23 Best Plants For Beautiful Window Boxes

Windows are a popular cultivation spot for urban gardeners. Due to their small size and efficient location, window boxes offer an additional growing space that even those without a balcony can use.

But the options for what to plant in window boxes can be overwhelming. From herbs to ornamentals and more, you need to pick plants that don’t mind confined spaces. Window boxes serve multiple purposes, from pure decoration to practical gardening, so you’ll need to pick plants that suit your needs.

In this article, we’ll look at 23 of the best plants for window boxes, no matter the purpose.

Herbs For Window Boxes

If you love to cook, you probably also love fresh ingredients. The best way to get fresh ingredients? Grow them yourself. And what better way than to have a supply of fresh herbs in a window box right outside the kitchen window?

Basil

	common name Basil
	botanical name Ocimum basilicum
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1–2′
	hardiness zones Annual in 2-11, perennial in 10–11

Basil is one of the most popular herbs to cook with, which makes it just as popular to grow.

If you are starting after the last frost before spring, you can plant the seeds directly into your window box. To get a head start on growing basil, you can start the plants inside a few weeks earlier. As with many of these plants, you will need moist, well-draining soil.

Trim the flowers off as they show up to increase the number of leaves you can use. This also preserves the flavor of the leaves.

Peppermint

	common name Peppermint
	botanical name Mentha × piperita
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1–3′
	hardiness zones 3–11

Peppermint is useful for more than just cooking. As many people know, garden pests often do not like the smell of peppermint. By growing mint in your boxes, you get a great herb to use in the kitchen and a way to keep pests away.

Use peppermint (and its oil) to make tea or other home remedies to help with congestion, digestion, or relaxation. You can also use it in many different desserts. This plant is beneficial on so many levels and it should thrive in your window box.

Thyme

	common name Thyme
	botanical name Thymus vulgaris
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12″
	hardiness zones 5–9

The thyme plant is similar to peppermint in that it has many useful applications. It has similar medicinal value, and it is also frequently used to season along with other kitchen herbs. You can use it in soups or stocks to bring out the flavors of the additional herbs and spices.

Thyme will not grow too tall in your window box and overwhelm your home’s exterior. It grows similar to a ground cover, which can help fill in a window box. 

Parsley

	common name Parsley
	botanical name Petroselinum crispum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1–2′
	hardiness zones Annual in zones 2–11

Although it’s considered by some to be an underutilized herb, parsley has so many culinary uses. Perfect in tabbouleh, chimichurri, and various soups and salads, you’ll be so happy you chose to grow parsley in a window box.

Because parsley is a host plant for the stunning black swallowtail butterfly, you don’t even have to eat it to get a sense of enjoyment from this voracious herb. It’s an excellent addition to container gardens of all kinds.

Anise Hyssop

	common name Hyssop
	botanical name Agastache foeniculum
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1–5′
	hardiness zones 3–9

If lovely blue and purple flower spikes match your garden aesthetic, growing anise hyssop in your window box is a great choice. The leaves of this plant lend a touch of anise or mint flavor to teas, depending on the variety you grow.

You’ll also have the added benefit of attracting bees and predatory insects to your garden.

Society Garlic

	common name Society Garlic
	botanical name Tulbaghia violacea
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1–2′
	hardiness zones 7–10

Perhaps you’re more interested in growing alliums for their sharp, spicy flavors. Society garlic is one of those perennial alliums that blooms lovely purple, white, or pink globe flowers in spring and provide you with those aromatic flavors you love. Bees love it too!

Take leaves at your leisure and enjoy them in soups. Remember to divide the tuberous roots occasionally to boost growth.

Calendula

	common name Calendula
	botanical name Calendula officinalis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1–2′
	hardiness zones Annual in zones 2–11

While it’s not an herb valued for its leaves alone, the colorful flowers and soft leaves of calendula offer any window box lovely orange blooms from summer to the first frost. If orange isn’t your favorite color, there are plenty of pink, yellow, white, and reddish varieties out there.

