The best plants for pots all year round are versatile and adaptable, making them suitable for container planting in various regions of the UK. The beauty of these outdoor plants is that even if it isn't in flower you can still enjoy textured and sumptuous evergreen foliage. Discover plants for all seasons, whatever the weather.
Even if you're stuck inside on a winter's day, there's something promising about the cheerful blooms of pansies in terracotta chimney pots outside the window. Conversely, if it's the height of summer and the hosepipe ban is in full force, fragrant lavender is a drought-tolerant plant that thrives in pots and inspires with its Provencial hues.
Best plants for pots all year round at a glance
• Best Alpine plants for pots: 20 Different Alpine Rockery Plants – View on Amazon UK
• Best flowers for cold weather: Pansy 'Delta Mix' - View on Amazon UK
• Best pot plant for hot summers: English Lavender ‘Lavandula Munstead’ – View on Amazon UK
Pot plants, such as primroses, are hardy and easy to grow – perfect for planting a spring trough. Once established, they are low maintenance too. Also, many of the flowering plants attract pollinators, encouraging wildlife to frequent your garden. In general, pot plants need well-draining soil and regular watering and while most will enjoy full sun, some species will be shade-loving plants.
When choosing plants for pots that will thrive all year round, it's essential to consider your climate and the amount of sunlight the pots will receive. Choose a good fertiliser and water your buds more regularly than bedding plants, as pot plants have a limited volume of soil from which to draw nutrients and water. Finally, if you don't know your perennial from your biennial, scroll to the FAQs below.
Best plants for pots and containers all year round
Best Alpine plants for pots
This tray of 20 Different Alpine Rockery Plants has received exceptionally positive reviews on Amazon. Grown in a Lincolnshire nursery, these are hardy, healthy and ready to plant Alpines in peat-free compost. The little Alpines will flower from spring to summer, and make a wonderful addition to containers, troughs, even old sinks and strawberry planters. Every plant is different, so you get a good mixture of colour and foliage.
Customer review: "Absolutely delighted with my alpines. They have made a beautiful display and everyone admires them. Top seller, well done."
Pros
- Great quality Alpines
- Add a greeting message
- Very positive Amazon reviews
Cons
- Expect Alpines to be very small plants
Best pot plant for hot summers
Thompson and Morgan English Lavender ‘Lavandula Munstead’ is a drought-tolerant plant so it's ideal for a summer-time patio. Lavender's distinctive fragrance and the linear, clustered flowers attract bees and butterflies. Position in full sun in well-draining soil. Relax and enjoy its calming benefits. Pick the flowers and dry them so you can enjoy the therapeutic scent for longer.
Customer review: "The two I ordered arrived in good condition as they were carefully packed. Healthy plants. Good value for money."
Pros
- Drought tolerant
- Attracts bees and butterflies
- Fragrance
Cons
- Some reviews comment that plant is small upon arrival
Best flowers for cold weather
There's hardly a garden without a container of pansies and violas in a UK garden during winter. Pansy 'Delta Mix' x 20 Full Plant Pack blooms in abundance, earlier and longer than other varieties of pansy. It's another Amazon Choice product and comes from Acqua Garden, based in Oxfordshire. Feel uplifted by these sweet blooms throughout the winter, as these cold-tolerant annuals flower both in spring and autumn. The heart-shaped petals come in an array of vibrant colours and can brighten the chilliest of days.
Customer review: "Delivery was sooner than expected and the plants were securely packaged with no damage at all. The plants themselves were super healthy and lovingly grown. Buds are appearing quickly, can't wait until the colours fully show. Such a great bonus to receive a bag of slug-repellent compost which I used as a topper over my compost."
Pros
- Long flowering season
- Tolerates low temperatures and light frosts
- Low maintenance
Cons
- Root rot in waterlogged soil
Best Geranium for pot planting
www.thompson-morgan.com
Thompson and Morgan claim this Geranium 'Best Red' F1 Hybrid had outperformed other geraniums in their trials. It's a half-hardy perennial that keeps its vibrant red flower throughout summer and well into autumn. Plant in sun or semi-shade in light, non-acidic, well-drained soil. Geraniums need to be kept frost-free, and regular deadheading will encourage more flowers. In addition, Geranium can be overwintered in a greenhouse, otherwise, treat them like an annual.
