13 Summer Plants That Love Patios And Porches

Our patios and porches become the heart of our homes in the summer, where we can relax, have parties, and enjoy the outdoors. If you choose the right plants, these spots can become lush, bright escapes that celebrate the season’s lively energy. It is important to choose plants that do well in pots and in warm weather so that they are easy to care for and look good.

Whether you have full sun, some shade, or a mix of the two, there’s a plant that will work well in your space and style. These summer favorites can make your porch or patio come to life with their big blooms and beautiful leaves. This guide shows you thirteen plants that not only survive but also grow in the summer heat, giving you color and beauty all season long. These choices will help you make a healthy, inviting outdoor place perfect for summer fun, no matter how much experience you have gardening or how much you just love plants.

Petunia (Petunia × atkinsiana)

Petunias are a popular summer flower that people love for their bright colors and lots of blooms all season long. These annuals love the sun and do very well in pots, hanging baskets, and porch plants, which makes them a great choice for patios. Petunias add bright splashes of color to any outdoor space with their trumpet-shaped blooms that come in shades of pink, purple, white, and yellow. They do best in full sun and soil that drains well. They only need mild watering and deadheading every once in a while to keep growing heavily.

Petunias also come in hanging, mounding, and spreading types, so gardeners can pick the form that works best for their needs. Petunias are appealing because they smell sweet and can draw pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies. This makes them useful for both decoration and the environment. Petunias are a reliable and happy addition to any porch or patio plant because they keep giving off color from late spring to early fall.

Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides)

Coleus is a unique plant that is valued more for its beautiful leaves than for its flowers. Its leaves are great for adding color and texture to patios and porches that get some shade. Coleus plants have a huge variety of leaf colors, patterns, and sizes, so they look interesting even when they don’t have flowers. The plant does best in partial to full shade, which makes it ideal for patios with covers that don’t get a lot of sun.

Coleus grows best in rich, wet soil and needs to be watered often to keep its bright look. Cutting off flower buds helps the plant focus on making leaves, which makes it look better as a decoration. Coleus looks great with flowering plants to make interesting arrangements, whether they are grown in pots, hanging baskets, or a mix of containers. It can grow straight up or following, which gives designers a lot of options. Coleus is a great plant for farmers who want strong color and texture with little work. It is easy to grow and quickly fills out.

Lantana (Lantana camara)

The small, grouped flowers on lantana change color as they grow. This plant can handle heat and loves the sun. During the summer, this one-of-a-kind feature makes decks and steps look even more interesting. Lantana does well in hot, dry places and does well in sunny spots where other plants might not do as well. It’s great for container gardening because it doesn’t need much care and does well in pots or hanging baskets that drain well.

Butterfly, bee, and hummingbird visitors are drawn to the flowers, which makes your outdoor area more ecologically valuable. The bright mixtures of yellow, orange, pink, red, and purple in lantana make for a show of color that is always changing. By removing the dead flowers, you can encourage the plant to keep blooming all season. Lavannah is a great plant for farmers who want something strong and beautiful for their summer gardens and porches. It has beautiful flowers that draw people in.

Begonia (Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum)

Begonias are hardy plants that do well in a wide range of summer conditions. This makes them great for adding color to patios and decks that are in the shade. Begonias come in shades of red, pink, white, and orange. They are known for having waxy leaves and lots of bright flowers. You can put them in hanging boxes or pots to get the most out of their container life.

These plants do best in rich, well-drained soil that stays wet all the time. Begonias bloom even when there isn’t as much light, which makes them perfect for covered porches or patios that face north. They grow very closely together, which makes them easy to arrange neatly, and they look great with plants that have leaves, like ferns or caladiums. Begonias are resistant to pests and diseases, and they are very satisfying to grow because they give you months of rich growth and bright color. Because they do well in low light, they are a popular choice for outdoor areas that are covered in the summer.

