🌿🌼 Top 15 Patio Plants For Covered Outdoor Spaces 🏡✨

👋🌿 Welcome to outdoor covered patios’ magic! Love fresh air and nature?

🍃 Enhance your space with vibrant plants perfect for your patio. I’ll guide you through picking the right plants, saving you frustration and cash. Whether your patio basks in sun ☀️ or relaxes in shade 🌤, our expert tips ensure a lush retreat.

Ready to turn your patio into a green paradise? Let’s start! 🌸🌱🌻

Plants that Love Sun

If you have a sunny outdoor covered patio, you’ll want to choose plants that thrive in the sun. Here are some sun-loving flowers that will add vibrancy to your space:

Wave Petunias

Unlike standard petunias, wave petunias last longer and don’t need deadheading. They come in various colors and can provide a burst of color to your outdoor space.

Lantana

This sun-loving plant is not only beautiful but also drought-tolerant. It can withstand the heat and requires minimal maintenance, making it a perfect choice for your sunny patio.

Tropicals for Sun

If you’re looking to create a tropical oasis on your outdoor covered patio, tropical plants are the perfect choice. They bring a sense of exotic beauty and vibrant colors that can transform your space into a mini paradise. Two tropical plants that thrive in sunny areas are Mandevilla and Hibiscus. These plants not only add a touch of elegance and sophistication but also require minimal maintenance.

Mandevilla

Mandevilla is a tropical vine known for its stunning trumpet-shaped flowers that come in various shades of pink, red, and white. It can grow up to 10 feet tall and is ideal for creating a vertical focal point on your outdoor covered patio. Mandevilla thrives in full sun and requires well-draining soil. With regular watering and occasional fertilizing, it will reward you with blooms throughout the summer season.

Hibiscus

Hibiscus is another tropical plant that loves the sun. It features large, showy flowers in vibrant colors like red, yellow, orange, and pink. Hibiscus can be grown as a shrub or trained into a small tree, adding height and drama to your patio garden. It prefers well-drained soil and regular watering. With proper care, Hibiscus will provide you with a profusion of blooms that will make your outdoor space feel like a tropical paradise.

• Add a touch of elegance and sophistication with Mandevilla
• Add height and drama with Hibiscus
• Enjoy stunning trumpet-shaped flowers
• Create a tropical oasis on your patio
• Minimal maintenance required

Sun-Loving Perennial Plant: Autumn Joy Sedum

When it comes to sun-loving plants for your outdoor covered patio, Autumn Joy Sedum is a top choice. This perennial plant not only thrives in sunny areas but also withstands freezing temperatures, making it incredibly resilient and durable. Whether you have pots or garden beds, Autumn Joy Sedum adds a touch of beauty and elegance to any space.

Autumn Joy Sedum features attractive succulent-like foliage that appears green during spring and summer, transitioning to a rich burgundy color in the fall. The plant produces stunning clusters of tiny flowers that start as light pink and gradually darken to a deep rusty red, adding visual interest and texture to your outdoor area.

Benefits of Autumn Joy Sedum

• Thrives in full sun, tolerating intense heat and sunlight
• Resilient and capable of withstanding freezing temperatures
• Low maintenance, requiring minimal watering and care
• Provides visual interest with attractive foliage and clusters of flowers
• Adaptable to both garden beds and pots, making it versatile for any outdoor covered patio

Plants that Love Shade

If your outdoor covered patio is in a shaded area, you’ll need plants that thrive in lower light conditions. When it comes to shaded spaces, Boston Ferns are an easy and excellent choice. They not only add a touch of elegance with their feathery foliage but also thrive in the absence of direct sunlight.

Boston Ferns

Boston Ferns are well-suited for shaded areas and are known for their ability to purify the air. With their lush green fronds, they bring a fresh and natural ambiance to any space. Consider hanging Boston Ferns in baskets or placing them on plant stands to create visual interest and maximize their beauty.

Coleus

Coleus is another favorite for shaded patios due to its colorful foliage and versatility. With a wide variety of leaf colors and patterns to choose from, you can create stunning combinations and add a vibrant touch to your outdoor covered patio. Coleus is also easy to propagate from cuttings, allowing you to expand your collection effortlessly.