Customer review: "These have done really well and look lovely in pots."
Pros
- Top performing Geranium
- Long flowering period
- Versatile planting
Cons
- Only half-hardy
Best for fast-growing container plants
www.thompson-morgan.com
Get an incredible array of colours, now with 18 types, in this Petunia 'Easy Wave Ultimate Mixed. Petunias grow fast and in abundance. Because they are so attractive and easy to grow they have become a staple of most UK gardens. They're a half-hardy annual that enjoys full sun but can also tolerate changeable weather. Also, Petunia is a trailing plant, so you could fill a trough or a few hanging baskets for spectacular swathes of colour.
Customer review: "Great mix of colours attractive colourful tubs."
Pros
- Fast growing
- Abundant multi-coloured blooms
- Trailing
- Weather tolerant
Cons
- Some reviews comment that not all the plants survived
Best for tall blooms
www.dobies.co.uk
Giving a bouquet of Chrysanthemums shows our love for someone dear. Chrysanthemums symbolise joy, love and optimism in many cultures, so what could be better than to grow them in your garden? These tall and vibrant Chrysanthemum Amiko Violet blooms attract butterflies and bees and provide long-lasting flowers to perk up your pots. The mauve double blooms flower from summer, well into autumn. They like full sun and well-drained soil.
Pros
- Attracts pollinators
- Make cut flowers
- Tall blooms
- Low-maintenance perennials
Cons
- No customer review
Best early spring flowers
www.thompson-morgan.com
Duo-tone colours in a range of rainbow hues, these Primrose 'Husky Mixed' bring so much joy for minimal effort. Ready to plant, these robust garden-ready flowers are hardy perennials that just need watering in their new home. Primroses enjoy the sun or partial shade and can even withstand snow. Take care not to overwater in winter, as saturated soil causes root rot.
Customer review: "Well packaged and delivered with care, quality plants."
Pros
- Cold weather resistant
- Multi-coloured
- Low maintenance
- Garden ready
Cons
- Some reviews comment that the plants were smaller than expected
Best for a large pot
www.dobies.co.uk
If you like big blooms Dahlia 'Pink Suffusion' is a top pick. The flower heads can be as large as 15cm and are a painterly blend of pink, mauve and yellow. The globe-shaped petals are spectacular and provide colour and form from July to October. Dahlias enjoy full sun and nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. Because they can grow up to one metre high, plant in a large container. Also, avoid planting until the risk of frost has passed.
Pros
- Huge, spectacular blooms
- Mesmerising colour and form
- For large containers
Cons
- No customer review
FAQs
What does perennial mean?
A perennial refers to a plant that continues to grow year after year; re-growing each year from the same root system.
What does annual mean?
An annual plant completes its entire lifecycle, from germination to seed production, within a single growing season, typically one year.
What does biennial mean?
A biennial plant takes two years to complete its lifecycle, growing leaves in the first year, then flowering and seeding in the second.
What does hardy mean?
Hardy refers to plants capable of surviving cold temperatures and adverse conditions, often without requiring special protection during the winter.
What does half-hardy mean?
Half-hardy refers to plants that can tolerate mild frost but are not fully cold-resistant, often requiring protection in colder climates or seasons.
How do I care for plants in pots?
Proper care, including watering, fertilising and repotting is essential to keep your pot plants thriving throughout the year. Always check the specific requirements of each plant to ensure they will do well in your particular environment. The RHS offer extensive guidance on container planting, including what type of container to choose, when to plant and what type of compost to use.
What to read next:
Best large outdoor plant pots to give your plants space to thrive
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Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Modern Gardens, specialising in garden trends. When she's not flexing her mow-how, Natalie is a successful artist and illustrator.