Designing annual porch pots and planters can be super fun! They allow for endless creativity and really make a house feel like a home. I personally look forward to spring and summertime, when I can go plant crazy. Considering I live in a colder zone, spring, and summer are when I get to have the most fun and work with some really cool tropicals!

There’s no right or wrong way to do an annual porch pot or planter. Although, there are some really creative and simple guidelines to follow that will give you the perfect porch pot designs. The ‘idea’ is to have a Thriller, Filler, and Spiller. Following this guideline will help you achieve the beautiful porch pots you desire!

thriller

A thriller is a plant that gives you height. It’s normally in the center of the planter or, if it’s against a wall, towards the back center. It helps give the planter a vertical element and is something exciting to look at! This plant could be either a flowering or foliage plant.

thriller plants

Green Spike – Red Star – Ornamental Grass – Tropical Ginger – Coleus – Canna Lilly – Zinnia

filler

This is a plant that mounds. This ‘mounding’ plant gives the planter a full and rounded look. These plants would be placed around the Thriller plant or in front of it. It fills in the planter and gives you a bountiful design!

filler plants

Snapdragon – Petunia – Celosia – Gerbera Daisy – Impatiens – Marigolds – Geraniums – Dianthus – Dusty Miller – Diamond Frost

spiller

This plant trails or cascades down. To have them hang over the edge, place them around the perimeter of the planter. Usually, if the planter is seen from all sides, you would put trailing plants all around. But, if it’s against a wall or somewhere you’d only see the front, you’ll only need to place them towards the front of the planter.

spiller plants

Sweet Potato Vine – Purple Jewel – Wandering Jew – Calibrachoa – Cascading Petunia – Verbena – Alyssum – Snow Princess – Vinca Vine

share your creations!

These guidelines have helped me tremendously with the endless number of annuals to choose from. It quickly turned from something overwhelming to something that was exciting to create. I hope this has helped simplify designing your annual porch pots and planters. Share your creations on our More Plants Less Waste Facebook page!