These 28 Spiller Plants Provide a Finishing Touch for Containers (2024)

Gardening

Gardening Basics

Container Gardening

Bring Color and Texture to Your Garden With Cascading Flowers and Leaves

• 01 of 28

  Licorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare)

  

  Helichrysum is grown for its small, felt-like leaves. The most familiar is a soft blue-gray, but there are pretty variegated varieties, too. The stems grow upward and tumble down, making both a lovely backdrop and frame for the other plants in your container.

  • Name: Licorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 9-11
  • Light:Full sun
  • Soil Needs:Well-drained; otherwise tolerant
  • Water: Water regularly when top 1–2 inches of soil are dry

• 02 of 28

  Joseph's Coat (Alternanthera dentata)

  

  Alternanthera has small colorful leaves that will trail and cover your container with charm. As a foliage plant, it will require negligible care from you while still looking good all season.

  • Name: Joseph's Coat (Alternanthera dentata)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 10-11
  • Light:Full sun
  • Soil Needs:Moist, well-drained with neutral to acidic pH
  • Water: Water regularly when top 1–2 inches of soil are dry

• 03 of 28

  Sweet Alyssum (Alyssum maritimum)

  

  Sweet alyssum prefers cool weather, but you can keep it blooming in a container if you give it regular water. Alyssum doesn't really trail as much as it gently flows over the top of your container. It's a very tidy plant with a wonderful, honey-like scent.

  • Name: Sweet Alyssum (Alyssum maritimum)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
  • Light:Full or partial sun
  • Soil Needs:Moist, well-drained with neutral to acidic pH
  • Water: At least an inch of water weekly

• 04 of 28

  Trailing Snapdragon, Creeping Snapdragon (Asarina procumbens)

  

  Asarina has tubular flowers that resemble snapdragons. This is a short vine that will not just tumble out of your container, but it will ensnare itself in nearby plants—in the nicest of ways.

  • Name: Trailing Snapdragon, Creeping Snapdragon (Asarina procumbens)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 9-10
  • Light:Full sun, partial shade
  • Soil Needs:Rich, well-drained loam with neutral to acidic pH
  • Water: Drought-tolerant but ideally an inch of water weekly

  Continue to 5 of 28 below

• 05 of 28

  Bidens (Bidens ferulifolia)

  

  Bidens are in the aster family. They have small, daisy-like flowers that are most familiar in yellow but also are now available in pinks, white, and orange. They will drape over the sides of your container and are extremely heat and drought tolerant.

  • Name: Bidens (Bidens ferulifolia)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-11
  • Light:Full sun
  • Soil Needs:Well-drained with neutral to slightly acidic pH
  • Water: Drought-tolerant but ideally an inch of water weekly

  See Also

  21 Thriller, filler and spiller combos for stunning containers - GardeningWithoutGardeningThriller, spiller, filler – the gardening experts' secret for creating show-stopping containers27 Perfect Plants For Winter Container GardensThis garden designer's golden rule for choosing plants is the secret to making your containers look incredible every time

• 06 of 28

  Blue Star Creeper (Laurentia axillaris)

  

  Laurentia forms a froth of finely cut foliage with dozens of lavender-blue, star-shaped flowers. It adapts to all kinds of growing conditions. Although it blooms repeatedly, you will get more flowers if you give it a shearing in mid-season. You can do this in stages so that you are never totally without flowers.

  • Name: Blue Star Creeper (Laurentia axillaris)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-8
  • Light:Full to partial sun
  • Soil Needs:Moist, well-drained with neutral to acidic pH
  • Water: Drought-tolerant but ideally a half inch of water twice weekly

• 07 of 28

  Swan River Daisy (Brachycome)

  

  Daisy-like flowers in purple, blue, and white cover this profuse bloomer. And the lacy green foliage of swan river daisy is just as nice as its flowers. As the plant gets top-heavy with flowers, it will spill over the sides of your container.

  • Name: Swan River Daisy (Brachycome)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 9-11
  • Light:Full sun
  • Soil Needs:Well-drained with neutral pH
  • Water: Rainfall or an inch of water weekly

• 08 of 28

  "Million Bells" (Calibrachoa)

  

  Calibrachoa is related to petunias, but the flowers are much smaller. Don't let the delicate nature of this plant fool you; "Million Bells" will set what seems like a million flowers during the course of the summer. It has a lovely trailing habit.

  • Name: Swan River Daisy (Brachycome)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 9-11
  • Light:Full sun
  • Soil Needs:Well-drained with neutral pH
  • Water: Rainfall or an inch of water weekly

  Continue to 9 of 28 below

• 09 of 28

  Cup and Saucer Vine (Cobea)

  

  Cup and saucer vine is a graceful vine that can grow up on a small trellis or be allowed to drape and circle your container, weaving itself through the other plants. The bracts create the saucer that the cup-shaped flowers sit on.