New gardeners can try growing calendula from seed to get a sense of what it’s like to cultivate tender perennial flowers in their garden.

Chamomile

	common name Chamomile
	botanical name Matricaria chamomilla
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1–2′
	hardiness zones Annual in zones 2-9

Growing chamomile right outside your window ledge is sure to bring some peace and calm to your kitchen. Add the flower tops to teas and baked confections, or cut them and throw them in floral arrangements.

This super cute flower is easy to cultivate, and especially suited for temperate climates. Its self-seeding nature means it may die back in frost, but these window box flowers will return in the following spring.

Ornamentals For Window Boxes

If you don’t want an herb garden, or you have one and you are looking to add additional window boxes, then these next suggestions are for you. Ornamental window boxes give your house a face-lift. Choose windows that are highly visible from the outside of your house to take advantage of the visual beauty these plants provide.

Iresine

	common name Iresine
	botanical name Iresine herbstii
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-5′
	hardiness zones 10-12

This plant looks gorgeous and adds some incredible color to the window box. Cultivars like ‘Blazin’ Rose’ have a bright red color and broad leaves that break up the green in your small garden. This plant can serve as an end cap to the window box or a perfect backdrop.

It will bloom in the spring and summer and help add color to the side or front of your house. It grows quite large, so plant this in a window box that can handle the growth. If there’s room, include a dusty miller to add some contrasting light color.

Licorice Plant

	common name Licorice Plant
	botanical name Helichrysum petiolare
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1–2′
	hardiness zones 9–11

While iresine brought a bright and unusual red to your window box, the licorice plant does something more subtle. This ornamental has small, fuzzy leaves with a brilliant silver color that grow along the front of your window box.

It serves as a great base as it overflows the front and sides of the planter. It stands out from the rest of the plants and helps fill in the gaps at the same time.

Angelonia

	common name Angelonia
	botanical name Angelonia angustifolia
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1–2′
	hardiness zones 9–11

Angelonia adds more color to your window box. It’s a tall narrow plant that has a brilliant purple hue. This color, plus its height and shape, will bring together the different plants in your window box. Bright purple blooms poking out above the rest of the plants offer the perfect finishing touch.

Angelonia is low-maintenance and survives dry conditions. Its scent will attract pollinators that can help your window box flourish.

Petunia

	common name Petunia
	botanical name Petunia × hybrida
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6–18″
	hardiness zones Annual in zones 2-11

Petunias bring vibrant and abundant blooms to window boxes. Their trumpet-shaped flowers come in a variety of hues. The ‘Shock Wave‘ and ‘Petite Charmer‘ cultivars are particularly well-suited for window boxes due to their compact growth habit and profuse flowering.

Petunias thrive in full sun and prefer well-draining soil, making them perfect for sunny window spots. With minimal care, you’ll enjoy a cascading display of colorful flowers that not only beautify your home but also attract pollinators like butterflies.

Coleus

	common name Coleus
	botanical name Coleus scutellarioides
	sun requirements Partial shade to full shade
	height 1–3′
	hardiness zones 10-11

When it comes to foliage plants, coleus is king! These plants have exciting and vibrant leaves found in pretty much every garden center. You have lots of options when it comes to color scheme and hardiness, as coleus is one of the most cultivated plants in the world.

It’s probably the best starter plant for newer gardeners on this list as well.

Lantana

	common name Lantana
	botanical name Lantana camara
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1–6′
	hardiness zones 8–11

Similar to coleus in its versatility is lantana. But, instead of just foliage, you have compound flowers that come in white, purple, yellow, red, or multiple colors in one. Plus, you do not need a green thumb to grow this one.

Lantana (especially native lantana) is another plant that brings in solitary bee species and butterflies, and it blooms from spring through the first frost. It is prolific, so look for a vining variety and be prepared to prune it regularly.

Marigold

	common name Marigold
	botanical name Tagetes spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6-18″
	hardiness zones 2-11 (annual)

Marigolds offer a range of warm tones and unique flowers that stand out in window boxes. These hardy flowers thrive in tough conditions, making them an ideal choice for gardeners of all experience levels.

