If you're lucky enough to have a warm patio area that gets plenty of sunlight, you'll no doubt want to take advantage of the space and grow a variety of plants. A sunny patio is also a great place to entertain in the summer, so greening up the space will make it more inviting for your guests.
Luckily, there are plenty of patio ideas that can be adapted for a sunny patio. While the types of plants you can plant on a shady patio are limited, there are plenty of plants that thrive in sunny environments and can benefit from patio container plantings.
With so many options to choose from, where do you even begin? Look no further, here are the top 5 plants recommended by experts to grow on your sunny patio.
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5 Plants for a Sunny Patio
Sunny patio plants work especially well if you have a south-facing garden or balcony where your sun-loving plants can soak up the sun all day long. Here are some of the best plants for a sunny patio.
1. Citrus trees
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If you're a keen fruit and vegetable grower and are looking for a way to extend your garden onto your patio with beautiful edible plants, planting a citrus tree in a sunny spot is ideal.
“Potted citrus trees, such as lemon and lime trees, look beautiful on a sunny patio. These plants need full sun and thrive in warm climates,” says tree expert Evan Torchio, CEO of Tree Mender. “However, when temperatures are below freezing, make sure to bring citrus indoors,” he adds.
Citrus trees, including oranges, lemons, and limes, tend to grow well in U.S. plant hardiness zones 8 through 10, and there are a variety of potted citrus trees available that are suitable for patios, like this semi-dwarf Meyer lemon tree from Nature Hills.
During the summer, be sure to also fertilize your citrus trees to encourage a bountiful harvest.
Evan Torchio
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Tree Experts
Evan Torchio is a plant expert and CEO and founder of Tree Menders. He has a bachelor's degree in forestry and is a member of the International Society of Arboriculture. Evan offers advice on indoor and outdoor plants.
2. Rosemary
(Image courtesy of Getty/Nathan Griffith)
Many herbs require plenty of sunlight to grow longer, so why not turn part of your patio into an herb garden?One of the most popular herbs that thrives in full sun is rosemary.
Rosemary grows well in U.S. hardiness zones 8 and above, and new growth needs lots of warmth. It's also one of the most fragrant herbs out there, making it a great plant for filling your patio with delicious aromas.
Harvest your rosemary from a sunny patio to use in your cooking, and prune it to keep it growing lushly.
Find rosemary plants at your supermarket, like rosemary plants at Walmart.
3. Zinnia
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You might be worried that direct sunlight will burn the leaves and petals, but in fact, there are many flowering plants that grow best in sunny locations.
“Zinnias have vibrant flowers and come in many compact, low-growing varieties that love the heat,” says Laura Janney, founder of The Inspired Garden. “They come in a variety of colors and textures, and the more you cut them, the more flowers they'll produce. Plus, they're deer-resistant,” she adds.
Zinnias will continue to grow and flower if you remove the dead flowers after they have bloomed. They do best in well-drained soil, so they also do well in container gardens.
Grow these colorful flowers in U.S. hardiness zones 2 through 11 with zinnia seeds from Walmart.
Laura Janney
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Garden Expert
A 2024 Houzz Design Award winner, Laura has over 20 years of experience gardening and working with clients to design beautiful gardens. She has also worked for many years as an indoor plant stylist and consultant, specializing in a wide variety of indoor plants and succulents, as well as designing container gardens. She is also a prolific author and the author of numerous articles on houseplant care.
4. Echeveria
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Fans of Mediterranean gardens will have an advantage in a sunny patio, as many Mediterranean plants can thrive there. Succulents, such as the Echeveria, are ideal for summer patio plantings.
Rosette succulents come in a variety of colors and shapes, so you'll find the perfect one to jazz up your patio space. They're popular as outdoor table centrepieces and make a striking landscape when planted in large numbers.
For a desert look, try planting your echeveria in a terracotta pot, as the porous clay material helps with drainage.
These succulents grow best in the warm climates of U.S. hardiness zones 9 through 11. It is wise to bring them indoors in the winter for winter care.
Find Echeveria plants from a variety of suppliers, like this Echeveria Elegans from Nature Hills.
5. Lavender
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Potted pollinator plants such as lavender also thrive on a sunny patio. This purple-flowering plant is a classic for sunny locations and blooms from late spring through summer.
“When these plants bloom, they're a delight for bees and other pollinators, and they're also beautiful to look at when visitors are on your patio,” says Sarah Warner, greenhouse manager and plant specialist at Case Western Reserve University Farm.
Many varieties of lavender are drought tolerant and grow well in sunny locations in U.S. hardiness zones 5 through 10. Prune lavender carefully to encourage flowering and harvest lavender for use in the kitchen.
You can also try growing lavender from seed using lavender seeds from Gardening Know How.
Sarah Warner
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Plant Expert
Sarah Warner is a farm associate with the Farm Foods Program at Case Western Reserve University Farm. She graduated from Lorain County Community College with an Associate's Degree in Sustainable Agriculture and is certified in Permaculture Design.
FAQ
How can you provide shade for a sunny patio?
There are many ways to create shade on your patio so that you can sit in a cool place even on hot days. Choose low-maintenance potted trees to create a canopy for your patio, buy the best patio gazebos and umbrellas, or add patio curtains to shade your pergola, so you can enjoy a warm patio without it getting too hot in the summer.
Having a sunny patio gives you the perfect opportunity to grow the most beautiful and vibrant plants all summer long, and there are so many plants that are perfect for this space, from trees to flowers.
If you're looking for ways to extend your garden indoors, check out our expert guide to the best indoor plants for direct sunlight that thrive near a south-facing window.
