When choosing which plants to grow in a pot outdoors, think about their size and how well they will adapt to the space. Some popular plants for outdoor pots are Coreopsis, Begonias, New Guinea impatiens, and Salsa mix. But what is the best plant for a particular container? Let’s take a look at a few common choices and discuss their benefits and drawbacks. We hope this article helps you choose the right plants for your patio or outdoor pots.
Salsa mix
There are two ways to grow tomatoes for salsa: by using seedlings or by planting them from set. If you plant them later in the season, you can use onion sets or seedlings. Regardless of planting method, be sure to water them frequently and fertilize them. Onions can be tough to grow but they will give your salsa the flavor it needs. Plant them 6 inches apart in rows about 4 feet apart.
The first step is choosing the right soil mix. If you’re planting in a pot, use Miracle-Gro Potting Mix or Shake ‘n Feed’ Tomato, Fruit, and Vegetable Plant Food. Both mixes provide good nutrients for growing in containers. Another option is Homemade Salsa Garden. This mixture contains aged compost. After the pots are planted, they’ll need six hours of sun per day.
You can grow basic salsa ingredients from seed or transplants. The basics like cilantro, tomatoes, and peppers can be grown in pots or raised beds. Beginner gardeners should start small and keep it simple. A five-foot plot is sufficient to grow one or two tomato plants and a few pepper plants. Other easy to grow ingredients include onion seedlings and cilantro. However, the seeds should be started indoors before transplanting them outdoors.
Begonias
Begonias are great plants for pots, but they are especially attractive in containers. Begonias can tolerate short dry periods and are known for their vivid colors. Depending on their growing conditions, you can choose from pink, white, or rhizomatous varieties. These plants are suitable for lining a pathway, under a tall plant, or mixed into your border. Some of these plants can also be brought indoors for winter use.
While most begonias are hardy, they do require a certain type of soil to thrive. They do best in a well-drained soil with a high concentration of humus. Begonias should be spaced at least six inches apart for best growth. Begonias should also be planted hollow-side up to avoid root rot. To maintain the plant in a pot, water it thoroughly every few days. Make sure not to over-water it will die.
If you are using begonias for pots outdoors, you must feed them on a regular basis to encourage healthy growth. Fertilizing begonias with a slow-release granular fertilizer once a month will ensure a strong, healthy plant. Remember to use a good quality fertilizer. Always read the label to avoid over-feeding your plants. Moreover, you can use an all-purpose fertilizer diluted to one-fourth strength.
New Guinea impatiens
If you’re looking for a flower that will brighten up your window throughout the year, consider planting a New Guinea impatiens. These flowers are excellent for bordering walkways and are also an attractive choice for the front of the garden. You can also plant these in large blocks for dramatic effect. They grow up to sixteen inches high and should receive supplemental fertilization every three to four weeks. Some New Guinea impatiens are also perennials, so you can grow them in pots as houseplants. In either case, they’ll probably need more watering than they would in the yard.
If you’re interested in growing these plants outdoors, be sure to water them when the soil is dry two inches down. Then, water slowly, letting the water drip from the drainage holes. Fertilizing your New Guinea impatiens is easy; you can simply add a water-soluble fertilizer to the soil every time you water them. This will ensure a vibrant flower display, and green leaves throughout the summer.
Coreopsis
When planted in containers, coreopsis will thrive and bloom in poor soil. They don’t need much fertilizer and are tolerant of neglect. They also reseed profusely. Place coreopsis in containers eight to ten inches deep with six to eight hours of sunlight per day. Ensure adequate drainage and moisture, and deadhead regularly to promote reblooming.
You can plant Coreopsis in drifts or massed arrangements. It softens the look of bold leaves and flowers. It also attracts butterflies. The flowering time of Coreopsis depends on where you live. In a milder climate, it will flower all season long, but it won’t grow as well as a full sun plant. In a shaded area, it may not survive the winter.
If you live in a climate with regular rainfall, consider growing coreopsis in a pot. It thrives in moderately moist soil and will bloom throughout the summer. If you live in a hot climate, this plant is best grown in full sunlight and requires little water. But if you don’t want to deal with the heat, coreopsis is the best plant for your outdoor container.
Marigolds
Marigolds need direct sunlight to thrive, but they can tolerate a wide range of humidity. If your summers are humid, they can develop powdery mildew. To reduce this risk, plant marigolds in a spot that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. However, you should be aware that blooming may decrease in the summer months; however, they will resume when cooler temperatures start to set in. Marigolds do not require supplemental fertilizer and require only deadheading to keep them in bloom.
When planting marigolds, make sure you water them frequently until new growth has started. Once they start to grow, marigolds do not need much water, but you should keep the soil moist until they bloom. Marigolds tolerate drought well, but they do need watering during hot summer weather. However, if you don’t have a watering schedule, you can also fertilize your pots every two weeks.
Tickseed
Tickseed is a wonderful plant for pots and the outdoors. Its vibrant blooms make it an excellent choice for your pots and edging. Not only is it beautiful, but it also supports ecosystem life by attracting pollinators. Moreover, it attracts many birds that love to feed on its seeds, which helps in seed dispersal. In fact, tickseed is one of the best plants for pots outdoor.
Tickseed requires little to no care. It grows well in common garden soils and can tolerate rocky or sandy soils. They are resistant to most common plant diseases and pests, and you can save time and money on plant care. Tickseed does not require fertilizer or pesticide, and it is a low-maintenance plant that requires little attention. Tickseed also prefers a sunny location with adequate air circulation.
Tickseed is a perennial plant and will self-seed. If grown as an annual, it will bloom again the following year. If planted in a perennial, the flowers will decrease every year. Hence, you should divide it when fewer flowers appear. However, you can easily divide tickseed plants. If you want to have multiple plants, you can consider dividing them every 3 to four years. In addition to this, tickseed is resistant to rabbits and deer, making it one of the best plants for pots and the outdoors.
Lobelia
A perennial lobelia plant can grow up to four feet in height, while its annual counterpart only grows up to 14 inches. They are excellent for container gardening and can also be used in hanging baskets, window boxes, deck railing planters, and even as folk medicine. They grow well in partial shade and prefer well-drained soil with a pH of six to seven. Best planted outdoors in spring or summer, they bloom from spring to midsummer and are perfect for pollinator gardens.
Lobelia is one of the most popular flowers in the world, and its blooms will grace your space for many years to come. Its seeds are small and stick together in seed starting trays. Start your lobelia seedlings indoors as early as possible in spring and transplant them to outdoor locations once the danger of frost has passed. The seeds will germinate in 14 days at 70 degrees Fahrenheit. However, lower temperatures will take longer. When indoors, lobelia seedlings take about a month or so to reach maturity and can be transplanted into their new homes outside after the last frost.
Areca palm
If you’re in the market for a new plant for your home or office, consider an Areca palm. These beautiful and functional plants require medium maintenance and are great for both indoor and outdoor spaces. Their care is similar, though the outdoors is much warmer and dryer. Keep these tips in mind when you grow them in pots and prepare your environment for them. If you want to enjoy their beautiful beauty for many years to come, you can plant them in pots and place them outdoors.
An Areca palm should be planted in a container that is somewhat cramped and slightly root bound. This will help the plant maintain a smaller size indoors. Repotting the Areca palm is ideal every two to three years, but it is not necessary every year. If you notice yellowing leaves, you should move it to a different location until the leaves have turned brown. You can also replant it at the same depth as when you first planted it.