

Olive trees are surprisingly easy to grow as long as you have a hot, sunny spot—and they’ll give any spot a more Mediterranean feel. Just bring ’m indoors when the weather turns.

Note: While pretty, you probably don’t want to count on a hearty olive harvest from your potted tree. Container trees can sometimes fruit, depending on the species and care, but it takes about five years and generally requires multiple trees for pollination. Also, olives need to be cured before they are edible.

19) Plant: Impatiens

13) Plant: Olive Tree, 19) Plant: Impatiens, 25) Idea: Recycled Rain Boot Planters, 27) Idea: Tiny Teapot Planter, 29) Plant: Petunias, 30) Idea: Spiller, Thriller, Filler, 31) Plant: Sweet Alyssum, 33) Plant: Canna Lily, 36) Plant: Calibrachoa, 38) Idea: Cactus and Succulent Garden, 39) Idea: Multiple Pots in the Same Color, 40) Idea: Ladder Container Garden, 42) Idea: Terra Cotta Edible Garden, 45) Plant: Sweet Potato Vine, 47) Idea: Lush Hanging Baskets, 49) Plant: Chili Pepper, 50) Plant: Euphorbia, 51) Idea: Bicycle Planter, 52) Plant: Angelonia, 53) Idea: Stacked Boxes, 54) Plant: Coleus, 55) Plant: Nemesia

Got a shady spot? Impatiens can’t be beat for their non-stop color all summer long. Make sure to buy newer varieties that are more resistant to powdery mildew and other diseases.

25) Idea: Recycled Rain Boot Planters

13) Plant: Olive Tree, 19) Plant: Impatiens, 25) Idea: Recycled Rain Boot Planters, 27) Idea: Tiny Teapot Planter, 29) Plant: Petunias, 30) Idea: Spiller, Thriller, Filler, 31) Plant: Sweet Alyssum, 33) Plant: Canna Lily, 36) Plant: Calibrachoa, 38) Idea: Cactus and Succulent Garden, 39) Idea: Multiple Pots in the Same Color, 40) Idea: Ladder Container Garden, 42) Idea: Terra Cotta Edible Garden, 45) Plant: Sweet Potato Vine, 47) Idea: Lush Hanging Baskets, 49) Plant: Chili Pepper, 50) Plant: Euphorbia, 51) Idea: Bicycle Planter, 52) Plant: Angelonia, 53) Idea: Stacked Boxes, 54) Plant: Coleus, 55) Plant: Nemesia

Add a touch of whimsy to your garden by planting annuals in old rain boots! Just make sure to poke some drain holes in the sole of each boot so your plants don’t stay too wet.

27) Idea: Tiny Teapot Planter

13) Plant: Olive Tree, 19) Plant: Impatiens, 25) Idea: Recycled Rain Boot Planters, 27) Idea: Tiny Teapot Planter, 29) Plant: Petunias, 30) Idea: Spiller, Thriller, Filler, 31) Plant: Sweet Alyssum, 33) Plant: Canna Lily, 36) Plant: Calibrachoa, 38) Idea: Cactus and Succulent Garden, 39) Idea: Multiple Pots in the Same Color, 40) Idea: Ladder Container Garden, 42) Idea: Terra Cotta Edible Garden, 45) Plant: Sweet Potato Vine, 47) Idea: Lush Hanging Baskets, 49) Plant: Chili Pepper, 50) Plant: Euphorbia, 51) Idea: Bicycle Planter, 52) Plant: Angelonia, 53) Idea: Stacked Boxes, 54) Plant: Coleus, 55) Plant: Nemesia

Repurpose household items such as an unused teapot into this adorable tiny planter. It’s perfect for a tabletop planter on a bistro table.

