Container gardening is one of the most rewarding and versatile gardening practices, especially for those with limited space. Whether you have a small balcony, a cozy porch, or just a few sunny spots on your windowsill, you can create a stunning garden with a little creativity. One way to add a touch of elegance and charm to your container garden is by choosing spillover plants. These plants are perfect for cascading down from containers, giving your garden a lush, layered look.
In this article, we’ll explore the 12 best spillover plants that will elevate your container garden. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, these plants will bring a touch of vibrancy and beauty to your space.
What are Spillover Plants?
Spillover plants, also known as trailing or cascading plants, are those that grow with a natural tendency to drape or fall over the edges of their containers. They are ideal for adding a dynamic and flowing look to your garden design. Spillover plants can also help soften the hard edges of pots, making them look fuller and more inviting. These plants are perfect for hanging baskets, window boxes, and container gardens where you want to create a sense of movement and texture.
When choosing spillover plants, consider factors like sunlight, climate, and watering needs. Some spillover plants thrive in full sun, while others prefer the shade. Additionally, it’s important to select plants that will work well in your local growing conditions to ensure a thriving and beautiful container garden.
Let’s dive into the 12 best spillover plants you can grow in your container garden!
1. Petunias
Petunias are a classic choice for spillover plants, known for their vibrant colors and trailing habits. These sun-loving flowers come in a variety of hues, from soft pastels to bold purples, reds, and pinks. Petunias are perfect for hanging baskets and containers, where they will spill gracefully over the sides.
Care Tips: Petunias thrive in full sun and well-draining soil. Water them regularly but ensure the soil doesn’t stay too soggy. Deadheading spent flowers encourages continuous blooming throughout the season.
2. Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas)
Sweet potato vines are a fantastic option for adding dramatic, lush greenery to your container garden. Their heart-shaped leaves trail beautifully, creating a soft, flowing effect. The vines can grow in various colors, including green, purple, and bronze, allowing you to match them with different container styles.
Care Tips: Sweet potato vines thrive in full sun to partial shade. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. They grow quickly, so you may need to trim them back to maintain their shape and prevent them from overtaking other plants.
3. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Creeping Jenny is a versatile spillover plant with bright yellow-green foliage that adds a pop of color to any container garden. This perennial ground cover is perfect for containers where it can trail over the sides. It’s known for its rapid growth and ability to spread quickly, making it an ideal choice for a fast-growing, attractive ground cover.
Care Tips: Creeping Jenny thrives in full to partial shade. It prefers moist, well-draining soil. This plant is also relatively low maintenance, but be sure to cut it back in the winter to maintain its shape and health.
4. Fuchsia
Fuchsia is an eye-catching plant that offers beautiful, dangling flowers in shades of pink, purple, and red. These flowers are perfect for adding a bit of drama to your container garden. Fuchsia plants have a natural trailing growth habit, making them perfect for hanging baskets and containers with a spillover effect.
Care Tips: Fuchsia prefers partial shade, especially during the hottest part of the day. They need regular watering, but be cautious not to overwater. Deadhead the flowers regularly to encourage new blooms and keep the plant looking tidy.
5. Ivy (Hedera helix)
Ivy is an evergreen climbing and trailing plant that looks great in containers. It has dense, glossy leaves that create a lush, green cascade over the sides of your pots. Ivy is perfect for adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to your container garden.
Care Tips: Ivy grows well in full sun to partial shade and requires regular watering. It is drought-tolerant once established, but it’s best to keep the soil consistently moist during hot weather. Prune ivy to control its growth and prevent it from becoming too unruly.
6. Million Bells (Calibrachoa)
Million Bells is a trailing plant with small, petunia-like flowers that bloom in profusion. This plant is an excellent choice for container gardening because it creates a vibrant, cascading effect with its brightly colored flowers in shades of red, pink, purple, and yellow.
Care Tips: Million Bells thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. Water regularly but allow the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot. Pinch off dead flowers to encourage more blooms.
7. Lobelia
Lobelia is a charming, trailing plant that produces clusters of small blue, purple, or white flowers. Its delicate appearance makes it a popular choice for adding a soft, flowing touch to container gardens. Lobelia pairs well with other plants in hanging baskets or mixed containers.
Care Tips: Lobelia prefers cool weather and partial shade. Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid letting it become soggy. Deadhead the flowers regularly to keep the plant blooming throughout the season.
8. Verbena
Verbena is a hardy, sun-loving plant with vibrant clusters of flowers that spill over the edges of containers. It is available in a range of colors, including red, purple, pink, and white. Verbena’s trailing habit makes it perfect for hanging baskets or containers placed on a ledge.
Care Tips: Verbena thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. Water regularly but allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Prune back any leggy growth to encourage compact, bushier growth.
9. Trailing Rosemary
Rosemary is a fragrant herb that can also serve as a beautiful spillover plant. When allowed to grow freely in a container, it creates a trailing effect with its needle-like, fragrant leaves. Rosemary is an excellent choice for adding a touch of elegance and a pleasant aroma to your garden.
Care Tips: Rosemary requires full sun and well-draining soil. Water sparingly, as it prefers dry conditions once established. Prune regularly to maintain a neat, trailing shape.
10. Morning Glory (Ipomoea tricolor)
Morning Glories are fast-growing, trailing plants known for their large, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of blue, purple, and pink. These vines are perfect for adding a burst of color and drama to your container garden. They’re especially stunning when they cascade over the edges of hanging baskets or large containers.
Care Tips: Morning Glories prefer full sun and well-draining soil. They are drought-tolerant once established but need regular watering during dry spells. Pinch back the stems to encourage more branching and abundant flowers.
11. Caladium
Caladium is an ornamental plant known for its striking foliage in vibrant shades of pink, red, white, and green. It has a trailing habit, making it perfect for adding a burst of color and texture to container gardens. Caladiums are particularly striking when paired with other colorful plants.
Care Tips: Caladiums prefer partial to full shade and consistently moist, well-draining soil. They are sensitive to direct sunlight, which can scorch their leaves. Fertilize regularly to maintain the vibrancy of the foliage.
12. Trailing Pansies
Pansies are an ideal choice for spillover plants, thanks to their cheerful, colorful flowers and trailing growth habit. Pansies come in a variety of colors, including purple, yellow, orange, and white, and they’ll add a pop of color to your container garden.
Care Tips: Pansies prefer cool weather and partial to full sun. Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid overwatering. Remove faded flowers to promote continued blooming throughout the growing season.
Tips for Growing Spillover Plants in Containers
- Choose the Right Container: Make sure your container has adequate drainage holes to prevent water from accumulating at the bottom. Larger containers with ample space for roots work best for spillover plants.
- Use High-Quality Soil: Choose a well-draining potting mix that is rich in nutrients. For extra drainage, consider adding perlite or sand to your soil mix.
- Provide Proper Support: Some spillover plants may need support to prevent them from becoming too unruly. You can use stakes, trellises, or even let them spill freely, depending on your design.
- Water Regularly: Most spillover plants need consistent moisture, but be careful not to overwater. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again.
- Prune and Maintain: Regular pruning helps keep your spillover plants looking tidy and encourages bushier growth. Deadhead spent flowers to promote more blooms and maintain the plant’s health.
Conclusion
Spillover plants are a fantastic addition to any container garden, offering both beauty and versatility. Whether you’re growing flowers, herbs, or greenery, these plants will create a lush, flowing effect that enhances the visual appeal of your space. With the right care and attention, these trailing plants will transform your garden into a vibrant, cascading paradise. Choose a mix of these 12 best spillover plants to add color, texture, and elegance to your garden containers. Happy gardening!