Ideas For Small Container Gardens

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16 Easy Container Gardening Ideas for Your Potted Plants

Two words: fairy garden.

container gardening, potted plants

Buff Strickland

Weeds are a gardener's enemy. Lighten this summer's workload by building beautiful gardens in planters, steel tubs, decorative boxes, and more. The best part: You can plant anything in a planter as long as there's plenty of water, sunshine, and a hearty fertilizer.

What you'll need: potting soil ($10, amazon.com)

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Ladder Planter

Upcycle an old, rusty ladder by adding a fresh coat of paint and a medley of planters, flower pots, and antique boxes.

Get the tutorial »

What you'll need: wooden step ladder ($55, amazon.com), handsaw ($10, amazon.com), electric drill ($28, amazon.com), wood glue ($4, amazon.com)

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Living Roof Birdhouse

$50

BUY NOW

This two-in-one planter will keep the birds in your neighborhood happy while also adding more greenery to your home. Win-win.

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Antique Bannister Wall Planter

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Pots on a Pallet

Attach clay pots to a pallet with nails and stainless steel cable ties for a living art display that keeps your rosemary and basil at the ready. Remember to space out the pots so your plants have room to grow!

What you'll need: pallet ($7, amazon.com), planter hooks ($16, amazon.com), flower pots ($6, amazon.com)

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Succulents on Shutters

Lean shutters (old or new) against an exterior wall and fill slots with hearty plants such as succulents or mosses. Although succulents are nearly indestructible, place them on the shady side of your home to help them live longer.

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Initial Planters

Create a signature planter by repurposing a cardboard letter. Cut off one face of the hollow initial, line with a plastic bag, then fill with soil and add small flowers like pansies or morning glories. Poke holes in the base to let excess water drain.

Get the tutorial at Hello Glow »

What you'll need: cardboard letter ($6, amazon.com)

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Pocketed Plants

Hang an old canvas or over-the-door shoe organizer on a fence or wall, then fill the compartments with dirt and wispy ferns or vines. Voila — your DIY hanging planter is complete!

What you'll need: shoe organizer ($14, amazon.com)

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Piled on Pots

Green up your patio or deck with oversize terracotta, steel, or plastic planters overflowing with anything from tomatoes to wildflowers. Go big: Add a wood pallet table, outdoor rug, and colorful weatherproof furniture for the ultimate relaxation zone.

What you'll need: planters ($32, amazon.com)

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Birdbath Planter

Hardy succulents, which stow water in their stems and leaves, thrive in shallow birdbaths (who knew?). Pebbles not only hold more moisture in the soil but also add to the desert-inspired look.

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Climbing Plants

Liven up a plain patio wall with a sun-seeking climber, like bougainvillea — the twining vertical vines balance the bushiness below. A simple stake in the dirt is all the trellis you'll need.

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Stepping Stones

To create contrast and visual vibrancy, place clay planters on stairs and fill with interestingly shaped plants, from scallop-leafed geraniums to spiky, serrated agave.

What you'll need: planters ($32, amazon.com)

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Parallel Planters

Instead of waiting for slow-maturing shrubs to provide privacy, use jumbo-size planters as instant screens of green. These parallel rows of foliage fake a focal point, directing garden-goers to a secluded seating spot.

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Mismatched Pots

A mismatched mix of glazed, graphic pots — some overturned so there's a subtle staggering of heights — look coordinated when gathered as a group.

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Mix 'n Match Herbs

Proof that you can turn a bunch of herbs into a stunning porch display. Place a variety of pots and steel tubs on a small table — and then reap the benefits.

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What Your Favorite Flower Says About You

Amanda Garrity Associate Lifestyle Editor As the Associate Lifestyle Editor for GoodHousekeeping.com, Amanda oversees gift guides and covers home, holidays, food, and other lifestyle news.

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