Calibrachoa (Calibrachoa × hybrida)

Calibrachoa, which is sometimes called “million bells,” has lots of small flowers that look like petunias and hang down beautifully from the sides of pots and hanging baskets. Because it does best in full sun and dirt that drains well, this plant is a great choice for patios and porches that get a lot of sun. Calibrachoa blooms a lot, and the flowers come in many colors, such as purple, pink, yellow, red, and white.

It needs to be watered often, but it doesn’t like being soggy, so good draining is very important. These plants clean themselves, so you don’t have to remove the spent flowers to keep them blooming. This makes them a favorite among busy farmers who want low care plants. Even though they are small, the way they grow (trailing) makes them look rich and overflowing, which adds drama to container designs. Calibrachoa also brings in insects, which makes your yard more diverse. Calibrachoa is a great summer plant for patios and porches because it gives off color for a long time with little work.

New Guinea Impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri)

New Guinea impatiens are the best way to add bright color to patios and porches that get some shade or some sun. These mixed impatiens can handle more sun and heat than regular impatiens, which makes them better suited to summer circumstances. Their big, showy flowers come in bright colors like red, pink, purple, and white. They often have pretty, shiny leaves that go with them.

These plants do best in rich, well-drained soil that stays moist all the time. To keep their fast growth going, they should be fed regularly. New Guinea impatiens look tropical and fill in quickly to make displays that are full of life. They do well in pots and hanging baskets. Because they grow nonstop from late spring to early fall, they are a good choice for color that lasts. They are easy to grow and take care of, and they don’t get downy mildew or other common pests. These plants make any covered patio or porch look better because they look great and last a long time.

Salvia (Salvia splendens)

Salvia is a flowering plant that can handle heat and adds bright spikes of color to any yard or porch in the summer. Salvia is beautiful and good for the environment because it has tall, bright flower stalks in red, purple, pink, and white. It also draws hummingbirds and other animals. It does best in full sun and dirt that doesn’t stay soggy, which makes it a great choice for growing in containers in hot places.

Once it’s established, salvia doesn’t need much care. It just needs to be watered and deadheaded every once in a while to keep growing. The plant grows straight up, which adds interest to pots that are tall, and it looks good with plants that trail or mound for a balanced look. Salvia blooms for a long time, from late spring to fall. It adds color and energy to outdoor spaces all year long. Salvia is hardy and doesn’t get eaten by deer or rabbits. It’s also very pretty, which is why gardeners love it as a bright, low-maintenance choice for summer pots.

Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas)

The sweet potato vine is a greenery plant that is known for its beautiful leaves that fall from pots in a dramatic way. This makes it perfect for patios and porches. It doesn’t have very showy flowers, but its bright leaves, which range from deep purple to bright green, give any plant design depth and contrast. This plant grows quickly and does best in full sun to partial shade. It needs to be watered often to keep its thick look.

It looks great with flowering plants like petunias and calibrachoa, making mixed pots look more interesting. The sweet potato plant is both pretty and easy to take care of. It does best in warm weather with little work. Because it trails, it looks great in hanging baskets, plants on railings, or big backyard pots. The plant is mostly grown for its looks, but its adaptability and strength make it a useful addition to any summer pot garden. When it comes to big, pretty leaves, sweet potato vine is the best choice.

Dahlias (Dahlia pinnata)

Dahlias are beautiful flowering plants that stand out because of their complex blooms and bright colors. They would look great on any porch or patio. These summer-loving plants do best in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. To keep their lush growth going, they need to be fed and watered regularly. Dahlias come in many shapes and sizes, from small pompons to flowers the size of dinner plates, which makes them useful for a lot of different situations in pots.

