Find the Perfect Plants for Every Space

If you're a plant newbie or you're just looking for a few tips and tricks to find the best plants for your outdoor space, we can help. Here's what you need to get started.

Find Your Hardiness Zone
The plants and flowers that you select will largely depend on geography. Certain plants that might thrive in the Southwest won't grow in the Northeast, so it's important to know your hardiness zone. There are 13 zones. Zone 1 is Alaska and Zone 13 is in Puerto Rico. Once you learn your hardiness zone, we'll give you recommendations for the plants and flowers that'll do the best in your particular area of the country.

Plant Guide
Another helpful resource will be our comprehensive plant guide. Search by a plant name, plant tag code number or attribute. This can include the type of plant it is, the amount of light it needs, cold hardiness, bloom time, color, and more.

Learn how to read a plant tag for planting instructions.

Shade vs. Sun
It's important to select plants and flowers that work for your particular space.
Shade: Your area is considered shaded if you get less than 4 hours of sun per day.
Partial Sun: This means that you get at least 4-6 hours of sunlight a day.
Full Sun: If you get more than six hours of sunlight, that's considered full sun.

Don't let the lack of square footage deter you from making your balcony plant-tacular. You just need to get creative with what you have. As you're planning out your mini garden or green space, take advantage of the ceiling, the railing and walls. We've got a few ideas.

Vertical Gardening
Use a trellis or a slatted wall to hold pots filled with plants, herbs and flowers.

Learn how to create a vertical garden.

Railing Containers
These containers hang from the railing to hold trailing vines, plants, flowers and herbs.

Hanging Baskets
Utilize hooks and ceiling space to use hanging baskets filled with flowers, trailing vines and plants.

Deck Box Planters
If you have floor space that's against a wall or in a corner, a deck box planter is a great solution. They're usually made of metal or wood and have two to three shelves or tiers where multiple pots can be used.

Get more balcony garden ideas for small spaces.

If you have a deck, patio or screened-in porch, there's even more room and options to beautify your space. Decks and patios will typically get more sunlight than a screened-in porch, so look for plants and flowers that get partial to full sunlight.

Similarly to balconies, you can add vertical gardens, railing containers, hanging baskets and deck box planters to your outdoor space. Here are some other considerations.

Pots & Planters
Use pots in varying sizes and heights to create visual interest. Larger containers with small trees or flowers with trailing vines make an impact when paired on either side of the entrance.

Privacy Bushes & Trees
If you live in a townhome, condo or you have a home close to yours, consider adding bushes to planters or plant trees that create a natural privacy wall.

Groundcover & More
Add trees, plants or groundcover on your deck or patio border to bring color and texture to the space.

Looking for design inspiration? Check out these five ways to decorate your deck or patio with plants.

The options expand exponentially when you move to the backyard. Not only do you have more space, but you typically have more light than you would on a balcony or porch, so there's a lot to choose from. Select from groundcover, container gardening, hanging baskets, trees and flowers.

We also know that selecting plants for your backyard can feel overwhelming. so we're here to help. These articles and videos offer ideas and tips to get you inspired to start planting.

Choose the Right Trees, Shrubs and Vines for Your Landscape
12 Best Drought-Tolerant Plants For Your Landscape
Create a Backyard Escape
10 Easy Perennials Anyone Can Grow
Fast Growing Vines For Shade
Hillside Landscaping Ideas for Your Yard
6 Bulbs To Plant In The Fall For Spring Flowers

Whether you’re selecting a few herbs and hanging baskets for a balcony or planning for a larger backyard project, Lowe’s has the plants and garden tools to do the job right.

Before you begin, you’ll need to learn what your hardiness zone is, as well as the amount of moisture and light your outdoor space receives. This will help you pick the perfect flowers, trees, groundcover and plants for your balcony, porch, deck, patio or yard. Visit our garden center online or at your local Lowe’s.