Marigolds are also known for their pest-repelling properties. Their distinct scent can deter certain insects, keeping them away from your windows.

Cascading Plants for Window Boxes

Vining plants spill over the sides of window boxes and trail down, adding extra interest to the urban garden.

Sweet Potato Vine

	common name Sweet Potato Vine
	botanical name Ipomoea batatas
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4-6′
	hardiness zones 9–11

Growing a tuber in a window box? Is that even possible? Yes, it is. Though you might not get a huge tuber harvest, you’ll have a lovely and luscious sweet potato vine trailing over the side of the window box.

Like coleus, there are several choices of foliage color and shape to choose from. If purple isn’t your style, try a chartreuse sweet potato vine! Many sweet potato vines are well-adapted to high heat.

Butterfly Pea

	common name Butterfly Pea
	botanical name Clitoria ternatea
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 10′
	hardiness zones Annual in 2-11

In a similar vein, we have the trailing flowers of butterfly pea. This is another plant that produces flowers great in teas and cooking. The blooms add a lovely purple color to the teas they’re added to, and true to their name, they attract butterflies.

There are some purple and pink species, but growing a vine with stunning cyan blooms in your window box is sure to dazzle the eye. Pair it with a little dusty miller and you’re set.

Swedish Ivy

	common name Swedish Ivy
	botanical name Plectranthus verticillatus
	sun requirements Partial shade to full shade
	height 4″-1′
	hardiness zones 10-11

This mint family member has snapdragon-like flowers that come in whites and pinks. The leaves are leathery, round, and toothed, which adds variety to the vertical garden.

If you like growing this plant, you can easily propagate it via cuttings, and plant it in your other window boxes.

Burros Tail

	common name Burros Tail
	botanical name Sedum morganianum
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 2′
	hardiness zones 10-11

We certainly love succulents, which is why we couldn’t leave out burros tail! The plush spiraling leaves of this plant work well in hanging baskets and window boxes alike. Especially suited to gardeners in arid climates, you can back your front xeriscape garden with window boxes full of trailing sedum plants.

In optimal climates, you’ll even have a few of the unique red burros tail flowers in summer. In hot regions, plant it in a north-facing window box.

Nasturtium

	common name Nasturtium
	botanical name Tropaeolum majus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-5′
	hardiness zones Annual or perennial in zones 9–11

You may already be growing nasturtium alongside your container garden full of potted plants, but did you know there are vining varieties that work well in window boxes? Try the vibrant ‘Purple Emperor’ for large, regal flowers.

Not only will you have a place to rest your eyes, but you’ll also have peppery flowers to add to your salads. You can even try planting multiple types of these sun-loving flowers in each of your window boxes.

Black Eyed Susan Vine

	common name Black Eyed Susan Vine
	botanical name Thunbergia alata
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6-8′
	hardiness zones 9-11

This plant is sure to please any gardener with its fast growing habit and plentiful flowers and foliage. That being said, get ready to prune this baby, so you don’t have it propagating at the ground below your window box.

The buds of this plant are lovely. But be careful growing it in tropical and subtropical regions, as it is invasive in some states.

Peppercorn Plant

	common name Peppercorn Plant
	botanical name Piper nigrum
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 10′
	hardiness zones 9-11

Yet another edible plant that grows nicely in window boxes is the peppercorn plant. Not only do tropical gardeners get the benefit of gorgeous vertically veined leaves, but they can also harvest their own peppercorns!

The only thing to look out for with this plant is a lack of space. Ensure you’re dividing it regularly to stop it from outgrowing your window box.

Strawberries

	common name Strawberries
	botanical name Fragaria × ananassa
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6–12″
	hardiness zones 3–11

Strawberries offer both aesthetic appeal and a delicious harvest. Growing strawberries in a window box keeps them off the ground, reducing the risk of pests and making them easier to pick.

Opt for everbearing varieties to enjoy a continuous supply of berries throughout the growing season. Use them as you pick them to eat fresh or add to your fruit salad.