29) Plant: Petunias

13) Plant: Olive Tree, 19) Plant: Impatiens, 25) Idea: Recycled Rain Boot Planters, 27) Idea: Tiny Teapot Planter, 29) Plant: Petunias, 30) Idea: Spiller, Thriller, Filler, 31) Plant: Sweet Alyssum, 33) Plant: Canna Lily, 36) Plant: Calibrachoa, 38) Idea: Cactus and Succulent Garden, 39) Idea: Multiple Pots in the Same Color, 40) Idea: Ladder Container Garden, 42) Idea: Terra Cotta Edible Garden, 45) Plant: Sweet Potato Vine, 47) Idea: Lush Hanging Baskets, 49) Plant: Chili Pepper, 50) Plant: Euphorbia, 51) Idea: Bicycle Planter, 52) Plant: Angelonia, 53) Idea: Stacked Boxes, 54) Plant: Coleus, 55) Plant: Nemesia

It doesn’t get any more classic than petunias for container gardens, whether you’re planting in pots, window boxes, or hanging baskets.

Look for newer types, such as Wave Petunias, that don’t have to be deadheaded (removing spent blooms) in order to keep blooming all summer long.

30) Idea: Spiller, Thriller, Filler

13) Plant: Olive Tree, 19) Plant: Impatiens, 25) Idea: Recycled Rain Boot Planters, 27) Idea: Tiny Teapot Planter, 29) Plant: Petunias, 30) Idea: Spiller, Thriller, Filler, 31) Plant: Sweet Alyssum, 33) Plant: Canna Lily, 36) Plant: Calibrachoa, 38) Idea: Cactus and Succulent Garden, 39) Idea: Multiple Pots in the Same Color, 40) Idea: Ladder Container Garden, 42) Idea: Terra Cotta Edible Garden, 45) Plant: Sweet Potato Vine, 47) Idea: Lush Hanging Baskets, 49) Plant: Chili Pepper, 50) Plant: Euphorbia, 51) Idea: Bicycle Planter, 52) Plant: Angelonia, 53) Idea: Stacked Boxes, 54) Plant: Coleus, 55) Plant: Nemesia

This stunning combination pot perfectly illustrates the concept of spiller, thriller, filler when building a container.

The coral begonias are especially striking in contrast to the purple lantana, while sedum spills over the edges of the pot.

31) Plant: Sweet Alyssum

13) Plant: Olive Tree, 19) Plant: Impatiens, 25) Idea: Recycled Rain Boot Planters, 27) Idea: Tiny Teapot Planter, 29) Plant: Petunias, 30) Idea: Spiller, Thriller, Filler, 31) Plant: Sweet Alyssum, 33) Plant: Canna Lily, 36) Plant: Calibrachoa, 38) Idea: Cactus and Succulent Garden, 39) Idea: Multiple Pots in the Same Color, 40) Idea: Ladder Container Garden, 42) Idea: Terra Cotta Edible Garden, 45) Plant: Sweet Potato Vine, 47) Idea: Lush Hanging Baskets, 49) Plant: Chili Pepper, 50) Plant: Euphorbia, 51) Idea: Bicycle Planter, 52) Plant: Angelonia, 53) Idea: Stacked Boxes, 54) Plant: Coleus, 55) Plant: Nemesia

If there’s one annual that should be in every garden, it’s sweet alyssum. With a honey scent that pollinators love, this low-growing flower blooms and blooms well past a light frost.

It’s charming tumbling out of containers, window boxes, and hanging baskets and will bloom until a hard freeze.

33) Plant: Canna Lily

13) Plant: Olive Tree, 19) Plant: Impatiens, 25) Idea: Recycled Rain Boot Planters, 27) Idea: Tiny Teapot Planter, 29) Plant: Petunias, 30) Idea: Spiller, Thriller, Filler, 31) Plant: Sweet Alyssum, 33) Plant: Canna Lily, 36) Plant: Calibrachoa, 38) Idea: Cactus and Succulent Garden, 39) Idea: Multiple Pots in the Same Color, 40) Idea: Ladder Container Garden, 42) Idea: Terra Cotta Edible Garden, 45) Plant: Sweet Potato Vine, 47) Idea: Lush Hanging Baskets, 49) Plant: Chili Pepper, 50) Plant: Euphorbia, 51) Idea: Bicycle Planter, 52) Plant: Angelonia, 53) Idea: Stacked Boxes, 54) Plant: Coleus, 55) Plant: Nemesia

Canna lilies are striking plants that adore the heat! Plant them as part of a combination container, or put them in their own pot where they can really shine.