Begonias

Begonias are an excellent choice for shaded pots, as they offer a wide variety of options with their colorful leaves and blooms. From the delicate foliage of Rex Begonias to the showy flowers of Tuberous Begonias, there is a begonia variety to suit every taste. With their low maintenance requirements and ability to thrive in shaded areas, begonias are a popular choice among patio gardeners.

New Guinea Impatiens: A Hardy Variety for Shaded Areas

When it comes to finding the perfect shade plants for your outdoor covered patio, look no further than New Guinea Impatiens. These hardy plants are an excellent choice for areas with limited sunlight, as they thrive in shaded conditions and even tolerate some sun exposure. Their beautiful blooms and versatility make them a top favorite among gardeners.

If you’re worried about common impatiens being susceptible to downy mildew, the New Guinea variety is a great alternative. These plants are resistant to this disease, ensuring your patio remains vibrant and healthy throughout the season. With larger and more showy blooms, New Guinea Impatiens add a splash of color and elegance to any shaded space.

Why Choose New Guinea Impatiens?

• Hardy plants that thrive in shaded areas
• Tolerate some sun exposure
• Resistant to downy mildew
• Large and showy blooms
• Comes in a variety of colors

Caladium for Shade

If you’re searching for a shade-loving plant with stunning foliage, look no further than Caladiums. These beautiful plants are a perfect addition to any shaded area, adding a pop of color with their heart-shaped leaves. Caladiums come in a variety of vibrant shades, including red, pink, white, and green, allowing you to create a visually appealing and dynamic outdoor space. Whether you have a covered patio or a shaded porch, Caladiums will thrive and bring life to your surroundings.

One of the greatest benefits of Caladiums is their low-maintenance nature. They are relatively easy to care for, requiring minimal attention to thrive. Caladiums prefer well-draining soil and appreciate regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist. Applying a layer of mulch around the base of the plant can help retain moisture and reduce weed growth. Additionally, Caladiums are relatively pest-free, making them a hassle-free choice for those who want beautiful plants without the extra effort.

Key Features of Caladiums for Shade:

• Colorful heart-shaped leaves
• Thrives in shaded areas
• Low-maintenance and relatively pest-free
• Provides a vibrant touch to any outdoor space

Ferns for Shade

When it comes to adding an attractive touch to your shaded outdoor covered patio, ferns are an excellent choice. These shade-loving plants bring a vibrant and lush feel to any space. Whether you have a Boston Fern, a Kimberly Queen Fern, or other fern varieties, they will create a refreshing and calming atmosphere.

Why Choose Ferns?

• Ferns are known for their delicate and feathery foliage, which adds elegance and visual interest to your shaded patio.
• They are low-maintenance plants that thrive in indirect or filtered light, making them perfect for shaded areas.
• Ferns are an attractive addition to pots or hanging baskets, creating a beautiful cascading effect.
• With their ability to withstand humidity, ferns are well-suited for outdoor covered patios.

Tips for Patio Gardeners

As a patio gardener, there are some essential tips that can help you create a thriving and vibrant outdoor space. Here are some expert recommendations to ensure your plants thrive.

1. Start with good soil: Use organic potting soil mixed with compost to provide a nutrient-rich foundation for your plants. The right soil will promote healthy root growth and overall plant health.
2. Provide adequate water: Plants in pots tend to dry out quickly, so it’s important to check for water needs regularly. Avoid over-watering, as it can lead to root rot. Find the right balance to keep your plants hydrated.
3. Use fertilizer: Annuals benefit from regular feeding with organic fertilizers. Follow the package instructions to ensure your plants receive the nutrients they need to thrive.

Advice from the Experts

When it comes to creating a thriving outdoor covered patio garden, seeking advice from experts can make all the difference. Reputable garden centers and knowledgeable professionals are valuable resources for plant enthusiasts. They can provide guidance specific to your region, helping you choose the best plants for your outdoor space.

One important tip is to read the plant tags carefully. Plant tags contain helpful information about care and requirements, such as sunlight exposure, watering needs, and fertilizing recommendations. By understanding the plant’s specific needs, you’ll be better equipped to provide the optimal conditions for its growth.

Container Mixes for Shaded Porch Areas

Creating a thriving container garden for your shaded porch can be a rewarding endeavor. With the right container mixes, you can provide your plants with the ideal growing environment. Here are some tips to help you choose the best mixes for your shaded porch areas:

Select mixes with adequate drainage:

• Ensure that the container mixes you choose have proper drainage to prevent waterlogged roots. Look for mixes that contain perlite or vermiculite, as these materials help improve drainage.
• Avoid using garden soil alone as it tends to compact in containers and can hinder drainage.

