If you're lucky enough to have a warm patio area that receives plenty of sunlight, there's no doubt you'll want to take advantage and use this space to grow a whole range of plants. Sunny patios are also the perfect spot for summer hosting, so greening up your space can make it more inviting for guests.
The good news is that there are plenty of patio ideas that can be adapted to sunny patios. Unlike a more limited range of plants for a shady patio, there are lots of plants that thrive in sunnier environments and will benefit from patio container planting.
With so much choice, where do you get started? Look no further - here are the top 5 plants experts recommend growing on a sunny patio.
5 plants for a sunny patio
Sunny patio plants will work particularly well if you have a south-facing garden or south-facing balcony where these sun-lovers can have all-day access to sunlight. Here are the best plants for a sunny patio to get you started.
1. Citrus trees
If you're a keen fruit and vegetable gardener and are looking for ways to extend your kitchen garden to your patio will beautiful edible plants, opting for citrus trees in a sunny spot is ideal.
'Potted citrus like lemon or lime trees are a beautiful addition to a sunny patio. They require plenty of sunlight and thrive in warm climates,' says Evan Torchio, tree expert and CEO of Tree Mender. 'Just be sure to grow citrus indoors during freezing temperatures,' he adds.
Citrus trees, whether its orange, lemon or lime, tend to thrive across US hardiness zone 8 to zone 10, and you can get many different potted citrus trees that will work for a patio - like this Semi-Dwarf Meyer Lemon Tree from Nature Hills.
During summer, take care to also fertilize citrus trees to encourage an abundant harvest.
Evan Torchio is a plant expert and the CEO and Founder of Tree Menders. He earned a bachelor’s degree in forestry and is a member of the International Society of Arboriculture. Evan provides advice on indoor and outdoor plants.
2. Rosemary
Why not dedicate a section of your patio to creating a herb garden, as many herbs require plenty of sunlight to thrive for longer. One of the most popular herbs that grows well in sunlight is rosemary.
Rosemary thrives in US hardiness zone 8 and higher, requiring lots of warmth for new growth. It's also one of the most aromatic herbs and is a perfect plant to make your patio smell nice.
Harvest rosemary from your sunny patio to cook with, and take care to prune rosemary so that it continues to grow lusciously.
Find rosemary plants from supermarkets, like these rosemary starter plants from Walmart.
3. Zinnias
While you may be concerned that direct sunlight will scorch leaves and petals, there are actually plenty of flowering plants that thrive best in a full sun position.
'Zinnias are vibrant flowers come in many compact and shorter varieties that love the heat,' says Laura Janney, founder of The Inspired Garden. 'Zinnias are available in a range of colors and textures and will bloom more the more you cut them. Plus, they're deer-resistant plants,' she adds.
You should deadhead zinnias after blooming to encourage further growth and more flowers. They do well in container gardens because they do best when well-drained.
Grow these colorful blooms in US hardness zone 2 to zone 11 using these zinnia seeds from Walmart.
A winner of the 2024 Houzz Design award, Laura has over 20 years of experience in gardening and working with clients designing beautiful gardens. She has also spent multiple years working as an indoor plant stylist and consultant, specializing in a wide variety of indoor houseplants and succulents, and designing container gardens. She is also a prolific writer, having authored numerous articles on houseplant care.
4. Echeverias
For lovers of Mediterranean gardens, having a sunny patio can work in your favor as many Mediterranean plants will do well here. Succulents like echeverias, for example, are great additions for summer patio planting.
These rosette-forming succulents come in a wide range of colors and shapes that mean you can find the right one to uplift your patio space. They're popular for creating outdoor table centerpieces, putting on an impressive when planted en masse.
To add to their desert-feel, you can pot echeverias up in terracotta planters. This will also aid essential drainage, thanks to the porous material of the clay.
They will do best in the warmer climates of US hardiness zone 9 to zone 11, and it's wise to bring them indoors for winter to provide these succulents with winter care.
Find echeveria plants from a range of suppliers, like this Echeveria Elegans from Nature Hills.
5. Lavender
Plenty of container plants for pollinators will also do well on a sunny patio, such as lavender. This purple flowering plant is a classic for sunny positions, blooming profusely during late spring and summer.
'When these plants flower, bees and other pollinators enjoy them greatly and they are so beautiful to look at when visiting your patio,' says Sarah Warner, greenhouse manager and plant expert at the Case Western Reserve University Farm.
Many varieties of lavender are drought-tolerant and will do well in a sunny spot across US hardiness zone 5 to zone 10. Take care to prune lavender to encourage further blooming and harvest lavender to use in the kitchen.
You can try growing lavender from seed with these lavender seeds from Gardening Know How.
Sarah Warner is a farm associate with the farm food program at the Case Western Reserve University Farm. She is a Lorain County Community College graduate with an associate degree in Sustainable Agriculture and is also certified in Permaculture Design.
FAQs
How can I create shade on my sunny patio?
There are plenty of ways to create patio shade so that you can sit somewhere cool during hotter days. Whether you choose the best low-maintenance trees for pots to create some canopies over your patio, invest in the best patio gazebos or umbrellas or even add patio curtains for pergola shade, you can still take advantage of a warmer patio without overheating during summer.
Having a sunny patio provides a whirlwind of opportunities for growing some of the most beautiful and bright plants throughout summer. From trees to flowers, there are so many plants to choose from that will work well in this space.
If you're looking for ways to extend your garden indoors, check out our expert guide to the best indoor plants for direct sunlight which will work well near south-facing windows.
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