Flower pots allow us to cultivate beautiful plants and bring color and life to any outdoor space. But choosing the right colors for your pots and plants is key to creating a visually appealing display. The color combinations you use can make all the difference between a boring container garden and a gorgeous focal point.
After researching popular recommendations from gardening experts analyzing color theory and examining examples of successful plantings, I’ve identified the 10 best flower pot color combos for creating stunning container gardens that pop.
1. Red Pots with Lime Green or Chartreuse Plants
This high-contrast pairing is vibrant and eye-catching. The bright lime green or chartreuse plants really stand out against the bright red pots. The coleus plant, sweet potato vine varieties like “Margarita,” and golden creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’) are all great chartreuse plants to try.
2. Orange Pots with Purple or Blue Blooms
On the color wheel, orange and blue are opposites that go well together. This makes the flowers and pots look interesting and makes the warm orange pots and cool blue/purple flowers stand out. Lobelia pansies, iris, and salvias are some blue flowers that look great in orange containers.
3. Yellow Pots with Violet or Fuchsia Flowers
Similar to the orange and blue combination, yellow and violet/fuchsia provide high-contrast through their opposing positions on the color wheel. The sunny brightness of yellow pots makes the rich jewel tones of violet and fuchsia flowers glow. Some options include violet asters, fuchsia impatiens, and trailing petunias in vibrant magenta shades.
4. White Pots with Brightly Colored Flowers
Blooms in bright colors stand out against white pots, which keep the background simple. For pops of color, put crimson red geraniums, hot pink petunias, fiery orange marigolds, or sapphire blue lobelia in white containers.
5. Black Pots with Pastel Flowers or Gray/Silver Foliage
The darkness of black pots underscores lighter, more delicate shades like pastel pink roses, baby blue lobelia, buttery yellow daffodils, or silvery-gray ornamental grasses. The contrast creates an elegant, sophisticated look.
6. Green Pots with Red, Purple, or Multicolored Foliage
Green containers complement and blend in with vibrantly colored foliage, creating a cohesive, naturalistic look. Try pairing green pots with red or purple coleus varieties, tricolor sage, or rainbow chard.
7. Metallic Gold/Copper Pots with Blues, Purples, and Cool Greens
Metal pots are warm, but flowers in cool tones like blue, lavender, and purple, as well as leafy greens like mint or parsley, look great with them. The opposing colors make each other pop.
8. Terra Cotta Pots with Warm Reds, Corals, and Yellows
The earthy, sunset tones of terra cotta pots bring out the best in hot colors like scarlet, orange, yellow, and coral. Try combining terra cotta with bold red geraniums, orange or yellow marigolds, coral salvias, or multicolored zinnias.
9. Blue Pots with White and Pastel Flowers or Gray Foliage
Cool blue pots complement soft pastel blooms and silvery leaves. Pair blue containers with whites like alyssum, baby’s breath, and daisies along with pale pinks, creams, lavenders, and grays for an understated, romantic look.
10. Purple Pots with Yellow, White, or Silver Plants
Regal purple containers pop against bright whites, sunny yellows, and cool silvers. Combine them with white petunias, yellow pansies, silver sages, golden creeping Jenny, or variegated hostas for an eye-catching display.
Beyond basic color combinations, also consider the style of your pots, the size and shape of your plants, and your overall garden design when selecting containers and plants. For small pots and plants, opt for bold, contrasting colors. In larger gardens, include pots in a mix of colors for visual interest.
By thoughtfully combining colors and textures, you can create stunning, lively flower pots that make your container gardens really stand out. Be creative and have fun with different color pairings to liven up your outdoor space with beautiful pops of color.
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