Sun-loving flowering plants add drama, color, and a sense of tranquillity to your outdoor life. Dine alfresco surrounded by the trumpet-shaped blooms of mandevilla, or catch some winkies under the umbrella, smelling the sweet fragrance of jasmine. It takes a little effort to decorate your deck with patio plants, and caring for them could not be easier! Learn how to care for and grow outdoor flowering plants.
Light
The more light you can provide your flowering outdoor plants, the better. Try placing them in direct sunlight to encourage them to bloom! Full sun is ideal for keeping your colorful patio hanging baskets, containers, and planters lush. Shade and reduced light will reduce flower production and cause the plant to become thin and leggy.
Water
Flowering plants like jasmine, mandevilla, and hibiscus require constant watering outdoors in containers or hanging baskets. The soil should only be allowed to dry out partially, as this can cause leaf and flower buds to drop. When planted outdoors for the summer, you will water it daily as the warm temperatures and wind will dry out the soil faster than indoors! Keep an eye out for dry soil and water the soil slowly to give the soil time to absorb the moisture. Soak all soil areas evenly and ensure all the water drains from the pot. The roots should never sit in a puddle of water as this will cause root rot.
Soil
It all starts and ends with the soil. Use a potting soil rich in organic matter that drains well but not excessively. The roots need time to absorb the moisture from the soil, but not so much time that the roots can drown! You can use any reputable soil mixture containing organic composted material.
Temperature
The warmer it is, the more likely they will continue to bloom but beware of extreme periods of heat as this can dry out the soil very quickly! Moving it to a shady spot during heat waves prevents excessive moisture loss! These tropical flowering plants do not like cold temperatures and are susceptible to frost and cool air under 60°F. Bring your flowering plants inside during cold spells or in the fall before the nightly temperatures fall below 50°F.
Humidity
Flowering patio plants love moist air, and if you live in an area with high humidity all year or during the summer, your plants will love you!
Fertilizer
Yes, you should fertilize all of your flowering container plants all growing season! Feed them with a complete liquid fertilizer diluted to ¼ strength once a week. We recommend watering them first before you use a diluted liquid fertilizer. You can apply slow-release fertilizers or nutrient-rich compost at the beginning of the growing season! If you use a granular or compost fertilizer, water the plant after fertilizing it.
Growth Rate
Most flowering patio plants are fast-growers in favorable environments (see above instructions!). Feel free to prune them back to keep them from taking over your yard!
Pet Friend or Foe
Most flowering patio plants are toxic to pets, so research any plant you bring into your home or garden!
Pro Tips
- Rotate your flowering plants to give all sides equal access to the light.
- If you bring your plants outside after a long winter, prune them back hard in the early spring. Flowering plants need an adjustment period when you are drastically changing their environment!
- Deadhead or remove any spent blooms to encourage more flowers!
- If propagating is your thing, take cuttings from the hardwood, dust them with a rooting hormone, and keep the soil moist and warm. You can expect (fingers crossed) to see roots within 3-4 weeks!