11 Flower Box Ideas That Will Add Charm to Your Windows and Patio

Make It Monochromatic

For an elevated flower box idea that works in any space, opt for a selection of blossoms within the same color family. Try a purple motif by combining wisteria, coneflowers, and cheerful petunias—or dig into a yellow theme with daisies, St. John's Wort, and coreopsis. "Choose a color scheme that complements the exterior of your house or the surrounding environment," Hovis says.

Combine Cascading Ivy Varieties

Similarly, lean into a green theme by combining a collection of ivy that drips elegantly out of your window boxes. This is also a great way to get your ivy fix without too much hassle, since this plant is notorious for spreading quickly. "Grab your favorite variegated ivies and mix and match them," says Courtney Sixx, the founder of Bouquet Box. Try to get different sizes so they don't blend together and get lost in the box. It's best to layer these and keep the vines hanging."

Embrace Contrast

Another striking flower box idea is to put together plants that sit on opposite sides of the color wheel. According to Hovis, this creates visual interest and looks sophisticated and well-designed. Try combining bright orange poppies and tiger lilies with lavender and deep purple petunias, for example.

Go For the Rainbow

Why put boundaries on your beautiful flower box palette? Go ahead and pluck colorful plants across the entire rainbow. Create a design that evolves from red to purple from left to right for a gradient effect—or mix all the plants together for a playful explosion of color. 

Build a Mini Succulent Garden

If your window or ledge gets a lot of sun, build a dazzling succulent garden. "Succulents are long-lasting and easy to maintain, since they don't require much water or care," Hovis says. "You can do a beautiful, modern-looking arrangement with either a mix of many kinds of succulents or one mass of the same."

Keep them close together—succulents look better when tightly planted—and prune as necessary. (Bonus: Succulents are easy to propagate from cuttings.)

Create a Bird and Butterfly Paradise

Nurture your local ecosystem by planting native wildflowers and plants that attract pollinators such as birds, bees, and butterflies. Not only does this flower box idea look stunning on a porch or windowsill, but it creates a small paradise that protects native species and encourages biodiversity. 

Channel Desert Vibes With Cacti

Those who live in the desert know that keeping fresh flowers alive under the hot sun and dry breeze is challenging. Lean into arid climates by creating a modern-looking window or flower box filled with native cacti, making sure to choose a variety of types and colors to create dimension. Good options include the Old Man, Bunny Ear, Blue Torch, and Golden Torch.

Generally speaking, most cacti are slow-growing, so your window box can exist as-is for years to come. As your cacti mature, transplant them into your yard or another pot. 

Assemble a Fragrant Herb Garden

Herbs such as rosemary, basil, lavender, mint, and thyme offer both beauty and utility to a window box display. You'll love having fresh herbs at your fingertips and the cost-savings over the long run; just snip off a sprig or two as needed for any baking and cooking needs. The therapeutic fragrance is a wonderful bonus. 

Swap Out Plants According to the Season

Keeping the same plants alive all year long is tricky. Save yourself the worry by swapping out your flower window box display every four months. "The beauty of a window box is that it can change seasonally—and this is the perfect chance to play with annuals to brighten your home," Hovis says. She suggests the following: 

• Spring: Viola tricolor pansies are colorful and cold-tolerant flowers that thrive in early spring. They come in a variety of vibrant hues and can withstand cooler temperatures.
• Summer: "Geraniums are popular summer blooms known for their bright colors and long-lasting flowers," Hovis says. They're heat-tolerant and come in a range of shades. 
• Fall: Ornamental kale is a perfect choice with its deep, rich color and stunning and distinctive foliage.
• Winter: "I love using ornamental cabbage with its textured leaves and striking colors," says Hovis.

Mix Edibles and Flowers

A functional window box is a great way to combine beauty and practicality. Filling the box with a mix of edible plants like Swiss chard and kale with colorful nasturtiums and pansies creates a nice mix. Herbs like sage, lavender, and rosemary are also perfect for a window box when combined with verbena or geraniums.

Create a Drought-Tolerant Display

If you live in a warm climate or are looking for a low-maintenance window box, opt for drought-tolerant plants. Hardy picks like lantana, verbena, and dusty miller are well-suited for hot, dry weather. Top it off with a layer of mulch or pea gravel to help retain moisture and give a finished look.