  • Name: Cup and Saucer Vine (Cobea)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 9-11
  • Light:Full sun
  • Soil Needs:Moist to well-drained with neutral to acidic pH
  • Water: Water regularly, do not allow to dry out

• 10 of 28

  Creeping Zinnia (Sanvitalia procumbens)

  

  Although not in the same genus as zinnias, you will certainly notice the resemblance of the creeping zinnia to its namesake. As its common name implies, creeping zinnia grows outward and forms a dense mat that will spill over the sides of a container. It is covered in yellow flowers the entire summer.

  • Name: Creeping Zinnia (Sanvitalia procumbens)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-11
  • Light:Full to part sun
  • Soil Needs:Well-drained with acidic to slightly alkaline (5.5–7.5) pH
  • Water: Medium-moist soil conditions
    

• 11 of 28

  Glory Flower (Eccremocarpus scaber)

  

  Glory flower is an evergreen perennial vine in tropical climates, and it grows fast enough to be used as an annual in containers, where it will produce clusters of narrow, tubular, tri-colored flowers as it cascades over the sides.

  • Name: Creeping Zinnia (Sanvitalia procumbens)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-10
  • Light:Full sun to partial shade
  • Soil Needs:Rich, light, well-draining with neutral pH
  • Water: Rainwater is fine

• 12 of 28

  Annual Candytuft (Iberis)

  

  Candytuft is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 5–9 and makes a wonderful ground cover. In the confinement of containers, it blooms its heart out while covering the base of the vessel. It may overwinter if you plant it in your garden at the end of the season.

  • Name: Annual Candytuft (Iberis)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
  • Light:Full to partial sun
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained with acidic, neutral, alkaline pH
  • Water: Drought-tolerant but water young plants regularly

  Continue to 13 of 28 below

• 13 of 28

  Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomea batatas)

  

  Sweet potato vines have become garden staples as ground covers and especially as container plants. The leaves can be heart-shaped or almost oak-like. The choice of colors expands every year, from chartreuse to near black. Although the ornamental sweet potato isn't grown with the intention of harvesting the tuber, you will still end up with an edible vegetable at the end of the season—just maybe not as tasty as the varieties grown to eat.

  • Name: Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomea batatas)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 9-11
  • Light:Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained with acidic to neutral pH
  • Water: Drought-tolerant but ideally soil is kept consistently moist

• 14 of 28

  Ivy Geranium (Perlargonium peltatum)

  

  Perlagonium geraniums are classic container plants. The ivy form has smaller flowers but blooms just as abundantly as the upright form. Ivy geranium will spill over the edges of your container. And, like its upright relative, it can handle the heat and short periods of drought well.

  See Also

  Step-by-Step Guide To Filling A Container With Dirt For Container Gardening – AccessibleGardens

  • Name: Ivy Geranium (Perlargonium peltatum)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 9-11
  • Light:Full sun; tolerates light shade
    
  • Soil Needs: Rich, medium-moisture, well-drained soil with slightly acidic pH
  • Water: Drought-tolerant, let dry out between watering

• 15 of 28

  Lobelia (Lobelia erinus)

  

  The cascading form of lobelia comes in one of the truest blues you will find in the garden, and it will form a beautiful arch over your container. Unfortunately, this lobelia has a habit of not blooming when the weather heats up. You can try and overcome that with plenty of water and some partial shade, or you can be patient and wait for the weather to change.

  • Name: Lobelia (Lobelia erinus)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 10-11
  • Light:Full sun to partial shade
    
  • Soil Needs: Moist but well-drained soil with acidic to neutral pH
    
  • Water: Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy

• 16 of 28

  Parrot's Beak (Lotus berthelotii)

  

  Parrot's beak is a tropical evergreen that is planted both as a houseplant and as an annual in containers. The common name refers to the unusual look of the flowers. Parrot's beak takes hot weather in stride. Both the foliage and the flowers stay fresh and attractive.

  • Name: Parrot's Beak (Lotus berthelotii)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 10-11
  • Light:Full to partial sun
    
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained soil with neutral pH
    
  • Water: Water regularly

  Continue to 17 of 28 below

• 17 of 28

  Nasturtium (Tropaeolum)

  

  Nasturtium plants form a mounding tumble of lily pad–like leaves and bright, cheerful flowers. Although they prefer the cooler seasons, if kept watered, they should bloom all season. The entire plant is edible, including the seeds, and including some in your salad really makes it look fancy.

  • Name: Nasturtium (Tropaeolum)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 9-11
  • Light:Full sun
    
  • Soil Needs: Moist but well-drained soil with acidic, neutral, alkaline pH
    
  • Water: Prefer weekly watering

• 18 of 28

  Silver Spurflower (Plectranthus argentatus)

  

  Plectranthus is grown for its silver-gray leaves. It grows upright until it topples over from its own weight. Some varieties will flower, most notably "Mona Lavender," with spiky sprays of lavender blooms.

  • Name: Silver Spurflower (Plectranthus argentatus)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-11
  • Light:Full to partial sun
    
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained soil with acidic pH
    
  • Water: At least an inch of water weekly

• 19 of 28

  Fan Flower (Scaevola)

  

  Fan flower is an evergreen tropical plant with deep green leaves and odd little flowers that have petals only halfway around their center disks, giving them the look of a fan. Their light purple color blends well with most other plants.

