Easy to Grow Flowers in Pots

You’d be surprised how often we hear people saying that they weren’t born with a green thumb. No matter what some people do or how hard they try, they simply can’t keep plants alive. Choosing easy to grow flowers in pots is an essential first step for any beginner-level gardener.

If you haven’t been successful in keeping flowers alive, chances are you haven’t received proper gardening tips. Mother Nature is more forgiving than you’d think, especially when it comes to container gardening.

It doesn’t matter if you’re attempting to grow flowers in a window box, hanging baskets, or flower pots, this article supplies you with everything you must know about easy to grow flowers in pots.

Remarkably Easy to Grow Flowers in Pots for Beginners

Giving easy to grow flowers in pots the proper care from day one is the key to ensuring success in your gardening adventure. Container plants absolutely must have drainage holes in the bottom whether you are growing evergreen patio plants for containers, succulents, flowers, or shrubs.

If you’ve already purchased a container without drainage holes, cut or drill several small holes in the bottom to guarantee proper drainage. If the holes are too big, place a coffee filter over the holes to prevent soil from washing out.

Potting soil is equally as crucial for the success of your flowers. Purchasing potting soil from your local hardware store ensures that your flowers have all the required nutrients for a long and healthy life.

If you’re unable to buy potting soil, putting all-purpose plant food into the dirt is another option. The best easy to grow flowers in pots are annuals.

They last the entire summer and allow gardeners to switch up the species and add a variety of colors around their homes every year.

Note that this is not a comprehensive list of potted plants. You can grow anything from fruit trees to shrubs to roses in containers and enjoy beauty and success.

For cheap fruit trees in pots, think about lemons. You can always freeze your harvest if you reap an excess or share with friends.

Pansies (Viola tricolor)

Pansies bring a cheerful atmosphere around your yard in the early spring and late fall. Some pansies in subtropical areas even bloom throughout the winter season.

Proper soil preparation is an essential step to keep pansies alive. Adding compost or other decomposing organic material adds nutrients to the soil so you won’t have to fertilize them later.

They prefer full sun or partial shade, especially in the hot afternoon hours in USDA zones seven and up.

Petunias (Petunia × atkinsiana)

One of the most popular potted flowers is the petunia. Their trumpet-shaped blossoms come in a variety of colors and add a bright pop against more subtle greenery.

Plant petunias in well-drained soil and full sun after the last frost in the spring. They do grow in partial shade but will have fewer flowers.

Space each plant about one foot apart. Because they’re heat-tolerant, they don’t require daily watering. Watering them only once a week is more than sufficient. To prolong blooming, remove faded or dead flowers.

Begonias (Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum)

Also frequently referred to as wax or bedding begonias, these small plants make great fillers in larger pots with other plants. When planted in a mass, they make a stunning focal point.

Although begonias enjoy a sunny spot, the heat starting in early summer may cause them stress. Moving the begonias to a location with afternoon shade makes them much happier in the long run.

Keep the soil moist throughout the season, and deadhead spent blooms. Water them at the base to prevent leaf spots and fungal diseases.

Salvia (Salvia officinalis)

If you’re going to attempt growing any flower, let it be salvia. Salvia’s tubular, purple blooms last from early spring through early fall and are incredibly low-maintenance. Purchase them as annuals, or perennials if you prefer year-round beauty.

They also attract essential pollinators like hummingbirds and bees, an imperative component of any healthy garden. Salvias are heat and drought-tolerant, making them even harder for beginners to kill.

Depending on the species, they grow at least 18 inches tall, up to around five feet. Place them in full sun and well-drained soil, and you’ll soon feel like a master gardener.

Mexican Marigolds (Tagetes erecta)

Marigolds stand out among the rest with their red, orange, and yellow hues that bloom all summer long. The flowers grow either individually or in clusters, depending on which of the 50 species you choose.

Most marigolds are safe to plant anytime through the summer but are ideally planted in the early spring when the frost has passed.

They thrive in the sunshine and withstand sweltering summers. If placed in a shady spot, they become prone to mildew which affects their growth.

Geraniums (Pelargonium peltatum)

Planting geraniums in pots around your home fills the air with a scent that welcomes you. They have large snowballs of pink and red flowers. Pay close attention to the size and colors of the flowers when shopping.

Healthy stems and leaves are sturdy and free from discolorations. Give geraniums at least four to six hours of daily sunshine. Allow the soil to thoroughly dry between watering sessions, too.

One of our favorite tips with these potted flowers is to pinch the stems to promote bushiness. Repot them as needed throughout the spring to refresh them.

It’s also helpful to pinch off dead flowers and leaves when growing indoor vegetable plants like herbs and peppers.

Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus)

Snapdragons offer gentle, hands-on fun because the unique flower shape snaps open when pinched. They have long-lasting and sweet-smelling flowers that people of all ages love.

