Potted plants for home, balcony and garden

Potted plants outlive any bouquet and let you green a flat, balcony, terrace or even part of a garden without planting in the ground. The key is matching the plant to the conditions and getting watering right. Here is which potted plants suit indoors and outdoors, how to care for them and what to give as a gift.

Choose a plant in our potted plants section.

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What to choose

• Indoors — phalaenopsis orchids, peace lily, anthurium, ZZ plant, snake plant.
• Balcony — pelargoniums, petunias, calibrachoa, lavender, herbs.
• Garden and terrace — thuja and box in tubs, hydrangea, citrus and oleander in containers (brought indoors for winter).

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10 easy-care potted plants

• Snake plant
• ZZ plant
• Peace lily
• Spider plant
• Pothos (epipremnum)
• Weeping fig
• Monstera
• Aglaonema
• Pelargonium — for a sunny windowsill
• Succulents and cacti — for the brightest spot

Most of them forgive irregular watering and suit an office or a first-time plant owner.

Care basics

• A pot with drainage. A hole in the base and a layer of clay pebbles save roots from waterlogging.
• Water by the soil. Water when the top layer has dried; most plants need less in winter.
• Light. Flowering plants need more light than foliage plants.
• Feeding — in spring and summer during active growth.
• Overwintering outdoor pots. Roots in pots freeze more easily than in the ground: insulate tubs or move plants to a cool room.

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A plant as a gift

A flowering plant is a long-lasting alternative to a bouquet. Add a short care note. If the recipient has a cat, choose safe species — see Plants toxic and safe for cats.

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For a home garden corner see Home conservatory, and for herbs see Rosemary in a pot.

FAQ

Why are my houseplant’s leaves turning yellow?

Usually overwatering, lack of light or dry winter air. Check soil moisture and drainage.

When should I repot?

Usually in spring, once roots fill the pot; choose a new pot 2–3 cm wider.

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

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