  • Name: Fan Flower (Scaevola)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 10-11
  • Light:Full to partial sun
    
  • Soil Needs: Average, well-drained soil with acidic pH
    
  • Water: Occasional watering when soil is dry

• 20 of 28

  Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata)

  

  No relation to Rudbeckia, the black-eyed Susan vine is far more delicate. With tiny five-petal flowers in yellow, peach, or white, this vine will grow into a jumble and find its way through, over, and under the other plants in your container, quickly filling any empty spaces.

  • Name: Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 10-11
  • Light:Full to partial sun
    
  • Soil Needs: Loamy, rich, well-drained soil with neutral pH
    
  • Water: At least an inch of water weekly

  Continue to 21 of 28 below

• 21 of 28

  Verbena (Verbena peruviana)

  

  There are many verbena varieties, but the perennials will give you the most bang. They will bloom in their first year, in fact quite profusely. Although they are perennial, they tend to be short-lived, because they expend so much energy on flowering. They are also very heat tolerant.

  • Name: Verbena (Verbena peruviana)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-11
  • Light:Full to partial sun
    
  • Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained soil with neutral to acidic pH
    
  • Water: 1/2" to 1 inch of water weekly, tolerates some drought

• 22 of 28

  Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus)

  

  Vinca plants are often used as a flowering ground cover (such as Vinca minor), so it's natural for trailing over the sides of containers. If you want colorful flowers all season long, though, you'll want the Madagascar periwinkle, rather than Vinca minor, which blooms mainly in the spring.

  • Name: Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 9-11
  • Light:Full sun to partial shade
    
  • Soil Needs: Sandy loam with neutral to acidic pH
    
  • Water: Water when top inch of soil feels dry to the touch

• 23 of 28

  Wave Petunias (Petunia x hybrida)

  

  Wave petunias just keep getting better. They are such an improvement over the old-fashioned petunias that turned to mush after a rain and needed constant pinching and deadheading to keep flowering. Wave petunias spread out and down and flower without any effort from you, all season long.

  • Name: Wave Petunias (Petunia x hybrida)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 10-11
  • Light:Full sun
    
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained, moist soil with acidic pH
    
  • Water: 1-2 inches of water weekly, tolerates some drought

• 24 of 28

  Narrowleaf Zinnia (Zinnia angustifolia)

  

  You can't beat zinnias for heat tolerance and bold colors. The "Crystal" cultivar series of narrowleaf zinnias are slow spreaders and profuse bloomers. You can expect good powdery mildew resistance, too, as they pour out of your container.

  • Name: Narrowleaf Zinnia (Zinnia angustifolia)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:3-10
  • Light:Full sun
    
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained soil with a neutral pH
    
  • Water: Very drought tolerant

  Continue to 25 of 28 below

• 25 of 28

  Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

  

  Creeping Jenny's vibrant chartreuse leaves quickly spread their way throughout containers and gardens, which is why they're considered an invasive plant in some areas. But if you're looking for something to creep and sweep around thriller and filler plants, this is just the plant you need.

  • Name: Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:4-9
  • Light:Full sun
    
  • Soil Needs: Well-draining sandy, loamy, or clay pH with acid, alkaline, neutral pH
    
  • Water: Water regularly and do not let soil dry out

• 26 of 28

  Begonia (Begonia)

  

  Shade-loving and low maintenance begonias can bloom all summer long, giving you consistent color in your garden. They can be grown as indoor houseplants or outdoors during the summer where they're a vibrant addition as a spiller plant.

  • Name: Begonia (Begonia)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:9-10
  • Light:Partial sun to shade
    
  • Soil Needs: Moist, rich soil with slightly acidic pH
  • Water: Water thoroughly when top half inch of the soil is dry

• 27 of 28

  Fuschia (Fushcia)

  

  Hummingbirds and gardeners alike love the brilliant and dramatic Fushchia plant. The flowers have a teardrop-shaped bloom that dangles along its trailing stem, which makes it a gorgeous addition as a spiller plant. These plants prefer warm weather and shade, and will produce their stunning blooms when planted in the right conditions.

  • Name: Fuschia (Fushcia)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:10-11
  • Light:Partial shade
    
  • Soil Needs: Moist but well-drained soil with neutral to acidic pH
    
  • Water: Prefer moist, but not soggy soil and humid conditions

• 28 of 28

  Stonecrop (Sedum)

  

  Easy-to-grow stonecrop includes a broad variety of perennial species that, while they were originally found in rocky areas, now thrive across a wide range of zones. These low-lying spiller plants are sun-loving and drought-tolerant, and they often add a touch of vibrant green or color to container gardens.

  • Name: Stonecrop (Sedum)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:4-9
  • Light:Full sun to partial shade
    
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained soil with slightly acidic to neutral pH
    
  • Water: Drought-tolerant