Top 9+ container plants that thrive in full sun—even in scorching heat
These sun-loving plants will thrive through summer's hottest days.
Whether it's a row of window boxes on a south-facing facade, a sunny patio full of terracotta planters, or a poolside garden with tropical-inspired blooms, a full sun container garden can be one of the most cheerful sights of summer.
But planting a container garden in full sun requires a little extra know-how. Because soil in containers tends to dry out faster than the soil in the ground, you have to pay close attention to whether or not your plants are actually equipped to thrive in full sun.
Need inspiration for choosing the right thriller, fillers, and spillers for your garden? Here are nine plants that will show off their best colors in full sun containers.
Meet the Expert
- Christine Schaub is an author, gardening expert, and hostess based in Nashville, Tennessee.
01 of 09
Clemantis
- Botanical Name: Clematis spp.
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil type: Well-draining, loamy
- Soil pH: Neutral
A climbing clemantis is one of the prettiest perennials you can put in a full sun container, and they do best when they get at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. This vining flowers will reach upwards, so make sure there is a nearby structure or trellis where they can continue to climb towards the sun. They'll come back every year, giving you decades of vibrant blooms.
02 of 09
Fountain Grass
- Botanical Name: Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum'
- Sun exposure: Full sun, partial shade
- Soil type: Well-draining, moist
- Soil pH: Neutral, alkaline
Tall, ornamental grasses are an excellent choice for full sun containers because their root system allows them to draw on moisture deep below the surface, while also providing major interest up above.
"These thrillers will create height and movement in the center or back of larger pots," says gardening expert Christine Schaub. Schaub adds that colorful and textural grasses are also a great choice if you have a striking planter that you want to fill with just one plant. Fountain grass will steal the show.
03 of 09
Creeping Jenny
- Botanical Name: Lysimachia nummularia
- Sun exposure: Full sun, partial
- Soil type: Well-draining, sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH: Acidic, neutral, alkaline
If you want major bang for your buck when it comes to your full sun container garden, invest a few dollars in buying a small pot of creeping jenny. This perennial is the most vivid shade of chartreuse, and it spreads quickly—literally creeping along any surface.
"These prolific spillers are never attention-seekers because they don’t bloom," says Schaub. "They simply drape their leafy beauty down the sides of your pots, hiding flaws and drawing down the eye, adding grace and texture to any pot"
04 of 09
Geraniums
- Botanical Name: Geranium
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil type: Well-draining
- Soil pH: Neutral, alkaline
Geraniums are one of the most classic summer flowers, and they produce their most abundant, colorful blooms when they're given a full sun location. Schaub says, "Every pot could use a little color, right? Geraniums require moderate watering, and deadheading only if you feel like it. Bonus: These bloomers are easy to find at any garden center!"
05 of 09
Salvia
- Botanical Name: Salvia sylvestris
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil type: Well-draining
- Soil pH: Acidic
Purple flowers are a favorite of pollinators, which is reason enough to fill your full sun containers with them. Salvia is a particularly pretty option, and, with direct sun for at least six hours daily, they'll keep these tall blooms coming from late spring all the way through fall.
06 of 09
Sedum
- Botanical Name: Sedum spp., Hylotelephium
- Sun exposure: Full sun, partial
- Soil type: Well-draining, coarse, sandy
- Soil pH: Acidic, neutral
Succulents, like sedum, will fill in throughout your containers, eventually spilling over the sides. Their best color comes out in full sun. "These are the ultimate hot and dry drought-tolerant plants," says Schaub. "They thrive on very little water, prefer hot sun, and reward you with slow growth—especially if the pot is tightly packed."
07 of 09
Kalanchoe
- Botanical Name: Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
- Sun exposure: Full sun, partial
- Soil type: Well-draining, sandy
- Soil pH: Acidic, neutral, slightly alkaline
While most succulents are thought of as efficient fillers, spreading a lush carpet of green across your planters, kalanchoe actually adds both height and color to a full sun container. Since it's drought tolerant, it will continue to bloom even if you aren't the most consistent with watering.
08 of 09
Lavender
- Botanical Name: Lavendula spp.
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil type: Well-draining
- Soil pH: Alkaline
herbs are ornamental, as well as tasty! Any woody-stemmed herb—rosemary, lavender, thyme, sage, bay—needs less attention and actually prefers hot sun and drier soil. Water sparingly. Bonus: Using the herbs, aka pruning them, is extremely beneficial to health and growth. Snip away!
09 of 09
Spikes
- Botanical Name: Dracaena Indivisa
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil type: Well-draining
- Soil pH: Acidic
For a tropical look in your containers, there are few better options than spikes. "Fast-growing and happy to take center-stage, these hardy thrillers shoot up from the center of pots with a sturdy stem and 'spikey' leaves," says Schaub. Plus, they have deep roots that will take advantage of water deep in the container.
Schaub recommends trimming off weathered leaves to keep new spikes growing throughout the season.
