If you are one of the lucky students in UV, you’ve got a patio. But it’s hard to figure out what to do with them. Everyone’s looks the exact same, your neighbor keeps putting cute string lights and maybe you’re feeling a little inferior, but decorations are expensive.
A more interesting option is container planting. You can easily pick up a large pot from Walmart for only $20 that you can easily fit a few species in, and here in Texas, there are tons of interesting colorful plants that will grow well. Bringing a little life to your apartment is easy if you know what you’re looking for! There’s just a few things to keep in mind.
Know your conditions.
Picking the right plants for your space is key to having low maintenance, healthy plants. Check and see if your patio receives full sun, partial sun, or full shade. Most covered patios will be partial sun, but if you live by a tree or in a particular area, you may be full shade or sun, respectively. Because we live in such a hot area, make sure the plants you are looking at are heat tolerant. In particular, look for plants that do well in Zone 8!
Additionally, know how much effort you are willing to put into your patio. Some plants will require frequent watering to stand up to the Texas heat, especially leafy and flowering plants, and some will thrive off of the dryness. Look for “drought resistant” if you are worried!
Do some research before you buy.
Websites like burpee.com let you sort plants by light level, zone, color, and ease of growth. This can be a great way to narrow down some options before you go to a store. But, if you are buying actual plants (instead of seeds), try to purchase them in person. Shipping can do its damage to the healthiest of plants.
That being said, don’t be afraid to go to a nursery and tell them straight up what you want, and what you don’t know. They’ll be happy to help, and they will surely know the plants better than you or the internet does. Just make sure you have accurate info on your patio so they can appropriately help you!
Stores such as Calloway’s and Plants and Planters are fantastic options.
A few suggestions:
Here are a few suggestions, with images! Shown left to right at the bottom.
Sweet potato vine comes in green and purple, survives heat easily, grows incredibly fast, and will climb whatever you give it, including your patio railing. They need partial or full shade.
Golden sword yucca is incredibly popular here, and once established, doesn’t die. Like ever. You’re stuck with this dude. If this yucca color doesn’t do it for you, there’s many other varieties. Yucca will do particularly well in full sun with other succulents with little water.
Nasturtiums and marigolds are heat and drought hardy flowering plants, both with many colors and varieties. Nasturtiums are a personal favorites, they come in a vine varieties as well.
Herbs such as basil, thyme, and lavender can grow well here if you pick an appropriate variety. If planted early enough in the year, these herbs will survive the winter and come back next year. Care requirements range greatly for herbs so make sure to check!
Gardening is as much using trial and error to learn your space as information, so don’t be too concerned if one of your plants goes a little awry. You’ll get the hang of it with time and end up with a unique, ever-evolving patio.
If you’re interested in doing more, keep an eye out for a patio garden event this semester, too!
by Caroline Lonneman
The Greenhouse Blog 