Top 10 Easy-Care Plants for Containers
We ask a lot of potted plants – they need to be hardworking, resilient and attractive. Here are some of the easiest to keep that way
When sipping cocktails on the deck, you don’t want your enjoyment spoiled by gazing at a bunch of miserable-looking potted plants. Container plants have to look good all year round as they often take centre stage in our gardens, whether they’re used to decorate outdoor living spaces, as focal points, or to mark steps, entrances and other strategic spots.
But good looks alone are not enough. Plants in pots also have to cope with restricted space for their roots as well as soil that can dry out and leach nutrients quickly. From hot, sunny courtyards and shady side yards to windy roof gardens, life can be tough for the plants we grow in containers. Luckily, there are some that will rise to the occasion.
But good looks alone are not enough. Plants in pots also have to cope with restricted space for their roots as well as soil that can dry out and leach nutrients quickly. From hot, sunny courtyards and shady side yards to windy roof gardens, life can be tough for the plants we grow in containers. Luckily, there are some that will rise to the occasion.
2. Cycads
Cycads are ancient plants prized for their architectural shape, which is displayed to its best when planted in a container. Sago palm (Cycas revoluta), with its distinctive arching fronds, is the most commonly grown cycad. It revels in hot locations and will cope with dry soil, but does better with regular watering. The slow-growing sago palm will eventually form a trunk but this can take many years. Plants are long lived and will keep their good looks with a minimum of fuss.
TIP: Use a free-draining succulent mix when potting as cycads hate wet feet.
Cycads are ancient plants prized for their architectural shape, which is displayed to its best when planted in a container. Sago palm (Cycas revoluta), with its distinctive arching fronds, is the most commonly grown cycad. It revels in hot locations and will cope with dry soil, but does better with regular watering. The slow-growing sago palm will eventually form a trunk but this can take many years. Plants are long lived and will keep their good looks with a minimum of fuss.
TIP: Use a free-draining succulent mix when potting as cycads hate wet feet.
3. Cordyline
Also known as cabbage trees, cordylines have an iconic sculptural form that can be seen throughout New Zealand. While the tree forms are suitable only for very large containers, new smaller cultivars such as Red Fountain that reach only a metre or two in height are now the preferred option for pots in many gardens. Frost-tolerant cordylines like a sunny spot, and good drainage is essential.
TIP: Soil should be kept moist but allowed to dry out between waterings.
Beginner’s guide to potted gardening
Also known as cabbage trees, cordylines have an iconic sculptural form that can be seen throughout New Zealand. While the tree forms are suitable only for very large containers, new smaller cultivars such as Red Fountain that reach only a metre or two in height are now the preferred option for pots in many gardens. Frost-tolerant cordylines like a sunny spot, and good drainage is essential.
TIP: Soil should be kept moist but allowed to dry out between waterings.
Beginner’s guide to potted gardening
4. Poor Knights lily
Adapting to the hot, rocky cliffs of the two offshore New Zealand islands where it originates has given the Poor Knights lily (Xeronema callistemon) a unique ability to grow in very dry conditions. This makes it an ideal container plant for sunny decks, courtyards and roof gardens. Potting mix must be very free-draining, pots should not be too large for the plant, and they need to be kept off the ground in winter so they don’t take in water from below. Feed occasionally with a seaweed-based fertiliser, and protect plants from frost.
TIP: Poor Knights lily will often flower better when slightly root-bound in pots.
Adapting to the hot, rocky cliffs of the two offshore New Zealand islands where it originates has given the Poor Knights lily (Xeronema callistemon) a unique ability to grow in very dry conditions. This makes it an ideal container plant for sunny decks, courtyards and roof gardens. Potting mix must be very free-draining, pots should not be too large for the plant, and they need to be kept off the ground in winter so they don’t take in water from below. Feed occasionally with a seaweed-based fertiliser, and protect plants from frost.
TIP: Poor Knights lily will often flower better when slightly root-bound in pots.
5. Frangipani
A star plant for warm gardens, frangipani (Plumeria) fills the air with the delicious scent of its flowers during summer. Growing frangipani in pots is ideal for those in colder areas as plants can be moved to shelter when winter arrives. It’s also the best solution for people who don’t like its leafless, dormant period. Soil should be fertile with plenty of moisture for plants to thrive, but they’ll cope with dry conditions too.
TIP: Frangipani will flower better if sheltered from strong winds.
A star plant for warm gardens, frangipani (Plumeria) fills the air with the delicious scent of its flowers during summer. Growing frangipani in pots is ideal for those in colder areas as plants can be moved to shelter when winter arrives. It’s also the best solution for people who don’t like its leafless, dormant period. Soil should be fertile with plenty of moisture for plants to thrive, but they’ll cope with dry conditions too.
TIP: Frangipani will flower better if sheltered from strong winds.
6. Box
It has been grown as a container plant for centuries, and for good reason. Box (Buxus) looks stunning clipped as a topiary as shown, and is hardy, versatile and tolerant of poor soil and shady conditions. There are many different box cultivars to choose from, with the Korean and Japanese forms of Buxus microphylla better able to cope with the warm, humid conditions in many parts of Australia and New Zealand. Potted box plants need to be well watered in summer with ideally some shade from afternoon sun.
TIP: To keep plants in good condition, liquid feed every month during summer and add fresh potting compost every spring.
It has been grown as a container plant for centuries, and for good reason. Box (Buxus) looks stunning clipped as a topiary as shown, and is hardy, versatile and tolerant of poor soil and shady conditions. There are many different box cultivars to choose from, with the Korean and Japanese forms of Buxus microphylla better able to cope with the warm, humid conditions in many parts of Australia and New Zealand. Potted box plants need to be well watered in summer with ideally some shade from afternoon sun.
