Spillers trail over the rims of the pot and have cascading or weeping growth habit.
1. Sweet Allysum
Botanical Name: Alyssum maritimum
USDA Zones: 5-9
Allysum doesn’t trail but beautifully flows over the top of the planter and has a honey-like fragrance. It does well in cool climates.
Here are Stunning Plants For Walkways
2. Sweet Potato Vine
Botanical Name: Ipomea batatas
USDA Zones: 9-11
The oak-like, heart-shaped chartreuse to almost black foliage is a garden staple as container plants or ground covers.
3. Million Bells
Botanical Name: Calibrachoa
USDA Zones: 9-11
Calibrachoa offers small delicate, colorful blooms with a trailing habit and offers hundred of flowers during summer. The plant is related to petunias.
4. Ivy Geranium
Botanical Name: Pelargonium peltatum
USDA Zones: 9-11
This classic container variety produces small blooms in an upright form while spilling over the planter’s borders. It can withstand heat and small periods of drought very well.
Here are the best tips to help Geraniums bloom!
5. Licorice Plant
Botanical Name: Helichrysum petiolare
USDA Zones: 9-11
It features felt-like small foliage and comes in soft blue-gray or variegated varieties. The stems topple down, looking absolutely beautiful in containers.
6. String of Pearls
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Botanical Name: Senecio rowleyanus
USDA Zones: 9-12
The fleshy, pearl-like, spherical light-green foliage of this charming succulent looks great in hanging planters. It prefers partial sunlight away from scorching afternoon sunlight.
Check out our article on trailing succulents here
7. Calico Kitten
Botanical Name: Crassula pellucida ‘Variegata’
USDA Zones: 9-11
The variegated foliage has a colorful blend of green, purple, and cream hue on the leaf surface and pink on the margins. This variety looks great in hanging baskets, pots, or even as the ground cover.
8. Parrot’s Beak
Botanical Name: Lotus berthelotii
USDA Zones: 10-12
You can plant this tropical evergreen both as a houseplant and as an annual in pots. The common name is derived from the parrot-like shape of the flowers.
9. Nasturtium
Botanical Name: Tropaeolum
USDA Zones: 9-11
Nasturtium has lily pad-like foliage and beautiful, bright blooms. It performs well in cool climates when kept well-watered and flowers all season.
Check out our article on growing Nasturtium in containers here
10. Little Missy
Botanical Name: Sedum ‘Little Missy’
USDA Zones: 5-9
This sedum forms tiny rosettes of variegated green leaves with beautiful pale green and pink margins. You can grow it in small pots due to the shallow root system.
Have a look at the best types of sedum here
11. Asparagus Fern
Botanical Name: Asparagus aethiopicus
USDA Zones: 9-11
This fern-like plant features arching plumes of tightly packed needle-like foliage that have a soft and delicate feel. You can grow it as a houseplant in containers.
12. Creeping Inch Plant
Botanical Name: Callisia repens
USDA Zones: 10a-12b
Also known as turtle vine or Bolivian Jew, this succulent features fuzzy and soft leaves that are green on the upper side and purple below.
13. Variegated Ground Ivy
ahietaharju
Botanical Name: Glechoma hederacea ‘Variegata’
USDA Zones: 4a
The unusual shape of pale green leaves gives this spiller an interesting appearance while they droop on the trailing stems.
Have a look at the best flowering Ground Covers here
14. Variegated Fuchsia
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Botanical Name: Fuchsia ‘Tom West’
USDA Zones: 8-11
The striking color combination of yellow and green striped leaves with fuchsia pink blooms look gorgeous in hanging planters.
15. Trailing Pothos
Botanical Name: Epipremnum aureum
USDA Zones: 10-12
Also known as devil’s ivy, the heart-shaped glossy green leaves with yellow or cream variegation. It is very easy to maintain and grow.
Learn about Pothos Plant Care here
16. Heart-Leaf Philodendron
Botanical Name: Philodendron hederaceum
USDA Zones: 11-12
This beautiful trailing plant with heart-shaped green leaves spills delicately over the rims of hanging baskets and containers.
