Plants for pots are one of the simplest ways to transform a garden, balcony or terrace — especially in spring, when everything begins to stir back into life. Whether you’re styling a gravel garden, framing a doorway or softening a patio, the right planting combination can add height, movement, colour and structure all year round.
From evergreen plants for pots that anchor a space in winter, to tall screening plants and trailing varieties that spill beautifully over the edge, this guide brings together the best outdoor options for UK gardens — practical, stylish and easy to grow.
Whether you’re styling a gravel garden, framing a doorway or softening a patio, the right planting combination can add height, movement, colour and structure all year round — and if you’re planning a bigger refresh, browse our full collection of garden ideas.
Shopping edit
The pot shapes that make plants for pots look instantly “done”
If you only buy (or upgrade) a few containers, start here: a classic terracotta for warmth, a sleek wheeled planter for flexibility, and a wide bowl that makes layering feel effortless.
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Verona Extra Large Italian Terracotta Plant Pot
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Gardenesque x Ecopots Large Wheeled Plant Pot
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Large Glazed Bowl Planter
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Style note: choose generous, weighty planters for tall plants — it keeps your display looking intentional (and far less likely to topple).
Evergreen Plants for Pots (Year-Round Structure)
Evergreens are the backbone of container planting. They keep a space feeling designed even in February, when everything else is resting.
Top evergreen plants for pots:
- Box (Buxus) – Classic clipped balls for formal structure
- Olive trees – Perfect for sunny patios and Mediterranean styling
- Hebe – Glossy foliage and compact growth
- Dwarf conifers – Excellent for winter texture
- Skimmia – Deep green leaves with winter berries
- Fatsia japonica – Architectural foliage for shade
Many of the best plants for pots combine evergreen structure with seasonal colour layered at the base.
A generously sized terracotta planter instantly gives evergreen plants for pots more presence. The warmth of clay softens clipped box balls or olive trees, creating year-round structure that feels relaxed rather than formal. Choose a pot slightly larger than you think — roots need room, and proportion is everything outdoors.
Style tip: Use large ceramic or stone planters for evergreen plants — the weight visually anchors the greenery and prevents top-heavy pots from tipping in wind.
Explore more styling ideas in our gravel garden ideas with pots article.
Best Flowering Plants for Pots
When spring arrives, flowering plants lift the entire mood of a space. Pots allow you to experiment with colour and switch things up seasonally.
Reliable flowering plants for pots:
- Tulips (excellent in spring containers)
- Narcissi and daffodils
- Ranunculus
- Geraniums (hardy varieties for long-lasting colour)
- Salvia
- Lavender
- Hydrangeas (for larger pots)
Layering tip: Plant spring bulbs beneath summer perennials in the same container — as one fades, the next takes over.
Larger flowering plants for pots, such as hydrangeas, need space to thrive. A wide terracotta container allows roots to establish properly while visually balancing the generous blooms above. Placing these near seating areas makes the colour and texture feel immersive.
Tall Plants for Pots (Ideal for Screening)
If you’re looking for privacy or vertical drama, tall plants for pots are the solution — particularly useful for small gardens and terraces.
Best tall plants for pots:
- Clumping bamboo (non-invasive varieties)
- Photinia
- Bay trees
- Cordyline
- Ornamental grasses such as Miscanthus
- Olive trees
These are perfect for flanking doorways or creating natural screening along a boundary.
For truly fast privacy, bamboo is one of the most effective screening plants — just make sure you choose a clump-forming variety and give it the right container and root space. See our full guide to screening plants for more privacy ideas.
Trailing Plants for Pots
Nothing softens plants for pots quite like a trailing edge. As soon as foliage starts to spill and tumble, a container feels fuller, more relaxed — and far more intentional, even if you’ve only planted up one pot.
Trailing favourites for plants for pots:
- Trailing ivy
- Bacopa
- Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’
- Lobelia
- Trailing petunias
- Creeping Jenny
Style tip: Let one trailing plant do the draping, then keep the rest of your planting a little neater. That contrast — tidy structure above, softness below — is what makes plants for pots look professionally styled.
Hardy & Low Maintenance Outdoor Potted Plants
For those wanting low maintenance outdoor potted plants all year, focus on resilient, drought-tolerant varieties.
Low maintenance options:
- Lavender
- Rosemary
- Sedum
- Hebe
- Ornamental grasses
- Hardy geraniums
- Box balls
These plants cope well with UK weather fluctuations and require minimal fuss beyond occasional watering and feeding.
Plants for Pots in Shade
Shadier spaces still deserve beautiful containers.
Shade-friendly plants for pots:
- Fatsia
- Ferns
- Heuchera
- Hostas
- Skimmia
- Ivy
Use lighter coloured pots in darker areas to bounce available light.
Winter Plants for Pots
Winter containers prevent a garden from feeling dormant.
Winter planting ideas:
- Skimmia (berries)
- Winter pansies
- Heathers
- Cyclamen
- Hellebores
- Ornamental cabbages
Combine evergreen foliage with pops of winter colour for a layered look.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best plants for pots?
The best plants for pots are those that suit your light conditions and offer long-term structure. Evergreen plants such as box, olive trees and hebe provide year-round greenery, while flowering options like tulips, geraniums and lavender add seasonal colour.
What are the best low maintenance outdoor potted plants?
Lavender, rosemary, ornamental grasses, sedum and hardy geraniums are among the easiest low maintenance outdoor potted plants. They tolerate UK weather changes and require minimal pruning or feeding.
What plants will grow in pots in September?
September is ideal for planting spring bulbs in pots (tulips, narcissi, alliums) as well as evergreen shrubs, heathers and hardy perennials that establish before winter.
What are the easiest plants to grow in pots?
Box, lavender, hebe, geraniums and hardy ferns are among the easiest plants to grow in pots. Choose larger containers with good drainage to reduce watering frequency and root stress.
Final Thoughts
Pots offer flexibility that borders can’t. They allow you to experiment with height, colour, screening and seasonal interest — all without redesigning your entire garden.
Whether you’re styling a gravel courtyard, a compact balcony or a larger patio, the right mix of evergreen structure, flowering accents and trailing softness turns ordinary corners into layered, intentional spaces.
More Garden Ideas to Explore
Looking to take your container garden further? These guides explore styling, structure and seasonal planting in more depth.