In warm regions, they’re perennial. But dig up the tubers in fall in cold climates to save them for next season.

Exposure: Full sun

36) Plant: Calibrachoa

13) Plant: Olive Tree, 19) Plant: Impatiens, 25) Idea: Recycled Rain Boot Planters, 27) Idea: Tiny Teapot Planter, 29) Plant: Petunias, 30) Idea: Spiller, Thriller, Filler, 31) Plant: Sweet Alyssum, 33) Plant: Canna Lily, 36) Plant: Calibrachoa, 38) Idea: Cactus and Succulent Garden, 39) Idea: Multiple Pots in the Same Color, 40) Idea: Ladder Container Garden, 42) Idea: Terra Cotta Edible Garden, 45) Plant: Sweet Potato Vine, 47) Idea: Lush Hanging Baskets, 49) Plant: Chili Pepper, 50) Plant: Euphorbia, 51) Idea: Bicycle Planter, 52) Plant: Angelonia, 53) Idea: Stacked Boxes, 54) Plant: Coleus, 55) Plant: Nemesia

These tough annuals resemble petunias, but they’re a different plant altogether. They come in every color imaginable, including double-petaled types.

Bonus: Calibrachoa bloom all summer long without deadheading required.

38) Idea: Cactus and Succulent Garden

13) Plant: Olive Tree, 19) Plant: Impatiens, 25) Idea: Recycled Rain Boot Planters, 27) Idea: Tiny Teapot Planter, 29) Plant: Petunias, 30) Idea: Spiller, Thriller, Filler, 31) Plant: Sweet Alyssum, 33) Plant: Canna Lily, 36) Plant: Calibrachoa, 38) Idea: Cactus and Succulent Garden, 39) Idea: Multiple Pots in the Same Color, 40) Idea: Ladder Container Garden, 42) Idea: Terra Cotta Edible Garden, 45) Plant: Sweet Potato Vine, 47) Idea: Lush Hanging Baskets, 49) Plant: Chili Pepper, 50) Plant: Euphorbia, 51) Idea: Bicycle Planter, 52) Plant: Angelonia, 53) Idea: Stacked Boxes, 54) Plant: Coleus, 55) Plant: Nemesia

This striking container garden is perfect in hot, sunny, dry locations. The various pots echo each other’s shape, while the spiky succulents offer contrast and interest.

39) Idea: Multiple Pots in the Same Color

13) Plant: Olive Tree, 19) Plant: Impatiens, 25) Idea: Recycled Rain Boot Planters, 27) Idea: Tiny Teapot Planter, 29) Plant: Petunias, 30) Idea: Spiller, Thriller, Filler, 31) Plant: Sweet Alyssum, 33) Plant: Canna Lily, 36) Plant: Calibrachoa, 38) Idea: Cactus and Succulent Garden, 39) Idea: Multiple Pots in the Same Color, 40) Idea: Ladder Container Garden, 42) Idea: Terra Cotta Edible Garden, 45) Plant: Sweet Potato Vine, 47) Idea: Lush Hanging Baskets, 49) Plant: Chili Pepper, 50) Plant: Euphorbia, 51) Idea: Bicycle Planter, 52) Plant: Angelonia, 53) Idea: Stacked Boxes, 54) Plant: Coleus, 55) Plant: Nemesia

Duplicate pots in this stunning shade of cobalt blue make a striking backdrop for spring flowers. Swap out the plantings as the seasons change to keep it fresh.

