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It’s the summertime, and you can’t get enough of the great outdoors. If you’re one of the fortunate few with a beautiful outdoor patio, you’re surely making the most of every moment spent there.
Picture this: vibrant family gatherings filled with laughter and joy, followed by leisurely afternoons basking in the sun’s warm embrace. But wait, something’s missing from this scene – plants! Your patio is practically begging for a touch of nature’s magic.
Prepare yourself for a transformation that will breathe life into your outdoor haven. With the addition of attractive plants, your patio will become a gorgeous oasis, oozing an irresistible charm. Imagine how inviting, tranquil, and cozy it will become!
So brace yourself for a wonderful change as you upgrade your patio with abundant attractive patio plants. Soon, you’ll be fully immersed in the weather and actively partaking in more outdoor activities.
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Best Plants for Patio
1. Succulents
Succulents are wonderful plants for a patio. Succulents are very low maintenance and only require limited hydration, periodic watering, and sunlight. They are perfect for those who live in warmer climates and have a sunny patio.
However, if you are in an area that gets cold a few months out of the year, bring your succulents inside to protect them from the harsh weather. Opt for the Jade plant, known for and symbolic of bringing happiness, good vibes, and prosperity to the home.
2. Lavender
Lavender is a beautiful plant that blooms in shades of white and purple. This colorful plant smells amazing, bringing a pleasing perfume scent to your patio. Lavender is easy to grow, does well in pots, and thrives in sunny areas.
This popular plant can also be used for medicinal and cooking purposes, making it extremely versatile. If properly cared for, it can bloom for a long time because of its low maintenance and ability to withstand high heat, drought, and wind.
3. Herbs
From Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, and Basil, Herbs make excellent plants for patio. These particular herb plants thrive in direct sun and light and require lots of water to keep them hydrated. On the contrary, Herbs such as Chives, Dill, Mint, and Parsley thrive in areas with partial shade but also make excellent potted plants for patio.
From freshly snipped to dried herbs, these edible plants also make great companions for your cooking needs. They are extremely low maintenance and easy to grow. So go ahead and create a herb garden. Place them in a large or small pot and let the herbs grow vertically on your patio.
4. Eucalyptus
There is something therapeutic about the smell of eucalyptus. With its gorgeous and bold aesthetics, eucalyptus makes perfect plants for a patio. Since they love the sun, place this plant in a sunny area on your patio.
5. Boston Ferns
Ferns are a great choice for patio gardens as they prefer very low light and shade. This evergreen, low-maintenance plant can add so much character to a patio.
They are extremely versatile as they can be hung from a hanging basket or potted in a plant pot. With its large bushy leaves, this plant will makeover your patio and add texture and tropical lushness to the space.
6. Golden Bamboo
If you strive for increased privacy from your neighbors, the golden bamboo plant is an excellent addition to your patio garden. It grows very large and can be the perfect plant to box out neighbors and block unsightly views.
Although they grow well in plant pots, they can easily spread if not contained. This airy yet delicate plant is easy to care for and makes an excellent plant for a patio.
7. English Ivy
English Ivy is a trailing plant that looks and holds up great in an apartment patio garden. Ivy will take to pretty much any growing environment and is super easy to care for.
Just make sure to keep it in a pot, as it is known as an invasive species in some areas and can become overgrown.
8. Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums, also known as Mums, are so pretty and will certainly add beauty to your patio garden. These popular flowers come in a variety of colors and sizes. They love to soak up a full sun and make for some of the best patio plants.
9. Petunia
This sun-loving plant comes in a variety of beautiful colors and sizes. The Petunia is an annual plant with cascading habits that sometimes give off a sweet fragrance smell.
With varieties ranging from single and double blooms, ruffled or smooth petals, to striped veined and solid colors, it’s no wonder they are a patio garden favorite. With their long flowering period and exceptional bloom, Petunias require full sun and thorough watering at least once a week.
10. Marigold
Marigolds are very pretty annual plants that are unfussy and uncomplicated. This beauty will add color to your patio garden with orange and yellow flowers.
These plants for patio are easy to care for if they get lots of water and direct sunlight. They are super hardy and low maintenance and grow well in containers.
11. Snake Plant
Snake plants are great houseplants that make excellent housewarming gifts, can thrive on an apartment patio, and make for some of the best outdoor plants. This trendy modern plant is resilient and sturdy, allowing it to grow in almost any environment.
This plant is beginner friendly and can tolerate neglect, making it perfect for anyone with a busy lifestyle who cannot nurture a plant consistently.
12. Golden Pothos
Pothos are popular houseplants that can also be excellent balcony plants. This lush tropical vine plant, known for its trailing heart-shaped leaves, can climb, transforming into a lush cascade of greenery.
It is one of the easiest plants to take care of and one of the best plants for gifts, making it ideal for the avid traveler, the not-so-green thumb, and those with limited experience caring for plants. Just keep the pothos in the shade, as they can get burned from the full sun.
13. Sweet Alyssum
Sweet alyssum has delicate, sweetly scented blooms and flowers from spring to frost. Give it room to cascade down the sides of planters or hanging baskets, and keep it watered. It needs full sun but tolerates some shade.
14. Fushia
Fushia plants bloom in full shade. With their gorgeous red, pink, or purple look, they are best in hanging baskets and window boxes. These shade-loving plants are a great option for an apartment patio. But don’t be surprised if you see birds, butterflies, and even hummingbirds enter your patio because of this attractive plant.
15. Begonias
These colorful plants are very low maintenance and will bloom on a shady patio. This shade-loving plant prefers warmer areas and lots of water.
16. Fruits and Vegetables
Some certain fruits and vegetables can grow well on balconies. They include strawberries and cherry tomatoes. Strawberries make a great patio plant and look good in hanging planters.
Cherry Tomatoes can also be planted in containers and may produce many fruits in the growing season. But be sure to plant these fruits and vegetables in a well-drained soil pot with drainage holes.
How to Determine the Best Patio Plants?
The type of plant that will thrive on your patio will depend primarily on the following:
Climate Conditions – You must consider the local climate conditions when choosing a plant -from the direction and intensity of the sun, wind conditions, and microclimates. The amount of direct sunlight the space receives is important in determining what type of plants will thrive and survive on your patio.
Some plants do well with a lot of sunlight, while others are most suitable in partially and fully shaded areas. So depending on how much sunlight your patio gets and if you have a south-facing or north-facing patio, you must opt for a plant that can endure the specific climate condition.
Your personal schedule – Be honest about your schedule and capacity to care for the outdoor plants. If you are an adventurer or travel a lot for work, you may not have the time to maintain or provide the plants with regular watering. So it’s important to choose low-maintenance plants or drought-tolerant plants that can go extended periods without care and withstand varying temperatures and climate conditions.
Plants that grow well in pots – Not all plants grow well in pots, and since you might not be able to plant directly onto the patio, choosing plants that grow well in pots is essential. However, you’re in luck, as many potted plants cultivate and grow well in pots, making them excellent candidates for your patio.
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Tamara White is the creator and founder of The Thrifty Apartment, a home decor and DIY blog that focuses on affordable and budget-friendly home decorating ideas and projects. Tamara documents her home improvement journey, love of thrifting, tips for space optimization, and creating beautiful spaces.