Start planting snapdragons indoors six to ten weeks before the final spring frost. Placing pots around the vegetable garden is a smart way to repel deer and keep them from eating your crop.

Place snapdragons in full sun with well-drained soil enriched with compost. Clip the top stem and the longer side shoots to promote active flowering. Provide them with an inch of water per week during dry spells.

Dahlias (Dahlia pinnata)

A dahlia adds loads of texture with its large, spiky pedals. They bloom from the mid-summer to August and come in a rainbow of colors. They range from two-inch lollipops to 15-inch giants. Most species grow four to five feet tall.

Dahlias love moderate, moist climates but don’t thrive in hotter environments like southern Florida. Place the pots in full sun with six to eight hours of sunlight and protection from the wind. They also prefer slightly acidic soil with plenty of drainage.

Zinnias (Zinnia elegans)

Zinnias come in various shapes and textures and offer every color under the rainbow except blue. The flower heads grow on single, erect stems, making them perfect cut flowers. Zinnias don’t like to be transplanted, so grow them from seeds.

Zinnias are susceptible to fungus like black spot, mildew, and rust, so avoid overhead watering and give them plenty of space from other plants to promote circulation. If infection occurs, spray them with copper spray or sulfur dust.

Touch-Me-Nots (Impatiens walleriana)

Touch-me-nots are easy to grow flowers in pots and make beautiful houseplants. Their Latin name describes how the seeds shoot out of the pods when ripe, and touching them may cause them to burst open and scatter seeds.

Touch-me-nots prefer moist, fertile soil and prefer a place safe from strong winds. The most critical step to remember with these flowers is to water them daily, without making the soil soggy.

Overwatering could also encourage fungus growth. The closer the plants are to one another, the taller they grow, so make sure to space them accordingly if you don’t want them to grow 30 inches tall.

Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea)

Morning glory is a vine that grows upward when trained with a trellis or pergola. If you prefer, use it as a dense groundcover around your home as well. Keep an eye out, though. These quick-growing flowers get as long as 15 feet over one season.

The plant has slender stems with trumpet-shaped flowers and heart-shaped leaves. The more sun morning glories have, the better they bloom. Plant them in a pot with fertile soil and an area protected from strong winds.

Garden Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)

Garden nasturtiums are completely edible and produce delicate orange, red, and yellow flowers. These easy to grow houseplants that flower prefer full sun but grow in partial shade as well. The fact that they prefer poorer soils make this a favorite for beginner gardeners.

Water nasturtiums regularly throughout the season and cut off faded flowers to extend blooming. They may need trimming back occasionally. Save the seeds and replant them in the spring to bring back these beauties every single year.

Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus)

Is it too assumptive to say nearly everyone on planet Earth has heard of carnations? These aromatic flowers became popular in the United States decades ago and are beloved by many.

Supply them with four to five hours of sunlight each day and place them in well-draining soil. Water carnations once a week and apply fertilizer at the beginning of the season.

Don’t forget to pinch off spent flower heads and cut them down to ground level after they finish flowering.

Hummingbird Fuchsia (Fuchsia magellanica)

Fuchsias have showy flowers that draw hummingbirds and butterflies to their sweet-smelling nectar. This deciduous shrub makes a statement in large containers and fools your guests into thinking you’re a professional gardener.

The lance-shaped leaves and dangling flowers showcase exotic looking plants with minimal work. Once established, these flowers live for years with minimal care. They are part shade loving plants for pots that prefer rich, moist soil.

Once the soil dries, water them with one to two inches of water. Because the plant hangs, these look especially stunning in hanging baskets near the front door.

Calibrachoas (Calibrachoa parviflora)

Calibrachoas, or Morning Bells, visually resemble small petunias. They are often used in hanging baskets or small areas requiring ground cover. Although they enjoy full sun, they last longer if given light shade in hot summer months.

The bell-shaped flowers offer colors of violet, red, blue, pink, yellow, magenta, bronze, or white. Water them regularly and supply them with well-drained soil enriched with organic material.

Although it isn’t necessary to pinch off flower heads, doing so keeps the calibrachoas bushy through the summer.

Easy to grow flowers in pots are full of color and only take a little bit of watering and fertilizing throughout their entire blooming season. Container gardening is ideal for residents with limited garden space.

Place them on a balcony or next to the driveway to make a statement. Arrange a mixture of small, medium, and large pots to create exciting visuals and heights.

You’ll feel confident enough to handle flowers with more specific needs once you’ve mastered the art of growing flowers in pots.

Gaining a green thumb is a skill that takes practice. A single season of tending to potted flowers sets you up with the basic skills every beginning gardener desires.

If you found some new, easy to grow flowers in pots to incorporate around your home, share these low-maintenance flowers on Facebook and Pinterest.