40) Idea: Ladder Container Garden

13) Plant: Olive Tree, 19) Plant: Impatiens, 25) Idea: Recycled Rain Boot Planters, 27) Idea: Tiny Teapot Planter, 29) Plant: Petunias, 30) Idea: Spiller, Thriller, Filler, 31) Plant: Sweet Alyssum, 33) Plant: Canna Lily, 36) Plant: Calibrachoa, 38) Idea: Cactus and Succulent Garden, 39) Idea: Multiple Pots in the Same Color, 40) Idea: Ladder Container Garden, 42) Idea: Terra Cotta Edible Garden, 45) Plant: Sweet Potato Vine, 47) Idea: Lush Hanging Baskets, 49) Plant: Chili Pepper, 50) Plant: Euphorbia, 51) Idea: Bicycle Planter, 52) Plant: Angelonia, 53) Idea: Stacked Boxes, 54) Plant: Coleus, 55) Plant: Nemesia

An old ladder is just right for displaying little pots of herbs. It’'s charming and practical because it doesn’t take up a ton of space on a small patio or deck.

42) Idea: Terra Cotta Edible Garden

13) Plant: Olive Tree, 19) Plant: Impatiens, 25) Idea: Recycled Rain Boot Planters, 27) Idea: Tiny Teapot Planter, 29) Plant: Petunias, 30) Idea: Spiller, Thriller, Filler, 31) Plant: Sweet Alyssum, 33) Plant: Canna Lily, 36) Plant: Calibrachoa, 38) Idea: Cactus and Succulent Garden, 39) Idea: Multiple Pots in the Same Color, 40) Idea: Ladder Container Garden, 42) Idea: Terra Cotta Edible Garden, 45) Plant: Sweet Potato Vine, 47) Idea: Lush Hanging Baskets, 49) Plant: Chili Pepper, 50) Plant: Euphorbia, 51) Idea: Bicycle Planter, 52) Plant: Angelonia, 53) Idea: Stacked Boxes, 54) Plant: Coleus, 55) Plant: Nemesia

No room for an in-ground garden bed? Plant edibles in terra cotta pots and line them up against your house. The radiant heat from your home will keep plants that like full sun nice and toasty.

45) Plant: Sweet Potato Vine

13) Plant: Olive Tree, 19) Plant: Impatiens, 25) Idea: Recycled Rain Boot Planters, 27) Idea: Tiny Teapot Planter, 29) Plant: Petunias, 30) Idea: Spiller, Thriller, Filler, 31) Plant: Sweet Alyssum, 33) Plant: Canna Lily, 36) Plant: Calibrachoa, 38) Idea: Cactus and Succulent Garden, 39) Idea: Multiple Pots in the Same Color, 40) Idea: Ladder Container Garden, 42) Idea: Terra Cotta Edible Garden, 45) Plant: Sweet Potato Vine, 47) Idea: Lush Hanging Baskets, 49) Plant: Chili Pepper, 50) Plant: Euphorbia, 51) Idea: Bicycle Planter, 52) Plant: Angelonia, 53) Idea: Stacked Boxes, 54) Plant: Coleus, 55) Plant: Nemesia

Nothing grows like sweet potato vine in the heat of summer! Its pretty lime green, burgundy or variegated foliage looks great in a combination planter, but it’s an aggressive grower, so it’s often better in its own pot so it doesn’t bully the other plants.

47) Idea: Lush Hanging Baskets

13) Plant: Olive Tree, 19) Plant: Impatiens, 25) Idea: Recycled Rain Boot Planters, 27) Idea: Tiny Teapot Planter, 29) Plant: Petunias, 30) Idea: Spiller, Thriller, Filler, 31) Plant: Sweet Alyssum, 33) Plant: Canna Lily, 36) Plant: Calibrachoa, 38) Idea: Cactus and Succulent Garden, 39) Idea: Multiple Pots in the Same Color, 40) Idea: Ladder Container Garden, 42) Idea: Terra Cotta Edible Garden, 45) Plant: Sweet Potato Vine, 47) Idea: Lush Hanging Baskets, 49) Plant: Chili Pepper, 50) Plant: Euphorbia, 51) Idea: Bicycle Planter, 52) Plant: Angelonia, 53) Idea: Stacked Boxes, 54) Plant: Coleus, 55) Plant: Nemesia

Sure, you can buy those puny hanging baskets at the big box store. But if you plant your own in a larger basket, you’ll get a much more stunning effect. Here, a boliviensis begonia shows off its stuff.