Even though they need a little more care than some summer plants, they reward you with beautiful blooms that last all summer and into fall. By removing the dead flowers, you can keep the plant looking neat and encourage it to grow again. Dahlias also bring in pollinators like butterflies and bees, which makes your outdoor area more alive and active. Dahlias are great for outdoor pots because they stand out and come in a wide range of beautiful colors. They add beauty and botanical interest all summer long.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

People love lavender, which is a growing plant that does best in sunny, dry places. This makes it perfect for patios and porches that get a lot of summer sun. Lavender is known for its fragrant purple flowers and silvery-green leaves. It makes container gardening more appealing to look at and smell. It grows best in soil that drains well and doesn’t need much water once it’s established.

This makes it a good choice for busy gardeners who want to save time and effort on gardening. Not only is lavender beautiful, but it also naturally keeps bugs and flies away from places where people sit. Its pleasant smell also helps you relax, which makes it a great addition to outdoor areas meant for relaxing and meditating. Bees and butterflies are drawn to lavender flowers, which makes your yard even more diverse. Lavender has a classic, soothing look that works well on its own or in a mixed pot. Lavender is a great plant for the porch or patio because it is classic, useful, and oozes summer charm.

Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)

Any porch or patio will look more exotic with tropical hibiscus. Its big, bright flowers and shiny green leaves add a splash of color. These plants love the sun and do best in warm, sunny places. They also do great in pots and will make your outdoor space feel like a resort. The flowers come in beautiful shades of red, pink, orange, yellow, and white. They can grow up to eight inches across and bloom all summer long if they are taken care of properly.

Hibiscus likes dirt that stays wet but drains well, and it does best when it is fed a balanced fertilizer on a regular basis. Hibiscus usually does well in summer settings, but it might need some extra care during really hot spells. Pruning can help it keep its tight, bushy shape, which makes it great for gardening in pots. The plant’s beautiful flowers bring in pollinators, and its bold look makes it a natural choice for outdoor settings. Hibiscus is great for farmers who want to add bright, tropical beauty to their patios and porches.

Marigold (Tagetes erecta)

Marigolds are happy, hardy plants that do well in hot weather, so they are great for making patios and porches look nice. Their flowers range from bright yellow to deep orange and stay colored all season. They look good with many other summer plants. Marigolds are very simple to grow; they do best in full sun and dirt that drains well with little attention. They are good for outdoor living places because their strong smell keeps bugs like mosquitoes and ants away.

These plants are thick and small, so they do well in pots, window boxes, or groups of plants in planters. Getting rid of dead flowers helps the plants look neat and encourages more flowers to grow. Marigolds are also known to bring in ladybugs, hoverflies, and other bugs that are good for the plant environment. Marigolds are a tried-and-true choice among gardeners who want a colorful, pest-proof, and easy-to-take-care-for plant that adds warmth and color to any summer backyard or porch.

Caladium (Caladium bicolor)

The heart-shaped, colorful leaves of the caladium plant are known to make shady patios and porches look better with their complex patterns and bright colors. This tropical beauty does best in warm, muggy places with indirect light, so it’s perfect for outdoor areas that are partly shaded or covered. The beautiful mixtures of red, pink, white, and green on the leaves make them stand out against flowering plants.

Caladiums do best in pots with rich, well-drained soil, and they need steady wetness to keep from dying. Their pretty leaves are enough to make them look interesting and give off a lush, jungle-like vibe, even though they don’t bloom. If you want to grow caladium again next year, you can use seeds instead of cutting it back. If you want to add depth, texture, and color to your yard without flowers, this is a great option. Caladium makes a beautiful show that lasts all summer on patios and decks if you take good care of it.

Last Thought

Picking the right plants for your climate, light levels, and style goals is key to making a patio or porch that looks great in the summer. Each plant on this list brings something different to your outdoor space, from the beautiful flowers of petunias and dahlias to the striking leaves of coleus and caladium. These choices have something for every summer need, whether you want low-maintenance color, blooms that are good for pollinators, or lush textures. If you take care of and put plants in the right places, your patio or porch can turn into a beautiful summer escape that brings you joy, scent, and beauty all summer long.

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