Top Picks for Blossoming Window Boxes
Bring some vibrant life to your home with eye-catching window box flowers! Whether you're dwelling in a busy city apartment or a serene countryside house, the perfect flower selection can turn your windows into stunning, colorful displays.
Picking the ideal flowers for window boxes requires considering aspects like sun exposure, climate, and your personal taste. With floral varietals like sweet alyssum, cascading plants, geraniums, petunias, and dusty miller, or the elegant fuchsias attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, you're guaranteed to find the perfect match for every window box location.
Top 10 Flowers for Window Boxes
1. Geraniums
These vibrant blossoms are available in shades of red, pink, white, and purple. The lacy foliage of ferns is an excellent complement for shade-tolerant geraniums. Easy to grow in a variety of settings, from window boxes and containers to traditional garden beds, they thrive in both sun and shade[1].
Geranium essential oil has been used for centuries to treat conditions like anxiety, depression, infection, and pain management[1].
2. Begonias
Tolerant of different light conditions, begonias are adaptable for your home - they can even handle dappled shade or full sun. These easy-to-care-for plants can be lovingly placed in winter boxes and containers[1].
Extracts from begonias may be beneficial for respiratory infections and skin diseases[1].
3. Creeping Jenny
often used in pots, window boxes, and containers, Creeping Jenny's stems trail over the edges. In a hanging basket, it's a great choice for thrillers or spillers when combined with upright plants. It can also cascade down banks or slopes[2].
Lysimachia, a traditional Chinese medicine, is used to treat gallstones and urinary bladder stones[2].
4. Ivy
English ivy is large-leaved and grows well in part shade areas. It’s characterized by its ability to attach itself to whatever it can to add beauty. watering moderately is key to keeping these plants thriving[2].
People take English ivy by mouth for various health benefits such as treating swelling and blockage of airway passages, lung disorders, gout, joint pain, and insomnia[2].
5. Alyssum
Need good air circulation? Sweet Alyssum is perfect for hanging baskets and large, upright containers. It doesn’t love being crowded in a garden bed with other plants[2].
Alyssum flowers have traditionally been used to treat colds, coughs, and abdominal pains[2].
6. Impatiens
These plants prefer cooler temperatures and partial shade. They have complementary, vibrant colors, making them an ideal companion for window box flowers[2].
Impatiens have been used as herbal remedies for the treatment of bee stings, insect bites, and stinging nettle rashes[2].
7. Bacopa
Enjoyed during the warm flowering season, Bacopa dies off with the first frost. It loves well-draining potting soil and requires evenly moist soil to thrive[2].
Bacopa has many medicinal benefits, including improving memory, treating anxiety, and benefiting heart function[2].
8. Fuchsias
Fuchsias need shade and moist earth. They attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, making them a great addition to any window box[3].
Health benefits of fuchsia include stimulating urination, thereby helping with water and toxin elimination, sodium level reduction, and blood pressure control[3].
9. Potato Vine
This shrubby climber tolerates extreme heat and blooms throughout the year. Wild potato vine is a perennial, and sweet potato vine is perhaps one of the most popular. It's a great green accent for window boxes[4].
Sweet potato vine leaves can protect the human body from oxidative damage, inflammation, aging, and hypertension[4].
10. Coleus
Coleus thrives in partial to full shade. It's easy to maintain and adds striking foliage to your window boxes[5].
Some herbalists use Coleus to treat people with psoriasis[5].
Bonus tips:
- Use a well-draining potting mix to prevent root rot and waterlogged soil[2].
- Ensure proper drainage by adding a layer of gravel at the bottom of the window box[2].
- Water regularly but avoid overwatering plants that are drought-tolerant[2].
- Fertilize regularly for healthy growth and blooming[2].
- Prune and deadhead regularly for continuous blooming and to maintain appearance[1][2].
When selecting your home-and-garden flora, consider incorporating vibrant geraniums, a staple for window boxes, as they grow well in various settings and thrive in both sun and shade. Or, opt for the bell-shaped fuchsias to attract hummingbirds and add an elegant touch to your lifestyle.