17. Wandering Jew
Botanical Name: Tradescantia (Genus)
USDA Zones: 9-12
Tradescantia offers charming trailing plants with colorful variegated leave. Have a look at the best varieties here.
18. Spider Plant
Botanical Name: Chlorophytum comosum
USDA Zones: 9-11
This fast-growing plant with baby plantlets hangs beautifully from the container’s edges. It also improves air quality.
Want more Spider Plant Babies? Click here
Best Thrillers
Thrillers play the role of a tall, bold, and big focal point in your pot with an eye-catching vertical statement. Tall ornamental plants are a great choice for this genre. Spiky flowering plants can also be used.
19. Bromeliad
Botanical Name: Bromeliaceae
USDA Zones: 9-10
Bromeliads offer beautiful variegated foliage with gorgeous colorful flower bracts that steal the show. They are an ideal choice for office desks and shelf tops.
Here are the best bromeliads you can grow
20. Silver Shield
Botanical Name: Plectranthus argentatus ‘Silver Shield’
USDA Zones: 10-11
This fuzzy thriller can achieve a good height of up to 3-4 feet with a spread of 2-3 feet. ‘Silver Shield’ is an easy-growing annual that grows best in partial shade.
21. New Zealand Flax
Botanical Name: Phormium
USDA Zones: 9-11
The sword-like leaves can be a focal point in containers. The eye-catching narrow, upright, dark red-brown foliage can grow up to 2-3 feet tall.
Learn How to Grow Flax here
22. Umbrella Grass
Botanical Name: Cyperus alternifolius
USDA Zones: 9a-11b
The tall stems of this plant have beautiful leaflets, which resemble an open umbrella with pointy ends, giving it a grass-like appearance.
23. Purple Fountain Grass
Botanical Name: Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’
USDA Zones: 9-10
This ornamental grass looks great as a thriller in pots. The burgundy-purple leaves add texture to the burgundy-tinted seedheads.
24. Coleus
florensis
Botanical Name: Solenostemon ‘Henna’
USDA Zones: 10-11
The toothed leaves display shades of chartreuse with diverse burgundy undersides. It can grow up to 2-3 feet tall with a spread of 1-2 feet.
Check out our article on the best types of Coleus here
25. Millet-Jester
panamseed
Botanical Name: Pennisetum glaucum ‘Jester’
USDA Zones: 2-11
‘Jester’ can bring a stunning vertical element to containers with its neon green foliage that slowly becomes bronze and burgundy-purple.
26. Yucca
plantcaretoday
Botanical Name: Yucca elephantipes
USDA Zones: 5-11
This dwarf tree resembles a miniature palm tree and grows slowly indoors. It does best in 2-3 hours of direct morning sunlight.
Here are Different Types of Yucca Plant Varieties
27. Madagascar Dragon Tree
Botanical Name: Dracaena marginata
USDA Zones: 10-12
It exhibits red-purple leaves on straight slim stems. This plant is admired for its low demands, but it can not withstand low light.
Have a look at the best Dracaena varieties here
28. Canna Lily
Botanical Name: Canna indica
USDA Zones: 8-11
Canna lily showcases stunning banana-like foliage and flowers in the lustrous colors of red, yellow, and orange that contrast beautifully with its green leaves.
29. Ornamental Grass
USDA Zones: 9-10
You can add texture and architectural appeal to your container with ornamental grasses! Pick your favorite from this list.
30. Pink Passion
ristanen
Botanical Name: Cordyline ‘Pink Passion’
USDA Zones: 5-9
The sword-like arching leaves in brilliant pink-purple hue are adorned with bold pink edges, creating beautiful scenery. Check out more beautiful Ti plant varieties here.
Here are the Best Pink and Blue Flowers
32. Caladium
Botanical Name: Candidum Junior Caladium
USDA Zones: 9-10
This lance-leaved caladium cultivar has exquisite white large leaves patterned in dark green veins. It is easy to grow and maintain.
