Different Plants to Put in Outside Pots

The bleeding heart is named for its unusual flower.Single bleeding heart image by fotogal from Fotolia.com

Settling plants into outside pots allows the homeowner to move the plants around to suit his design taste or to accommodate special needs of the plants. Bring outside potted plants inside during the winter, depending on their ability to handle the cold whether. Nearly any plant can grow outside in the right size pot. You just have to place the plant in a suitable location to see it grow and flourish.

Herbs

Herbs grow anywhere. You can plant several varieties in one large pot or one kind in each pot. Herbs enhance your food as well as spruce up your patio. Varieties including basil, cilantro, tarragon and parsley need lots of water and rich soil to grow. Others, including chives, oregano, sage, rosemary, thyme, bay, marjoram and lavender can make do with less water, because of their origins in the Mediterranean. Pluck large leaves rather than new small leaves to keep your plant healthy.

Chrysanthemums, traditionally seen in the fall at stores, require a 5- to 6-inch pot and moist soil. The plants need warm temperatures between 60 F and 90 F with regular waterings. Keep these potted plants outside for as long as possible, covering them during early frosts. Chrysanthemums bloom in the fall and thrive in shady locations.

The hardy bleeding heart grows into a small bush. It needs a large pot to flourish and starts to grow leaves in early spring. The bleeding heart-shaped flowers bloom from May to June. After the flowers die, the plant begins to slowly die back. By fall, the once beautiful plant looks like it is dead. Cut back the plant, leaving the roots intact. It weathers the winter and regrows in the spring without any assistance from the plant owner.

African violets grow well in small pots and bloom vibrantly in shades of purple. They require temperatures higher than 60 F at all times to survive. In most locations in the northern hemisphere, move the plant inside for winter. Extremely susceptible to rot, the African violet needs regular watering and prefers that the soil dries between waterings. Place African violets in a shady area of your patio, as direct sunlight disagrees with the species.

Million Bells, a flowering vine, spills over the edges of pots. The bright blossoms come in shades of yellow, pink and purple. This annual species grows only for a season then dies. It adds interest and color to any landscape. The plant resembles petunias, only Million Bells is smaller.