Plant combination ideas for container gardens

You can grow almost anything in containers, expanding your options far beyond what fits in your backyard. To take your container garden to the next level, choose combinations of plants that add visual interest and pair well together. Whether you want an edible container, a purely ornamental one, or even a pot to place indoors, these combinations will have you inspired to create your own.

1. Edible containers

Edible containers offer a fun way to combine plants that not only grow well together, but also can be enjoyed in a meal together!

Pizza pot: cherry tomatoes, basil, oregano

If there is any food that is almost universally loved, it’s pizza. And nothing beats the freshness and taste of a homemade pizza, especially when all the ingredients come straight from the garden.

Luckily, you can grow everything you need for a show-stopping pizza sauce in the same container.

Start with a few cherry tomato seedlings, filling in with basil and oregano for extra height. As the herb flavors are quite strong, you don’t need many seedlings in one container – the main focus is the tomatoes.

Culinary herbs: rosemary, cilantro, mint

Herbs have so many uses in the kitchen, it’s no wonder they are the first thing people want to grow in their edible patch. To add even more variety to your kitchen routine, pair herbs like rosemary, coriander and mint that can be used in many ways.

Rosemary is great for flavoring meat dishes, but the woody stems also work well for skewers or even in earthy beverages. Cilantro has an unmistakable flavor in the leaves, even stronger when you save the seeds and grind them into a powder. And mint adds a touch of freshness to any dish – savory or sweet.

As mint has a tendency to take over containers, keep it inside its own pot buried in the container. This prevents competition and keeps all other plants in the pot happy.

2. Ornamental containers

Ornamental mixed containers are perfect for brightening up a doorway, porch, patio, or deck. Here are some fantastic combos to try.

Bright and uplifting color: dahlias, petunias, daisies

For lovers of color, you can’t go wrong pairing dahlias, petunias and daisies. These plants bloom prolifically, producing a summer container overflowing with flowers.

Choose dwarf dahlia varieties to keep your containers compact and manage space. Also look for petunias and daisies that flower closer to summer for a transition of blooms across the seasons.

If you’re looking for a harmonious color palette, choose varieties all in the same hue. Yellow and orange work particularly well for these plants. But, for even brighter color and variety, choose options with complementary colors.

Cottage garden look: roses, geraniums, alyssum

Cottage gardens have recently seen a revival in gardening trends. Although they have been a staple for many years, they are back in fashion thanks to their softness and less manicured look.

Unfortunately, there are many gardens that don’t have space for an overflowing cottage garden. But, you can recreate the entire look within a single pot with a couple of standout plants.

Roses are a must-have, with many options to choose from ideal for containers. Taller roses are complemented well by soft geraniums below, along with cascading sweet alyssum to fill in any smaller gaps. Combined, they complete the cottage garden look so sought-after.

3. Houseplants

You can also combine plants indoors! While houseplants are usually potted up in their own planters, there is no reason you can’t put a few in the same pot, as long as they like the same growing conditions in terms of water, light, and humidity.

Tropical delight: Alocasia, philodendron, peperomia

Many houseplant staples come from the tropics. They enjoy the same temperature and humidity we do indoors, and tend to be more low-light tolerant thanks to their native habitats.

That also means they make great pairings in containers as they enjoy the same conditions.

To add height and variety, try pairing classic heartleaf philodendrons with taller Peperomia species. The vines can be left to cascade over the sides of your chosen pot, making space for the plants above. For added drama, pop one of the smaller Alocasia species in the center to allow their leaves to hover over the top of the pot.

Succulent heaven: Snake plant, kalanchoe, string of hearts

Succulents don’t typically make great houseplants. They generally prefer drier air and need more sun than other houseplants. However, there are a few known to tolerate lower sunlight levels than usual, also pairing perfectly in a single pot.

Start with tall snake plants in the center to add height to the pot. Around the base, dot a few kalanchoes that will add a pop of color when in flower.

Finally, finish off by planting string of hearts vines on the edges to hang over the sides of the pot. The shallow root system won’t interfere with the other plants, preventing competition.

Tips for potting up containers

When planting these combinations together, follow these essential tips:

• Make sure the container has drainage holes and is deep enough for the roots of your chosen plants.
• Use a high-quality potting mix, preferably mixing in your own amendments tailored to your selection for the best possible growth.
• Ignore typical spacing guides. Plants can be placed much closer together in containers to completely fill out any possible gaps.
• Match their needs. When picking any variety or coming up without your own combinations, make sure the plants have the same needs so one doesn’t survive at the expense of the other.
• If you choose any vigorous growers that don’t play nice with other plants, such as mint, keep them confined to their own pot buried under the soil.