Choose mixes with moisture retention:

• Shaded porch areas often have lower moisture levels, so it’s important to select container mixes that retain moisture. Look for mixes that contain peat moss, coconut coir, or compost, as these materials help retain water.
• Consider adding water-absorbing crystals or moisture control granules to the mixes, as they can further enhance moisture retention.

Combine ferns, coleus, and other shade-loving plants:

• Ferns are an excellent choice for shaded porch areas due to their lush foliage and low-light tolerance. Combine different varieties of ferns to add texture and visual interest to your containers.
• Coleus is another shade-loving plant that comes in a wide range of vibrant colors and patterns. Mix different coleus varieties to create a beautiful and eye-catching display.
• Combine these plants with other shade-loving options like begonias, impatiens, or heucheras to create a diverse and visually appealing container garden.

Colorful Succulents for Shaded Patios

When it comes to adding vibrant pops of color to your shaded patio, colorful succulents are an excellent choice. These low-maintenance plants not only thrive in bright, natural light, but they also bring beauty and character to any outdoor space. Two standout options for shaded patios are Kalanchoe and Croton plants.

Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe plants are known for their long-lasting blooms and eye-catching colors. With clusters of vibrant flowers in shades of red, orange, pink, and yellow, they provide a stunning display on your shaded patio. These succulents are easy to grow and require minimal watering, making them a great choice for busy gardeners.

Croton

Croton plants are prized for their colorful foliage, which features a mix of vibrant reds, oranges, yellows, and greens. Their leaves come in various shapes and sizes, adding texture and visual interest to your patio. While Croton plants do best in bright, indirect light, they can tolerate some shade, making them an excellent option for shaded patios.

Best Potted Plants for Full Sun

If you have a sunny outdoor covered patio, you’ll want to choose potted plants that can tolerate the heat and intense sunlight. Luckily, there are several plants that not only thrive in full sun but also add beauty and vibrancy to your space. Here are some top recommendations for the best potted plants for full sun:

Lavender

Known for its fragrant blooms and beautiful purple flowers, lavender is a hardy plant that loves basking in the sun. It requires well-drained soil and only needs to be watered sparingly, making it ideal for hot, sunny environments.

Roses

With their timeless beauty and variety of colors, roses are a classic choice for sunny patios. They require regular watering and well-draining soil, but the effort is worth it for their stunning blooms and sweet fragrance.

Cherry Tomatoes

If you have space for a small vegetable garden on your patio, cherry tomatoes are a fantastic option. These sun-loving plants produce an abundance of tasty fruits, perfect for snacking or adding to salads.

Additional Considerations for Full Sun Plants

While lavender, roses, and cherry tomatoes are excellent choices for full sun areas, it’s important to consider a few additional factors when selecting and caring for these plants. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Ensure that your potted plants have enough space to grow and thrive. Avoid overcrowding them, as this can lead to stunted growth and increased susceptibility to pests and diseases.
• Regularly monitor your plants for signs of stress, such as wilting or browning leaves. Adjust watering and provide shade during the hottest parts of the day if necessary.
• Consider using a slow-release fertilizer specifically formulated for potted plants in full sun. This will provide them with the necessary nutrients over an extended period and help promote healthy growth.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In conclusion, creating a vibrant and thriving patio garden is possible, no matter whether your outdoor covered patio is sunny or shaded. By following the recommendations provided by our experts, you can select the best plants for your space and ensure their success.

Remember to consider your personal preferences and maintenance capabilities when choosing plants. Good soil, adequate water, and regular fertilizing are key to maintaining the health and vibrancy of your patio garden.

Whether you opt for sun-loving plants like Lantana and Wave Petunias, or shade-loving options like Boston Ferns and New Guinea Impatiens, there is a wide variety of plants to suit your needs. Don’t hesitate to seek advice from experts at reputable garden centers, as they can provide valuable guidance specific to your region.

In summary, with the right plants and proper care, your outdoor covered patio can be transformed into a beautiful oasis. Enjoy the process of patio gardening and watch as your space comes alive with green wonders and bursts of color.