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9 Best Plants for Colorful Containers

Add a dramatic pop of color to your home or garden with these vibrant choices for containers

Sunset
1 /9 Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Johanna Silver

Florists' chrysanthemum

Florists’ chrysanthemum is a go-to staple for cool-season color.

More: How to grow florists' chrysanthemum

2 /9 Photo courtesy of Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.; written by Johanna Silver

Heuchera

Heuchera comes in a wide variety of colors, and many will keep their interesting leaves all winter long. We love them for being colorful shade-tolerant troopers, but their lasting power as a perennial comes from their flexibility in Western gardens -- they make a great container plant, they're a natural in rock gardens, and heucheras look especially fetching when grouped en masse in different colors and leaf shapes. Sunset garden editors have lots of ideas of plants to pair with heuchera for a modern twist, such as plum-leaved 'Stormy Seas' heuchera with blue fescue and variegated Magilla perilla.
3 /9 Written by Johanna Silver

Nemesia

Nemesia brings cheer (and fragrance) through the cooler months.

4 /9 Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Johanna Silver

Snapdragon

Plant snapdragon in a pot for instant impact.

More: How to grow snapdragon

5 /9 Photo by Marion Brenner; written by Johanna Silver

Calendula

More: How to grow calendula

Calendula comes in shades of apricot, cream, and soft yellow.

6 /9 Photo by Rob D. Brodman; written by Johanna Silver

Flowering kale & cabbage

Flowering kale (and cabbage, too) has interesting rosettes that really pop in containers.

More: How to grow flowering kale and cabbage

7 /9 Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Johanna Silver

White cyclamen

White cyclamen are stunning and provide the ultimate classic winter look.

More: How to grow white cyclamen

8 /9 Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Johanna Silver

Johnny Jump-Up

Johnny Jump-Ups have undeniable cheer and are perfectly suited for pots.

More: How to grow Johnny Jump-Up

9 /9 Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Johanna Silver

Libertia

Sword-like leaves of libertia give a pop of gold and thrive in containers.

More: How to grow libertia