Using a Window Box This Spring

Using a Window Box This Spring

Spring is the perfect time to enhance the beauty of your home with the vibrant colors and greenery that come with window boxes. While most people associate window flower boxes with growing flowers, these planters can be used for so much more! From ornamental plants to herbs, fruits, and vegetables, window boxes can be the perfect spot for a variety of plants. Not only will they add beauty to your home, but they also offer functionality, expand your growing space, and allow you to experiment with different types of plants.

Here’s some reasons to consider using a window box this spring and which plants can thrive in them.

1. Maximize Your Space

Window boxes are a great way to add a garden to your home, even if you don’t have a yard. Whether you live in an apartment, a townhouse, or simply want to add some greenery to your windows, these compact planters offer the perfect solution. They expand your available growing space, and since they are mounted on the outside of your windows, they are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

2. Versatile Plant Choices for Any Environment

One of the biggest benefits of window boxes is their versatility. Many plants, beyond flowers, can thrive in them. Whether you live in a dry or humid area, or have more sun or shade, there are plants that will adapt well to your specific conditions. From ornamental plants that offer year-round beauty to herbs and vegetables that give you fresh flavors for your meals, you can create a unique and personalized window garden.

Here are some fantastic plants to consider growing in your window box this spring:

Ornamental Plants for Year-Round Beauty

Coleus Coleus is an easy-to-care-for ornamental plant that offers stunning foliage in shades of pink, purple, burgundy, and lime green. It thrives in full sun or shade, depending on the cultivar, making it perfect for various growing conditions. Coleus grows well even in crowded spaces, so you can pair it with other plants for a vibrant and colorful display.

Ivy Ivy has a classic, stately look that’s perfect for creating a cascading effect in your window box. It’s hardy and can tolerate cooler, darker conditions, making it ideal for homes with less sunlight. While ivy is low-maintenance, it’s important to trim it back to prevent it from growing too aggressively along walls or windows.

Ipomoea (Morning Glories) If you want a plant that loves the sun and can add some color and character to your home, ipomoea, also known as morning glories, are an excellent choice. These plants trail beautifully over the edge of window boxes, offering vibrant blooms in various shades like purple and lime green. While they’re not frost-tolerant, they’ll thrive in warm weather and make a stunning addition to your window garden.

Dusty Miller With its silvery-gray to almost white foliage, dusty miller adds a unique touch to any window box. This hardy plant thrives in both cool and hot temperatures and is perfect for homes in need of a neutral-colored accent. Dusty miller does well in full sun or partial shade and requires minimal care, making it a great choice for beginners.

Ornamental Grasses Ornamental grasses are a fantastic way to add texture and movement to your window boxes. These plants are incredibly versatile, drought-tolerant, and can thrive in both full sun and partial shade. Many ornamental grasses will continue to grow through the year, providing year-round interest. Additionally, they’re low-maintenance and easy to propagate, so you can fill several window boxes with just one plant.

Herbs, Fruits, and Vegetables for Function and Flavor

If you’re looking to add more than just beauty to your window box, herbs, fruits, and vegetables are a wonderful option. These plants are not only useful for cooking, but they also add a fresh and lively touch to your home. With the right care, you can harvest fresh flavors from your window box all season long.

Basil Basil is a summer favorite that thrives in full sun. This fragrant herb needs plenty of water but should not be overwatered. Growing basil in a window box gives you easy access to fresh leaves for your favorite dishes. Regular pruning will encourage healthy growth and prevent the plant from bolting.

Tomatoes If you love fresh tomatoes, you don’t need a full sized garden to grow them! Smaller tomato varieties like golden nugget and grape tomatoes can thrive in a window box, offering both flavor and vibrant color. They need plenty of sun and water, so place your window box in a sunny spot to ensure a bountiful harvest.

Peppers Peppers, both ornamental and edible, are another great choice for window boxes. Smaller varieties like chili peppers and ornamental peppers are compact enough for containers and can add striking color to your home. Peppers, like tomatoes, need full sun and regular watering to thrive.

Mint Mint is an incredibly hardy herb that grows well in a window box. It’s perfect for adding fresh flavor to teas, desserts, and savory dishes. Mint is also known for its ability to deter pests, making it an excellent companion plant for your other garden varieties. It thrives in sun or shade and is relatively low-maintenance, but be careful not to let it overtake other plants as it can be quite invasive.

Chives Chives are a perennial herb that grows well in window boxes and can survive even in cooler conditions. In addition to its culinary uses, chives produce beautiful pink or white blossoms in the spring. They are also tolerant of overwatering, making them perfect for beginners.

Conclusion

Using a window box this spring is an easy and effective way to bring a burst of greenery and beauty to your home. Whether you’re growing ornamental plants to enhance your home’s curb appeal or herbs and vegetables to add fresh flavors to your meals, window boxes offer endless possibilities. Plus, they’re a great way to maximize your available space and experiment with different plants.

If you’re looking for high-quality window flower boxes to get started, we offer a wide variety made from durable materials like copper and stainless steel. Our expert team is here to help you choose the perfect planter and guide you through the planting process. Visit our window box category page to shop now! 

Happy Gardening!