Top 10 Best Plants and Flowers for Growing in Pots

By Luke Miller

Reviewed by Melinda Myers

Fact-checked by Kirsten Schrader

Birds & Blooms Editorial Policies

Updated on Feb. 13, 2026

Even if you have a small garden, deck or patio, you can still grow container plants! We found the best flowers for pots.

These one-pot wonders don’t need a partner—they shine on their own.

Ball Horticultural Company

Brasco Violet Brachyscome

Brachyscome ‘DBRASC9’, Annual

This long bloomer sticks around all the way from spring until frost and features violet blossoms that resemble daisies with their golden centers. The plant’s mounded habit is 12 to 18 inches tall with a slightly smaller width, so it’s a one of the best flowers for pots.

Why we love it: Not fussy at all, it is both low maintenance and heat tolerant.

Senorita Rosalita Spider Flower

Cleome ‘Inncleosr’, Zones 10 to 11 or Annual

A container-friendly, shorter version of an old cottage favorite, this cleome has bright blooms without the thorns or self-seeding tendencies of the species. It grows 2 to 4 feet tall and prefers to be in full sun.

Why we love it: The uniquely shaped and colored flowers decorate the entire stem.

Easy Wave Blue Spreading Petunia — Ball Horticultural Company

Wave Petunia

Petunia x hybrida, Annual

As the name suggests, these petunias feature a wave of vibrant color. Growing just 5 to 7 inches tall but spreading 2 to 4 feet, Wave petunias can engulf a container and bloom from spring until frost.

Why we love it: Not only does it offer nonstop flowers in many colors, but it’s also known to tolerate high heat and humidity.

Superbells Calibrachoa

Calibrachoa hybrid, Zones 9 to 11 or Annual

With its heat tolerance and continuous bloom, Superbells is a big-time favorite with container gardeners. Just 6 to 12 inches tall with a spread twice as wide, Superbells comes in dozens of colors and is known to attract hummingbirds.

Why we love it: Deadheading is not needed—this variety offers flowers all summer long.

Compact Tropical Rose SunPatiens

Impatiens x hybrida ‘SAKimp037’, Zones 10 to 11 or Annual

The vibrant reddish pink flowers are hard to miss, but the two-tone green and cream foliage also draws plenty of attention. This impatiens is one of the best flowers for pots, as it reaches about 2 feet tall and 14 to 20 inches wide.

Why we love it: The fun variegation provides an additional visual spark. Plus, it has the ability to grow in sun to part shade.

Purple Potion Trailing Lantana

Lantana sellowiana ‘MONPur’, Zones 9 to 11 or Annual

With a form perfectly suited to containers, this trailing lantana grows just 8 to 12 inches tall but splays out 3 to 6 feet. As a bonus, violet blooms keep coming all summer long. Research before planting, as it can be invasive in some areas.

Why we love it: Plant one in a container and another at the base of the pot for a two-tiered treat.

Heart to Heart Caladium

Caladium hortulanum ‘Flatter me’, Zones 10 to 11 or Annual

You won’t mind the lack of flowers with leaves like this. The flashy leaf pattern features a mottled mix of light and dark green backing striking hot pink veins. Flatter Me reaches 15 to 20 inches tall and 10 to 14 inches wide. Caladium can thrive in pots.

Why we love it: Use caladium to brighten up a shady outdoor spot or as a houseplant.

Azalea Encore Autumn Starburst — Encore® Azalea

Autumn Starburst Dwarf Azalea

Rhododendron ‘Robleze’, Zones 6 to 10

Go ahead, put a flowering shrub in a pot! This dwarf azalea reaches a height of 3 to 5 feet and has a slightly wider spread. The eye-catching flowers are red and pink, and at 2 1/2 inches across, they’re hard to miss.

Why we love it: The spring coloring is simply stunning, and it reblooms later in the season.

flowers for pots, Petite Knockout Container — Star® Roses and Plants

Petite Knock Out Rose

Rosa ‘Meibenbino’, Zones 5 to 10

The same flower power of the standard Knock Out rose is now in a compact size; so it’s one of the best flowers for pots and containers. The red blooms on Petite Knock Out Rose are abundant on this bushy variety that grows 18 inches tall.

Why we love it: There’s a lot to like when it comes to the long-lasting blooms and nonfading bright red color.

Oo La La Bougainvilla — Doreen Wynja for Monrovia

Oo-La-La Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea ‘Monka’, Zones 10 to 11 or Annual

This vining plant grows just 1 1/2 feet tall but can spread 6 to 8 feet to fill a container with its tropical color. It is practically drenched in magenta bracts, which are modified leaves surrounding the actual white flowers that attract pollinators.

Why we love it: The compact form is makes it one of the best flowers for pots or hanging baskets, and the bracts last longer than other bougainvilleas.

Author

Luke Miller

Luke Miller is an award-winning garden editor with 30 years of experience in horticultural communications, most of it with Better Homes & Gardens special interest publications, Garden Gate magazine and Lowe’s Creative Ideas. He’s written about a number of gardening topics for Birds & Blooms, as well. A lifelong gardener and nature enthu...

Reviewer

Melinda Myers

Melinda Myers is a nationally known, award-winning garden expert, speaker, TV/radio host and author of more than 20 books. She is the instructor for The Great Courses How to Grow Anything DVD and Instant Video series and host of the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moments TV and Radio segments. With a master’s degree in horticulture and ...

Fact Checker

Kirsten Schrader

Now Birds & Blooms' content director, Kirsten has been writing about birding and gardening for 17 years. Her writing and editing roles have spanned the print and digital landscape. Although she has traveled to see amazing birds throughout the U.S., Kirsten has one dream bucket list bird—the male painted bunting.