This post shows you plants to grow that love full sun!
Are you tired of battling the extreme summer heat when it comes to your container garden?
It’s hard enough watering a traditional garden but with a contained environment in pots, the soil can dry out even faster.
Instead of trying to water your garden multiple times a day, why not try growing plants in containers that thrive in the full sun, instead?
Tips for Growing Container Plants in Full Sun
With a little bit of research, planning, and observation, you can have a blooming and healthy container garden that thrives all summer long.
- Choose the Right Container. Opt for lightweight containers made of plastic, resin, or fabric to make moving them around your mobile home easier to move into shady areas on extra hot days.
- Group Plants in Threes. Arrange containers in clusters or groups to increase humidity and moisture among plants. Grouping plants with similar water and sun requirements together also makes maintenance more manageable.
- Be Proactive. Use mulch like dead leaves or an added layer of compost to ensure your plants hold moisture and reduce the need for frequent watering.
24 Beautiful Container-Friendly Plants That Love Full Sun
1. Marigolds
These vibrant annuals are not only strikingly beautiful but many gardeners swear these flowers repel pests with their strong scent. Colors vary from deep maroons and reds through sunny orange and yellow!
Tips:
- Use dwarf varieties in pots or borders while taller varieties are better for in-ground planting.
- You can buy these at the store or start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date!
2. Petunias
Petunias are an annual favorite! With colorful and trailing blooms, petunias are great for adding a pop of color to a balcony space. These are convenient to hang in baskets.
Plant Care Tips:
- Pinch back plants after the first blooms to encourage branching and healthy flowering all summer!
3. Zinnias
Hot weather and Zinnias go together. Easy to grow from seed, zinnias come in a variety of colors and sizes. Watch them adapt and bloom profusely and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.
- They tolerate hot sun and don’t attract unwanted pests to your garden!
4. Geraniums
These classic flowering plants come in a range of colors with heart-shaped foliage you’ll easily fall in love with. They are known for their drought tolerance, making them ideal for containers in full sun.
Tips:
- If it gets too hot, you may want to move them to the east side of your home to catch the morning light with shade in the evenings.
- Plant in well-drained soil but do not let the soil dry out. Pick off faded flowers to keep the top-quality ones blooming!
5. Cosmos
Cosmos does great in sunny locations but can tolerate shade if needed. These daisy-like flowers come in pink, white, and purple, blooming prolifically in full sun.
6. Verbena
This herb is perfect for cascading over the edges of window boxes. Verbena produces clusters of small, fragrant flowers and thrives in full sun with regular watering.
Tips:
- Leaves have a fragrant lemon scent and can be used in potpourri or drinks!
- These heat-resistant plants prefer moist, well-drained soil with full sun!
7. Basil
Basil herb thrives in full sun and adds a fresh taste to salads, sauces, and more. Keep watered with the leaves pinched back for continuous growth!
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8. Thyme
Many Mediterranean herbs will love sunny conditions and some don’t even mind being in soil that occasionally dries out. Thyme will do well with neglect and irregular watering.
Things to Know:
- Bees are attracted to thyme so you have an herb and natural pollinator in one.
9. Rosemary
Rosemary is a very hardy herb that thrives off neglect, dryness, and poor soil. Rain is more likely to kill it while they will survive through drought.
Tips:
- Be sure to bring them in for winter because this herb won’t tolerate winter in cold climates.
10. Garlic
Fragrant and flavorful, garlic is a must-have herb for any container garden, adding its strong flavor and scent to foods! Plant the cloves in a sunny location in early Spring.
Tips:
- When the tops are brown and are dead, you can dig them up to harvest!
- Repeat the process for an ongoing harvest all year.
11. Sweet Potato Vine
Perfect for adding trailing foliage to containers, sweet potato vine comes in a variety of colors and thrives in full sun with regular watering. Good varieties include Jersey Orange, Nugget, Nemagold, or Centennial.
Tips:
- Soil preparation is the key to growing sweet potatoes, a moderately fertile, sandy loam is ideal!
12. Peppers
Perfect for adding trailing foliage to containers, sweet potato vine comes in a variety of colors and thrives in full sun with regular watering. Topsoil with mulch to choke weeds out and keep the moisture high!
Tips:
- Keep pepper plants well watered throughout the summer and free from weed competition.
13. Squash
With its trailing vines and bright yellow blooms, squash adds height and drama to sunny container gardens, attracting bees and butterflies. Many new bush forms of squash have been developed to replace the old-fashioned, space-taking vining varieties.
14. Eggplant
Perfect for adding growing in containers, eggplant comes in a variety adapted for pots and thrives in full sun with regular watering.
Eggplant is a warm-season crop that needs a long period to mature so you’ll want to plant these seeds early in the season!
Tips:
- A glossy coating is a sign that your eggplant is ready for harvest!
15. Muskmelon (Cantaloupe)
These charming warm-season crops have been developed and growing them is super easy and less space consuming! Melons can easily become large but the secret for ripeness is the smell.
Things to Know:
- A ripe melon will have a delicious odor and easily slip off the stem for you to snack on all summer!
16. Sunflowers
Sunflowers are the ultimate summer plant, with their cheerful yellow blooms that follow the sun throughout the day.
While some varieties can grow quite tall, there are smaller, container-friendly varieties that are perfect for pots.
17. Echeveria Succulents
Succulents are ideal for hot, sunny spots where other plants might struggle. These drought-tolerant plants come in all shapes and sizes, and they’re perfect for adding texture and interest to your container garden.
19. Lantana
Lantanas thrive in well-drained soil and require little water once established. They prefer full sun and can handle the hottest summer days. They’re loved for their bright, multi-colored flower clusters that attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
20. Lavender
Lavender thrives in full sun and well-drained, slightly alkaline soil. It’s mostly cherished for its fragrant flowers and foliage, used in aromatherapy and crafting. It requires minimal watering and prefers dry conditions.
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21. Bougainvillea
Plant bougainvillea in full sun with well-drained soil. It’s drought-tolerant and thrives with minimal water once established. Bougainvillea comes in various colors and creates a stunning visual impact.
Things to Know:
- Bougainvillea’s bright colors are not its actual flowers but modified leaves called bracts. The true flowers are tiny and white.
22. Oleander
Oleanders prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They are drought-tolerant but benefit from regular watering during hot, dry periods.
Oleanders are popular for their showy, fragrant flowers that bloom throughout the summer, adding a tropical feel to gardens.
Things to Know:
- Oleander is highly toxic if ingested, which is why it’s often planted in areas where pets and children don’t frequent.
23. Canna Lily
Cannas need full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Cannas are favored for their large, tropical-looking leaves and bright, colorful flowers that add drama to gardens. They require regular watering, especially during dry spells.
- Cannas are not true lilies but are more closely related to bananas and gingers.
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24. Portulaca
Plant portulaca in full sun and sandy, well-drained soil. Consider soil for succulents rather than potting mix. Portulaca is loved for its low-growing, succulent-like foliage, and bright, colorful blooms that open in the morning and close at night.
These beauties are drought-tolerant and thrive in hot, dry conditions.
Things to Know:
- Portulaca flowers only open in full sunlight, making them a perfect indicator of sunny weather.
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This Post Has Shown You Container-Friendly Plants That Love Full Sun!
Whether you’re looking for vibrant blooms, tasty edibles, or attractive foliage, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in a sunny container garden. Happy gardening!
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