Planters are an essential element of any garden or outdoor space, but why is the color of plant pots important? What is the best color for flower pots ?
They can add a pop of color, texture, and shape to your garden and provide an ideal growing environment for your plants. One of the crucial aspects of selecting the perfect planters for your outdoor space is choosing the right color. The color of your planters can impact your outdoor spaces overall aesthetic and ambiance.
In this article, well discuss the factors you should consider when selecting the perfect color for your planters.
Flower pots allow us to cultivate beautiful plants and bring color and life to any outdoor space. But choosing the right colors for your pots and plants is key to creating a visually appealing display. The color combinations you use can make all the difference between a boring container garden and a gorgeous focal point.
After researching popular recommendations from gardening experts analyzing color theory and examining examples of successful plantings, I’ve identified the 10 best flower pot color combos for creating stunning container gardens that pop.
1. Red Pots with Lime Green or Chartreuse Plants
This high-contrast pairing is vibrant and eye-catching. The bold red pots sing against the electric brightness of lime green or chartreuse foliage. Some great chartreuse plants to try include coleus, sweet potato vine cultivars like ‘Margarita’ and golden creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’).
2. Orange Pots with Purple or Blue Blooms
On the color wheel orange and blue are complementary colors opposite each other. This creates visual interest and makes both the warm orange pots and cool blue/purple flowers stand out boldly. Some blue flowers that pop nicely against orange containers include lobelia pansies, iris, and salvias.
3. Yellow Pots with Violet or Fuchsia Flowers
Similar to the orange and blue combination, yellow and violet/fuchsia provide high-contrast through their opposing positions on the color wheel. The sunny brightness of yellow pots makes the rich jewel tones of violet and fuchsia flowers glow. Some options include violet asters, fuchsia impatiens, and trailing petunias in vibrant magenta shades.
4. White Pots with Brightly Colored Flowers
White pots act as a neutral backdrop that lets vibrantly colored blooms take center stage. Pair white containers with any bold shades like crimson red geraniums, hot pink petunias, fiery orange marigolds, or sapphire blue lobelia for pops of color.
5. Black Pots with Pastel Flowers or Gray/Silver Foliage
The darkness of black pots underscores lighter, more delicate shades like pastel pink roses, baby blue lobelia, buttery yellow daffodils, or silvery-gray ornamental grasses. The contrast creates an elegant, sophisticated look.
6. Green Pots with Red, Purple, or Multicolored Foliage
Green containers complement and blend in with vibrantly colored foliage, creating a cohesive, naturalistic look. Try pairing green pots with red or purple coleus varieties, tricolor sage, or rainbow chard.
7. Metallic Gold/Copper Pots with Blues, Purples, and Cool Greens
The warmth of metallic pots contrasts beautifully with cool-toned flowers in shades of blue, lavender, purple and leafy greens like mint or parsley. The opposing colors make each other pop.
8. Terra Cotta Pots with Warm Reds, Corals, and Yellows
The earthy, sunset tones of terra cotta pots bring out the best in hot colors like scarlet, orange, yellow, and coral. Try combining terra cotta with bold red geraniums, orange or yellow marigolds, coral salvias, or multicolored zinnias.
9. Blue Pots with White and Pastel Flowers or Gray Foliage
Cool blue pots complement soft pastel blooms and silvery leaves. Pair blue containers with whites like alyssum, baby’s breath, and daisies along with pale pinks, creams, lavenders, and grays for an understated, romantic look.
10. Purple Pots with Yellow, White, or Silver Plants
Regal purple containers pop against bright whites, sunny yellows, and cool silvers. Combine them with white petunias, yellow pansies, silver sages, golden creeping Jenny, or variegated hostas for an eye-catching display.
Beyond basic color combinations, also consider the style of your pots, the size and shape of your plants, and your overall garden design when selecting containers and plants. For small pots and plants, opt for bold, contrasting colors. In larger gardens, include pots in a mix of colors for visual interest.
By thoughtfully combining colors and textures, you can create stunning, lively flower pots that make your container gardens really stand out. Be creative and have fun with different color pairings to liven up your outdoor space with beautiful pops of color.
Consider the Plants You’ll be Using
The plants you plan on using in your planters can significantly influence the color selection. The color of your planters should complement the color of your plants and allow them to stand out. If you plan on using bright or bold plants, you can opt for neutral or subdued colors for your planters to provide a background and create a balance in your outdoor space. On the other hand, if your plants have a muted color palette, you can opt for brighter or bold colors to add a pop of color and create a focal point in your outdoor space.
Additionally, you should consider the shape and size of the plants youll use in your planters. Tall and slender plants such as bamboo or palm trees can create a vertical impact in your outdoor space and should be placed in tall and narrow planters. On the other hand, bushy or sprawling plants such as ferns or succulents can create a horizontal impact in your outdoor space and should be placed in broader and shallower planters. The color of your planters should complement the shape and size of your plants to create a harmonious and balanced outdoor space.
Assess the Surrounding Environment
Before selecting the color of your planters, you should assess the surrounding environment where you will place the planters. The color of your pots should complement the color scheme of your garden or outdoor space. For instance, if your outdoor area features a lot of greenery, a neutral or earthy tone such as brown, beige, or grey would be an ideal choice. On the other hand, if your garden features a lot of vibrant and colorful flowers, you can experiment with brighter hues such as red, blue, or yellow.
Moreover, you should consider the amount of sunlight and shade in the area where your planters will be placed. For example, if your outdoor space receives a lot of direct sunlight, then you should avoid dark colors such as black or dark blue as they tend to absorb more heat and can cause your plants to dry out quickly. Instead, it would be best if you opted for lighter or pastel shades, such as white or light blue, that reflect the suns rays and keep your planters and plants cool. Similarly, if your outdoor space is mainly shaded, then you can opt for brighter or bolder colors that can add a pop of color and create a focal point in your outdoor space.
6 Container Combinations to Love! // Garden Answer
FAQ
What color combinations are best for plant pots?
On our simple color wheel, complimentary colors are red and green, orange and blue, and yellow and violet. Complimentary colors create a ton of contrast and cause both colors to pop. Be sure to consider color intensity when using complimentary colors – you may not want to mix a soft orange with bright purple.
What colors of flowers go best together?
- Brings energy and excitement to a planting.
- Examples: blue and orange, yellow and purple, red and green.
- Use varying hues (shades of blue, for example) to keep it interesting.
What color should I paint my garden pots?
Color: Select a color that complements your space and supports plant health. Light colors reflect heat, keeping soil cooler, while dark colors absorb heat, keeping soil warmer.
Should all my flower pots match?
For such displays, it is important that the pots work well together — all being the same color or material, for example. Likewise, it is generally preferable to use fairly plain pots that do not shout for attention so that the eye is drawn to the individual plants.