TIP: To keep plants in good condition, liquid feed every month during summer and add fresh potting compost every spring.
7. Aeonium
Succulents are among the toughest plants you can get, with many species doing well in pots. This easy-care succulent for containers is Aeonium (centre foreground), a genus with around 35 different species. Some grow to more than a metre high, while others are stemless and hug the ground. Most have a distinctive rosette form with leaves ranging in colour from light green to the spectacular dark red of Aeonium arboreum ‘Schwarzkopf’.
Aeoniums thrive in containers with good drainage, sunny conditions and shelter from frost. They need little maintenance apart from trimming stems that die down after flowering.
TIP: Aeoniums grow easily from cuttings. Simply slice off a rosette, leave to dry for a few days, then place in a pot with succulent potting mix.
Succulents are among the toughest plants you can get, with many species doing well in pots. This easy-care succulent for containers is Aeonium (centre foreground), a genus with around 35 different species. Some grow to more than a metre high, while others are stemless and hug the ground. Most have a distinctive rosette form with leaves ranging in colour from light green to the spectacular dark red of Aeonium arboreum ‘Schwarzkopf’.
Aeoniums thrive in containers with good drainage, sunny conditions and shelter from frost. They need little maintenance apart from trimming stems that die down after flowering.
TIP: Aeoniums grow easily from cuttings. Simply slice off a rosette, leave to dry for a few days, then place in a pot with succulent potting mix.
8. Echeveria
One of the most eye-catching group of succulents, and therefore popular, is this frilly leaved Echeveria. This group of hybrids comes in an ever-growing range of gorgeous leaf colours and forms. Native to Mexico and nearby areas, echeveria are hardy to mild frost if the potting mix is kept dry. Like most succulents, they don’t do well in very wet conditions, and these ones like a little shade from hot afternoon sun.
TIP: In extremely cold areas you need to provide shelter for echeveria, but make sure they still receive plenty of bright light.
DIYs to show off your succulents
One of the most eye-catching group of succulents, and therefore popular, is this frilly leaved Echeveria. This group of hybrids comes in an ever-growing range of gorgeous leaf colours and forms. Native to Mexico and nearby areas, echeveria are hardy to mild frost if the potting mix is kept dry. Like most succulents, they don’t do well in very wet conditions, and these ones like a little shade from hot afternoon sun.
TIP: In extremely cold areas you need to provide shelter for echeveria, but make sure they still receive plenty of bright light.
DIYs to show off your succulents
9. Bromeliads
Most bromeliads are epiphytes, meaning they gather moisture and nutrients from the air and rain, not through their roots. Many, such as this giant bromeliad Alcantarea imperialis ‘Rubra’ also have a central urn that traps water and insects to nourish the plant. If growing in a pot, all you need to do is keep the urn full of water and position the bromeliad in a spot that suits – some species prefer more shade than others. Anchor plants firmly in a bed of bark, pumice, gravel or any other free-draining medium inside the pot.
TIP: To give bromeliads an extra boost, liquid feed occasionally with a diluted organic or fish-based fertiliser.
Most bromeliads are epiphytes, meaning they gather moisture and nutrients from the air and rain, not through their roots. Many, such as this giant bromeliad Alcantarea imperialis ‘Rubra’ also have a central urn that traps water and insects to nourish the plant. If growing in a pot, all you need to do is keep the urn full of water and position the bromeliad in a spot that suits – some species prefer more shade than others. Anchor plants firmly in a bed of bark, pumice, gravel or any other free-draining medium inside the pot.
TIP: To give bromeliads an extra boost, liquid feed occasionally with a diluted organic or fish-based fertiliser.
10. New Zealand flax
The architectural form, stunning leaf colours and toughness of flax (Phormium) has made the many cultivars of this New Zealand native hugely popular with gardeners around the world. Flaxes love sunny and windy conditions, and need little maintenance apart from the removal of dead leaves. They vary tremendously in size and habit (weeping or upright), so check plants carefully to make sure you have the right variety for the pot you want to use.
TIP: To get the best from potted flax, position containers in a spot with some air movement. And don’t let plants get too wet or dry.
TELL US
What have you grown successfully in pots? Share your tips in the Comments section.
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The architectural form, stunning leaf colours and toughness of flax (Phormium) has made the many cultivars of this New Zealand native hugely popular with gardeners around the world. Flaxes love sunny and windy conditions, and need little maintenance apart from the removal of dead leaves. They vary tremendously in size and habit (weeping or upright), so check plants carefully to make sure you have the right variety for the pot you want to use.
TIP: To get the best from potted flax, position containers in a spot with some air movement. And don’t let plants get too wet or dry.
TELL US
What have you grown successfully in pots? Share your tips in the Comments section.
MORE
Tiny Pot Plants Trending for All the Right Reasons
8 Ways to Use Pot Plants to Your Advantage
10 Easy Edibles to Put Into Pots
Crucifix orchids (Epidendrum) will flower all year round outside in warm, frost-free gardens. Flower colours include bright cerise, orange, pink, mauve and white. Like most orchids and bromeliads, they are epiphytes and are best potted into bark, gravel, pumice or any free-draining mix. Tolerant of both sun and shade, they’re regarded as the easiest orchids to grow and will eventually become large specimen plants.
TIP: The tall, cane-like stems of crucifix orchids form aerial roots, which allows you to break pieces off to start new plants if desired.