49) Plant: Chili Pepper

13) Plant: Olive Tree, 19) Plant: Impatiens, 25) Idea: Recycled Rain Boot Planters, 27) Idea: Tiny Teapot Planter, 29) Plant: Petunias, 30) Idea: Spiller, Thriller, Filler, 31) Plant: Sweet Alyssum, 33) Plant: Canna Lily, 36) Plant: Calibrachoa, 38) Idea: Cactus and Succulent Garden, 39) Idea: Multiple Pots in the Same Color, 40) Idea: Ladder Container Garden, 42) Idea: Terra Cotta Edible Garden, 45) Plant: Sweet Potato Vine, 47) Idea: Lush Hanging Baskets, 49) Plant: Chili Pepper, 50) Plant: Euphorbia, 51) Idea: Bicycle Planter, 52) Plant: Angelonia, 53) Idea: Stacked Boxes, 54) Plant: Coleus, 55) Plant: Nemesia

Add some fun to your container plantings! Both ornamental and edible types of chili peppers thrive in containers.

50) Plant: Euphorbia

13) Plant: Olive Tree, 19) Plant: Impatiens, 25) Idea: Recycled Rain Boot Planters, 27) Idea: Tiny Teapot Planter, 29) Plant: Petunias, 30) Idea: Spiller, Thriller, Filler, 31) Plant: Sweet Alyssum, 33) Plant: Canna Lily, 36) Plant: Calibrachoa, 38) Idea: Cactus and Succulent Garden, 39) Idea: Multiple Pots in the Same Color, 40) Idea: Ladder Container Garden, 42) Idea: Terra Cotta Edible Garden, 45) Plant: Sweet Potato Vine, 47) Idea: Lush Hanging Baskets, 49) Plant: Chili Pepper, 50) Plant: Euphorbia, 51) Idea: Bicycle Planter, 52) Plant: Angelonia, 53) Idea: Stacked Boxes, 54) Plant: Coleus, 55) Plant: Nemesia

This somewhat lesser-known plant looks frilly but it’s tough as nails in a variety of conditions including heat and drought. Its wispy leaves and profuse airy white flowers offer a delicate baby’s breath-like effect to mixed pots, says Glenn Kopp, horticulture information manager at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis.

51) Idea: Bicycle Planter

13) Plant: Olive Tree, 19) Plant: Impatiens, 25) Idea: Recycled Rain Boot Planters, 27) Idea: Tiny Teapot Planter, 29) Plant: Petunias, 30) Idea: Spiller, Thriller, Filler, 31) Plant: Sweet Alyssum, 33) Plant: Canna Lily, 36) Plant: Calibrachoa, 38) Idea: Cactus and Succulent Garden, 39) Idea: Multiple Pots in the Same Color, 40) Idea: Ladder Container Garden, 42) Idea: Terra Cotta Edible Garden, 45) Plant: Sweet Potato Vine, 47) Idea: Lush Hanging Baskets, 49) Plant: Chili Pepper, 50) Plant: Euphorbia, 51) Idea: Bicycle Planter, 52) Plant: Angelonia, 53) Idea: Stacked Boxes, 54) Plant: Coleus, 55) Plant: Nemesia

Is that old bike just sitting around? Convert it to a fun planter by filling baskets on the front and back with seasonal blooms.

52) Plant: Angelonia

13) Plant: Olive Tree, 19) Plant: Impatiens, 25) Idea: Recycled Rain Boot Planters, 27) Idea: Tiny Teapot Planter, 29) Plant: Petunias, 30) Idea: Spiller, Thriller, Filler, 31) Plant: Sweet Alyssum, 33) Plant: Canna Lily, 36) Plant: Calibrachoa, 38) Idea: Cactus and Succulent Garden, 39) Idea: Multiple Pots in the Same Color, 40) Idea: Ladder Container Garden, 42) Idea: Terra Cotta Edible Garden, 45) Plant: Sweet Potato Vine, 47) Idea: Lush Hanging Baskets, 49) Plant: Chili Pepper, 50) Plant: Euphorbia, 51) Idea: Bicycle Planter, 52) Plant: Angelonia, 53) Idea: Stacked Boxes, 54) Plant: Coleus, 55) Plant: Nemesia

Delicate but heat-tolerant angelonia, also called summer snapdragon, doesn’t need to be deadheaded to keep blooming all season.