Check out the Most Beautiful Types of Caladiums here
33. Snake Plant
Botanical Name: Sansevieria trifasciata
USDA Zones: 9-11
The straight, sword-like leaves with a thick texture and variegated leaves can be a focal point of your pot with its upright growing pattern. Check the best varieties here.
34. Peace Lily
Botanical Name: Spathiphyllum ‘Allison’
USDA Zones: 10-11
The green foliage with white bracts looks serene and stands tall in a container. Have a look at its best varieties here.
36. Aloe
Botanical Name: Aloe Barbadensis
USDA Zones: 8-11
The aloe genus includes many varieties that can be used as a thriller plant in your container. Choose your favorite from this list.
Find How Often Do You Water Aloe Vera Plants? here
Best Fillers
Fillers are covering plants fill the gaps by spreading between the spillers and thrillers.
37. Toffee Twist Sedge
Botanical Name: Carex flagellifera ‘Toffee Twist’
USDA Zones: 7a-11
The textural appeal and stunning look of this plant, with tinted bronze grass-like leaves, play the role of filler perfectly. It can grow up to 2-4 feet tall and wide.
38. Pentas
justmystylelandscapes
Botanical Name: Pentas lanceolata ‘Butterfly Deep Rose’
USDA Zones: 10-11
‘Butterfly Deep Rose’ grows sparkling flowers all summer long, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. It has a foot-long spread and grows 1-2 feet tall.
39. Diamond Frost Euphorbia
Botanical Name: Euphorbia ‘Inneuphdia’
USDA Zones: 10-11
This easy-to-grow annual prefers sun but accommodates well to light shade too. You can expect a storm of flowers all summer long!
40. Lantana Luscious
provenwinners
Botanical Name: Lantana Luscious ‘Citrus Blend’
USDA Zones: 9-11
‘Citrus Blend’ is a butterfly catcher wherever it is grown! The flowers on this tropical plant change color with time, and you will get a multicolor floral carnival in your planters.
Here’s all you need to know about growing Lantana
41. Corkscrew Rush
living4media
Botanical Name: Juncus spiralis
USDA Zones: 4-9
This filler plant shows off a blue-green tint to the planters with exquisite textural appeal. It forms a mix of straight and twisted stems that gives a peculiar appearance to containers!
42. Silver Dust
Botanical Name: Senecio cineraria
USDA Zones: 8-11
It is a perfect choice for pots with silver-blue lacy foliage that creates an excellent frame for all types of tall focal points. Dusty miller can manage some shade and dry conditions.
Check out some awesome Senecio varieties here
43. Kong Jr
Botanical Name: Scarlet Coleus ‘Kong Jr’
USDA Zones: 10-11
This beautiful coleus displays a fusion of burgundy, pink, and green in the pots. The plant is best for shade and also looks amazing on a sunny spot in cool summers.
44. Molten Lava Oxalis
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Botanical Name: Oxalis vulcanicola ‘Molten Lava’
USDA Zones: 9-11
The striking deep orange and bronze leaves turn golden green with time, and yellow flowers highlight the plant during all seasons. In shaded areas, the foliage becomes chartreuse, while in the sun, it shines in an orange hue.
Here are the Best Oxalis Varieties You Must Grow
45. Impatiens
Botanical Name: Impatiens walleriana
USDA Zones: 10-11
This sun-tolerant compact cultivar forms dwarf multi-colored mounded blooms during spring and summer.
Check more varieties and series of Impatiens here
46. Gaura
Botanical Name: Gaura lindheimeri ‘Sparkle White’
USDA Zones: 5-9
This beautiful filler can bring an elegant look to containers. It can grow up to 1-2 feet tall and wide. The plant’s slender stems hold several delicate blooms tinged in white-pink blush.
47. Persian Shield
Botanical Name: Strobilanthes dyeranus
USDA Zones: 8-11
This tropical plant is popular for its purple leaves with a metallic sheen; it is commonly grown as a houseplant and is also used as a great annual outdoor plant.
48. Purple Waffle Plant
Botanical Name: Hemigraphis alternata
USDA Zones: 10-11
The colorful leaves have a wrinkled appearance that resembles the texture of a waffle, hence the name.
Source: Balconygardenweb.com
