9 Vibrant Sun-Loving Plants to Grow in Your Planter Boxes
If you have sunny outdoor spaces, planter boxes are a fantastic way to showcase vibrant plants that thrive in bright conditions.
These 9 sun-loving plants are perfect for growing in planter boxes, adding color and life to your garden or patio.
From cheerful annuals to resilient perennials, these plants will flourish in full sunlight, creating a stunning display that enhances your outdoor area.
Explore these options to find the perfect sun-loving plants for your planter boxes and enjoy a beautiful, lively garden.
Sedum
Sedum brings life to late summer gardens, thriving in zones 4 through 9 with its blooms arriving just as other plants begin to fade. Its thick, succulent leaves create a lush, resilient ground cover that attracts pollinators, bringing vitality and a hint of color to your outdoor space.
With easy maintenance, sedum offers long-lasting beauty and charm.
Calibrachoa
Calibrachoa shines in zones 9 through 11 with a generous bloom from spring through fall. Its trailing vines can grow up to two feet, spilling over planters with vibrant flowers in shades of pink, violet, blue, and even bronze.
Known for their resilience and color variety, calibrachoa plants add a cascading beauty to any container or garden bed, creating a charming display.
Salvia
Salvia, ideal for zones 5 through 9, reaches up to two feet in height, producing pale yellow, two-lipped flowers that bloom in late summer and early fall. Its tall, bushy growth is visually captivating and adds depth to any garden arrangement.
Salvia’s fragrant leaves attract bees and hummingbirds, making it a lively addition to your space.
Gomphrena
Gomphrena, a versatile option for zones 2 through 11, grows up to two feet and brings a delicate, globe-like bloom that endures from early summer until the first frost. Its branching stems are adorned with vibrant flower heads, adding a cheerful splash of color.
Known for its durability, gomphrena offers an extended bloom period that livens up any landscape.
Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
Ornamental sweet potato vine thrives in zones 8b to 11, quickly spreading from planters with its colorful leaves that range from deep purple to lime green. This vine adds a striking, trailing effect to any garden arrangement, creating a lush, tropical look.
Its fast-growing nature makes it ideal for adding immediate impact, filling out spaces with minimal care.
Phlox
Phlox, suited for zones 4 through 8, grows up to four feet, producing terminal clusters of six- to eight-inch blooms that add height and elegance. Its summer to early fall bloom period brings continuous interest to the garden.
Known for its sweet fragrance and pollinator appeal, phlox offers both beauty and biodiversity to any landscape.
Firecracker Plant
Firecracker plant, flourishing in zones 8 to 11, reaches up to four feet and delights with a consistent bloom throughout the year. Its tubular red and yellow flowers resemble small fireworks, making it a visually striking choice for sunny areas.
With minimal care, this plant adds a bold, tropical touch that attracts hummingbirds, creating a lively garden corner.
Verbena
Verbena, available in numerous varieties suited for zones 7 through 9, offers a stunning display of blooms during summer and fall. Known for its rich colors and dense flowering, it transforms spaces with ease, creating a lasting impression.
Each variety brings unique color blends, enhancing the garden with texture and variety.
Lantana
Lantana, a vibrant shrub for zones 11 and 12, produces clusters of five-lobed flowers in eye-catching colors like red, yellow, and purple. Each cluster can span up to two inches, filling gardens with vibrant color and attracting butterflies.
Its ability to thrive in warm climates makes lantana a beloved addition for those looking to add a burst of color to their outdoor space.