Container gardening is a simple and rewarding way to grow plants, particularly if you have limited space. Whether you live in an apartment, have a small patio, or just want an easy gardening option, containers make it possible to grow flowers, herbs, vegetables, and more almost anywhere. They are easy to manage, require less maintenance than traditional gardens, and allow you to control soil quality and watering more effectively. But often by the end of the summer they can look sad, with leggy plants and brown leaves.
I spoke with garden designer and container gardening expert Carmen Johnston on how to successfully plant a flowering container that will look great all season long.
P.S. Carmen does great instructional Instagram videos. Check them out here.
The Biggest Mistake People Make With Container Gardens
Per Carmen, “the number one mistake I see is people not planting enough! I love to stuff and shove for that instant look, and you can always cut back in the summer if things get too crowded. And please, be sure to use a good potting soil. Do not go cheap here, friends. Your plants are only as happy as the soil they're sitting in, so invest in the good stuff and you'll see the difference all season long.”
How to Choose the Best Pot for Healthy Container Plants
Carmen says focus on three things: drainage, size, and personality. “Drainage holes are non-negotiable, because no holes means no healthy roots. Size matters too; bigger pots hold more soil and moisture, which means happier plants and less watering for you. And then there's the fun part, which is personality! I always say a container should reflect who you are. A vintage olive jar, an aged terra-cotta urn, a sweet little antique find. Those are the pieces that make your porch feel like you. Don't be afraid to mix high and low.”
Why Good Potting Soil Makes or Breaks a Container Garden
“Soil is everything,” says Carmen. “I cannot say it loud enough, do NOT scoop dirt out of your yard and dump it in your pot. Garden soil compacts in containers and basically suffocates your plants. You want a high-quality potting mix that's light, fluffy, and made for containers. I love a quality mix that has slow-release fertilizer and moisture-retaining ingredients already blended in, because it saves you steps and sets your plants up for success. Then I top-dress with a little extra slow-release fertilizer when I plant. That's the secret handshake right there.”
How to Keep Container Gardens Alive in Extreme Summer Heat
“When it comes to containers, go big or go home!” says Carmen. “Small pots turn into crock pots in our Southern heat, cooking those poor roots right up. The bigger the pot, the more soil, the more moisture, and the happier your plants. And don't forget water saucers! Saucers allow your container to drink up any extra water throughout the day instead of letting it run right out the bottom. They keep moisture available to those thirsty roots, cut down on how often you have to water, and are honestly one of the easiest ways to keep your containers thriving through August.”
How do you refresh a container that's looking tired or leggy midseason?
Carmen encourages everyone to become friends with your pruners. “Give those leggy stems a good haircut. Cut them back by a third, fertilize, water well, and walk away. Within a week or two, your container will come roaring back. If a plant is truly done, just pop it out and tuck in a fresh annual. I do this every single summer, usually around the Fourth of July. It's like a little mid-season refresh, and it makes containers look beautiful all the way until frost.”
The Simple “Tall, Thick, and Trailing” Trick for Beautiful Pots
Carmen likes to follow a simple formula when planting containers. “I call it the 3 T’s: tall, thick, and trailing. You want a tall focal point to draw the eye up, something thick and lush to fill out the middle, and a trailing beauty to spill over the edge. And here's my little trick: plant it in the shape of a triangle. That triangle placement gives your container balance and fullness from every angle, so it looks gorgeous whether you're walking up to it or looking at it from the side. Then choose plants that LOVE your sun conditions and feed regularly so it keeps showing off all season.”
The Best Flowers for Containers That Bloom All Summer
Everyone has their favorite plants. Here are a few of Carmen’s. “I am loyal to the workhorses, y'all. SunPatiens, lantana, angelonia, and pentas never let me down, especially through a Southern summer. For shade, I lean on caladiums, begonias, dragon wing begonias, and torenia. These are the plants that keep showing up for you when the heat is brutal and you've maybe forgotten to water once or twice (no judgment, we've all been there!).”
The Underrated Container Plants Garden Experts Swear By
And don’t forget the underdogs! “Two of my favorites that nobody talks about enough: plectranthus and torenia. Plectranthus is a powerhouse, y'all. It can take full sun, doesn't need a lot of water, and the foliage adds beautiful texture and color that plays well with just about anything you pair it with. It's tough as nails and asks for almost nothing in return. And torenia! This little gem works well for me in both sun and shade, which makes it so versatile when you're trying to fill pots all over the yard. The blooms are sweet, it keeps flowering through the heat, and it just keeps going.”
Easy Low-Maintenance Container Garden Combinations for Sun and Shade
Here are a few of Carmen’s container combos you can use! “One of my forever favorites for a sunny spot: a mandevilla as something tall, lantana in your color of choice, and angelonia for the filler, and plectranthus trailing over the edge. It's heat-loving, drought-tolerant, blooms its heart out from May through October, and looks gorgeous on a front porch or by a pool. And my absolute favorite low-maintenance container for the shade: a Kimberly Queen fern, variegated ivy, and dragon wing begonias. That combo is lush, layered, and practically takes care of itself. Easy, beautiful, and absolutely full of personality.”
