Fortunately, there's an easy fix. Decorating the patio with potted plants is a quick and affordable way to turn your yard into your new favorite outdoor escape.
There’s no need to start drafting up an expensive landscaping plan—check out our guide to learn everything you need to know about potted plants for the patio instead. From sourcing pots to choosing the right plants for your climate, our experts are here to help!
Soothing stones are a great match with a cluster of succulents
How to Decorate Your Patio with Potted Plants
If you’ve perused the local nursery, you know how easy it is to get overwhelmed by all the options. How do you care for these plants? Which type of container do they need? Should you choose a color scheme?
Breathe in. Breathe out. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to get you started:
1. Assess Your Gardening Skills (and Be Realistic!)
Okay, so not everyone can have a garden as spectacular as Martha Stewart or Ina Garten. It just ain’t happening! If you’re a gardening novice, you definitely don’t want to get too far out of your comfort zone when it comes to potted plants. Just remember to be realistic. How much time do you have to spend on gardening? Will you be leaving town often? Who will take care of the plants when you’re gone?
2. Research Plants
Now that you have a vision of how much time and energy you want to invest in your garden, it’s time to research plants that will thrive in your backyard. Set yourself up for success by considering:
The amount of light your patio gets.
The types of plants that grow in your area.
The season and climate.
Offer your new plants a sunny spot on some hand-made shelves
3. Design Your Space
No need to get all professional with this step—just put pen to paper and come up with a rough idea of how you want to set up your potted plants. (We’ll expand on this topic in the next section!)
4. Invest in Containers and Plants
You’ve done your due diligence, and now it’s time to put it all into action. Head to the gardening store, hardware store, or nursery to pick up the supplies you need to create a patio oasis. Don’t forget to grab:
Pots
Soil
Fertilizer (as needed)
Plants
Supplies for the watering system (watering can, hose, etc.)
Saucers for collecting water under the pots
Gardening gloves
Spade or shovel
5. Pot Your Plants
Brace yourself. Things might get a little messy! And, you know what? That’s kind of what makes it fun. After all, when was the last time you got to play in the dirt?
So dive in, feel the soil beneath your fingernails, and get to potting. Remember to shovel in several inches of soil before transferring the plant into the pot, and then cover the plant with more soil (without covering any branches.) Then soak the plants thoroughly with water when you’re finished.
Potted Plant Design Tips
Struggling with your potted plant design plan? We’re on it. Decorating with plants can be surprisingly difficult when staring at a blank patio, but these tips will help you put it all together like a pro.
Your green thumb will love bringing plants together in larger containers
1. Group Containers
One stand-alone plant will look a little sad, so give it some company by grouping containers together to create a more layered, pulled-together look. Choose different sizes and heights to make it more visually interesting. (Not sure when to stop? Shoot for an odd number of containers, like three or five, in one grouping.)
2. Use Plant Stands
Some stores don’t have a lot of variety when it comes to pots, but you can still create interest using plant stands to display pots at different levels. Even crates, stools, and chairs can work as a plant stand. Live a little and throw out that rulebook!
These recycled cans are a fun project and can be organized in a variety of designs
3. Choose a Color Scheme
We love rainbows too, but a psychedelic array of flowers rarely looks professional. So, exercise some restraint and choose one or two colors, plus an accent color. You could even find flowers in varying shades of the same color for a cohesive, calming look.
Grow some delicious potted nasturtium flowers, chives or even roses to add some color to your summer salads
4. Consider Your Needs
Plants can be more than something pretty to look at: they can create privacy, enhance your cooking (hello, fresh basil), attract wildlife, or create shade. So, what else do you want from these generous little plant friends? Knowing your goals for the patio can help you narrow in on the best plant design.
You can always turn up the ambience in your garden patio with a round stone fire table.
5. Add Accent Pieces
Potted plants are lovely on their own, but they’ll provide even more enjoyment when you add some accent pieces: seating, a fire table, an outdoor rug—you get the idea. The more functional your patio, the more time you’ll spend soaking up the beautiful view.
See You Out Back!
Soon you’ll be basking in the beauty of your potted plants. But first, make sure you take your patio to its full potential. Head to RST Brands to find all the furniture and accessories you need to make your patio everything you’ve imagined. Whether you’re looking for a full patio dining set or a small accent table, RST Brands has you covered.
