Rapidly Expanding Flora: Plants That Flourish Marvelously in Vessels and Receptacles
Ready to level up your container garden game? These rapid growers, handpicked by green thumb pros, thrive in pots and add swift color, texture, and fragrance to your small-space oasis. Let's dive into the best picks!
For quick coverage and fragrance:
- Mint: Ideal for pot-bound gardens, this versatile herb is easy to care for. Just ensure your container has a drainage hole and the soil stays evenly moist[1].
- Zones: 3 to 9
- Size: Varies; 12 to 24 inches tall x 12 to 24 inches wide
- Care requirements: Moist, slightly acidic soil; full sun
For a floral fancy on your porch:
- Star Jasmine: This densely growing vine brings a delightful, sweet fragrance to your porch or patio. McEnaney adores it as a "vining centerpiece for my large pots."[2]
- Zones: 8 to 11
- Size: Varies
- Care requirements: Full to partial sun; well-draining soil
For unique leaf contrast and versatile use:
- Silver Shield (Plectranthus argentatus): This silvery plant serves as a stunning backdrop for your container garden, with felted leaves that can trail over the pot edge or function as a low-growing filler[2]. It thrives in partial shade, well-drained soil, making it perfect for cooler temperatures and heat[3].
- Zones: 10 to 11
- Size: 2 to 3 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wide
For eye-catching blooms and pollinators:
- Black & Bloom (Salvia guaranitica): Featuring striking dark blue flowers, this plant blooms throughout warm months, even attracting hummingbirds[2]. Although it requires deadheading for strong blooms, it's low maintenance in other aspects[3].
- Zones: 8 to 10
- Size: Up to 6 feet tall
- Care requirements: Full sun; fertile, well-drained soil
For a vibrant pop in a shady spot:
- Anise Tree: This small anise tree illuminates shady container gardens with bright yellow leaves, providing a cheerful addition. McEnaney also reveals a captivating "party trick" with BananAppeal: simply breaking a leaf to share its distinctive anise scent[1].
- Zones: 7 to 9
- Size: Varies
- Care requirements: Partial sun to full shade; moist, well-draining soil
For a rainbow of blooms and minimal care:
- Begonias (especially Bossa Nova): Known for their low maintenance, begonias like Bossa Nova offer countless frilly flowers in vibrant shades. Hang these bountiful bloomers in baskets to create an impressive display[4].
- Zones: 6 to 10
- Size: 12 to 24 inches tall x 12 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full shade; moist, rich, well-draining soil
For height and charm:
- Climbing Rose (especially 'Above and Beyond'): Adding height and intrigue to container gardens, 'Above and Beyond' displays stunning apricot-colored blooms. Plant it against a wall, trellis, or pergola for structure and let it climb its way to beauty[5].
- Zones: Varies
- Size: Varies
- Care requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil
[1] BananAppeal Anise Tree: A brilliant shrub that can brighten up a shady container garden.
[2] Star Jasmine: Graces smaller gardens with a sweet fragrance, serving well as a vining centerpiece.
[3] Silver Shield: The silver foliage of this plant contrasts beautifully with other, brighter colors.
[4] Begonias: These low-maintenance plants are known for their endless flowers and are a favorite for their striking colors.
[5] Climbing Rose: Varieties like 'Above and Beyond' add height and interest to container gardens, with apricot-colored blooms available.
Martha Stewart recommends the Anise Tree as a vibrant addition to shady container gardens, with bright yellow leaves that emanate a distinctive anise scent. Silver Shield (Plectranthus argentatus) brings unique leaf contrast and versatile use, thriving in partial shade and well-drained soil, making it perfect for cooler temperatures and heat. If you're searching for rapid growers to liven up your container garden, consider the Zones 8 to 10 friendly Black & Bloom (Salvia guaranitica), which boasts striking dark blue flowers and attracts hummingbirds.