Angelonia comes in pinks, mauves, deep purple, purple-blues, white, and two-tones in a variety of heights. Mix them with trailing herbs for an attractive combination planter, or plant them alone for plenty of season-long color.

53) Idea: Stacked Boxes

13) Plant: Olive Tree, 19) Plant: Impatiens, 25) Idea: Recycled Rain Boot Planters, 27) Idea: Tiny Teapot Planter, 29) Plant: Petunias, 30) Idea: Spiller, Thriller, Filler, 31) Plant: Sweet Alyssum, 33) Plant: Canna Lily, 36) Plant: Calibrachoa, 38) Idea: Cactus and Succulent Garden, 39) Idea: Multiple Pots in the Same Color, 40) Idea: Ladder Container Garden, 42) Idea: Terra Cotta Edible Garden, 45) Plant: Sweet Potato Vine, 47) Idea: Lush Hanging Baskets, 49) Plant: Chili Pepper, 50) Plant: Euphorbia, 51) Idea: Bicycle Planter, 52) Plant: Angelonia, 53) Idea: Stacked Boxes, 54) Plant: Coleus, 55) Plant: Nemesia

Fill an empty corner of your deck or entryway with a display of wooden crates filled with tiny planters. Change it out every season: Petunias for summer, mums for fall, and greens tucked into buckets for winter.

54) Plant: Coleus

13) Plant: Olive Tree, 19) Plant: Impatiens, 25) Idea: Recycled Rain Boot Planters, 27) Idea: Tiny Teapot Planter, 29) Plant: Petunias, 30) Idea: Spiller, Thriller, Filler, 31) Plant: Sweet Alyssum, 33) Plant: Canna Lily, 36) Plant: Calibrachoa, 38) Idea: Cactus and Succulent Garden, 39) Idea: Multiple Pots in the Same Color, 40) Idea: Ladder Container Garden, 42) Idea: Terra Cotta Edible Garden, 45) Plant: Sweet Potato Vine, 47) Idea: Lush Hanging Baskets, 49) Plant: Chili Pepper, 50) Plant: Euphorbia, 51) Idea: Bicycle Planter, 52) Plant: Angelonia, 53) Idea: Stacked Boxes, 54) Plant: Coleus, 55) Plant: Nemesia

In the last few years, coleus have been introduced in many new colors. It’s drought tolerant and includes trailing, mounded, and upright varieties in too many colors to count. “A bonus is that their delicate flowers are a huge pollinator magnet for butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds,” says Wise.

Exposure: Shade to sun, depending on the variety

55) Plant: Nemesia

13) Plant: Olive Tree, 19) Plant: Impatiens, 25) Idea: Recycled Rain Boot Planters, 27) Idea: Tiny Teapot Planter, 29) Plant: Petunias, 30) Idea: Spiller, Thriller, Filler, 31) Plant: Sweet Alyssum, 33) Plant: Canna Lily, 36) Plant: Calibrachoa, 38) Idea: Cactus and Succulent Garden, 39) Idea: Multiple Pots in the Same Color, 40) Idea: Ladder Container Garden, 42) Idea: Terra Cotta Edible Garden, 45) Plant: Sweet Potato Vine, 47) Idea: Lush Hanging Baskets, 49) Plant: Chili Pepper, 50) Plant: Euphorbia, 51) Idea: Bicycle Planter, 52) Plant: Angelonia, 53) Idea: Stacked Boxes, 54) Plant: Coleus, 55) Plant: Nemesia

Resembling teeny-tiny snapdragons, these perky little flowers on upright stems come in tons of bright colors including purple, pink, cranberry, bright yellow, pale yellow, orange, and white.

Exposure: Part sun to sun

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