We hate to play favorites, but these easy-to-grow and gorgeous outdoor plants are definitely our faves to create a green and lush patio space!
With spring in full swing, it’s difficult not to give your porch a happy little makeover where you can hang out with your family or friends. It’s your home’s second living room where you can enjoy the good weather days. Plus, spending time outdoors, is even more relaxing when you add gorgeous outdoor plants. When choosing outdoor plants, it’s important to pay attention to how much sun your patio receives at different times of the day. Also, read plant labels carefully when buying plants.
Full shade means your outdoor space receives less than an hour or two of sun every morning. While full sun means more than six hours and part sun is more or less six hours, as well. Remember, shade-loving outdoor plants cannot thrive under the heat, and sun-loving outdoor plants cannot thrive in the shade. Additionally, check your USDA Hardiness Zone. Some outdoor plants might not survive winter in your region.
With all that in mind, here are our favorite easy-to-grow and gorgeous outdoor plants to transform your outdoor space or patio into a green and lush oasis.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is one of the most popular indoor or outdoor plants to grow because it’s easy to take care of, especially for busy and forgetful plant owners. It provides aid for burns, cuts, other irritations, and treating sunburns. An average Aloe Vera plant can grow one to two feet tall, but it can reach up to three feet in height. It needs a bright, sunny spot in your home and very little water to flourish. It’s best to plant your Aloe Vera in a cactus-potting soil mix.
Sunlight: Aloe Vera prefers bright light for at least six to eight hours every morning. The leaves of your Aloe Vera plant will drop downwards if it does not receive enough light.
Water: As a rule of thumb, water your Aloe Vera plant only when the soil is completely dry. Be sure to completely wet the soil and let the water flow freely from the bottom of the planter.
Omysa Plant Care Tip: One of the secrets in keeping this plant happy and healthy is to ignore it from time to time.
Bird of Paradise
Bird of Paradise can be found anywhere in Southern California. You might mistake it for a banana tree. Bird of Paradise, also known as the Crane Flower because of its three bright orange petals and three blue petals that are joined together into a single bud. As the flower blooms, it creates a shape similar to a tropical bird in flight.
Sunlight: It needs very bright sunlight since it grows the best & blooms the most under this condition.
Water: Bird of Paradise do best with a regular watering schedule. During spring and summer, keep the soil moist. Less water in the fall and winter. Water that has a high salt content could burn the leaves. A solution for this is to use rainwater or distilled water.
Omysa Plant Care Tip: Remember to relocate your Bird of Paradise plant to different parts of your home as the seasons change to provide it with the appropriate light it needs.
Boston Fern
Boston Fern is one of the outdoor plants that doesn’t have high sunlight needs. It’s a fairly slow-growing plant that’s planted during fall or spring.
Sunlight: Boston Fern does best in bright, indirect light. Make sure to avoid direct sunlight since it can burn the leaves.
Water: Keep the soil lightly moist at all times.
Omysa Plant Care Tip: Boston Fern requires high humidity levels of above 80% to survive. Increase the humidity by placing it on a tray filled with water and pebbles and regularly misting.
Cactus
Cacti and succulents are very common outdoor plants that can survive in dry environments. Cactus grow best in high temperatures, lots of light, and low moisture. It’s best to recreate their natural habitat, as well.
Sunlight: It’s best to place cactus in a bright place where it can get four to six hours of sunlight.
Water: Water cactus at least once a week during spring and summer. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between each watering.
Omysa Plant Care Tip: Be careful not to put cactus under direct sunlight as this can make the plants turn yellow.
Croton
Croton is one of the best and charming outdoor plants because of its bold and bright foliage. To maintain its colorful leaves, you should choose the right location for your Croton plant where it will receive the right type of sunlight. The Croton has a reputation for being fussy and high maintenance, and that’s because they tend to make a bad first impression, especially for new owners. We have heard stories that the Croton has lost some of its foliage in its new home. Don’t be shocked if this happens because it’s normal Croton behavior. Once your Croton plant has adjusted, and you have provided proper care, it will flourish and prove to be a resilient plant.
Sunlight: Croton plant requires six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day to maintain and produce its gorgeous foliage.
Water: Watering a Croton plant depends on the situation. It can be daily or weekly because you should never let the soil stay dry for an extended period. However, check if the soil is dry before watering to avoid overwatering and root rot. Keep your Croton plant evenly moist in the summer.
Omysa Plant Care Tip: Avoid moving your Croton plant as much as possible to prevent shock and falling leaves.
Elephant Ear
Elephant Ear plants got their name from the gigantic size of their elephant ear-shaped leaves. Elephant Ear plants won’t survive the cold, so make sure to dig them up each fall.
Sunlight: It needs bright, indirect sunlight. Too much sunlight can burn the leaves.
Water: Keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy.
Omysa Plant Care Tip: Elephant Ear plants are toxic to humans and pets.
Fiddle Leaf Fig
Fiddle Leaf Fig is considered to be one of the fussiest outdoor plants since it requires extra attention to keep it alive and healthy.
Sunlight: Fiddle Leaf Fig loves sunlight! It prefers lots of sunlight for food production. Put it near a sunny, east-facing area where it can take in lots of bright, indirect light.
Water: Water only when the soil is completely dry. Use lukewarm water and soak the entire top area of the soil. After that, wait for the water to drain down and then fill it again. Make sure your container completely drains each time you water your Fiddle Leaf Fig.
Omysa Plant Care Tip: Rotate your plant once a month when you notice its foliage leaning towards the sun. This will help your Fiddle Leaf Fig grow straight and balanced. Also, it’s best to clean the leaves with lukewarm water every week to keep them free of dust and to ensure that their giant leaves absorb and photosynthesize light efficiently.
Hydrangea
Hydrangea flowers bloom in spring and summer. They are fairly easy to grow and can reach up to 15 feet in height. Hydrangea flowers grow in Hardiness Zones 3 to 7 as perennials.
Sunlight: Hydrangea prefers full sun in the morning, and partial sun throughout the day.
Water: Water 3 times a week to encourage root growth throughout the growing season.
Omysa Plant Care Tip: Keep the soil cool and moist by adding mulch underneath.
Majesty Palm
The Majesty Palm is a great addition to your outdoor space. It’s the perfect plant to fill an empty corner. Plus, it’s low maintenance, and tough to kill.
Sunlight: The Majesty Palm prefers bright indirect light, but it can tolerate medium indirect light.
Water: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Omysa Plant Care Tip: Plant in a potting mix that provides lots of drainage.
Stromanthe Triostar
The Stromanthe Triostar is a tropical plant famous for its full variegate green-and-white leaves that glows with pinkish hues. It requires a bit of TLC to keep it happy and healthy. Additionally, it needs highly filtered light and a humid environment to look its best since it’s native to the jungles of Brazil. With the right amount of care, this plant can grow 2 to 3 feet in height and 1 to 2 feet across. Adding a Stromanthe Triostar will definitely create a dreamy tropical vibe to your outdoor space!
Sunlight: Stromanthe Triostar grows best under indirect light, so it’s best to place your plant in a warm, well-lit spot. Never put your Stromanthe Triostar under direct sunlight.
Water: Keep the soil slightly damp, but not soggy. Water your Stromanthe Triostar when the top inch of the soil is dry.
Omysa Plant Care Tip: Stromanthe Triostar love moisture and humidity, so it’s best to mist it every day.
Whether you have a large or tiny patio, these outdoor plants can instantly add beauty to your outdoor space!
Check out our Plant Care blog to learn more about different houseplants and tips on how to keep your plants alive and healthy.
Whatever houseplant you choose to transform your home into a lively oasis, you’ll definitely need a stylish planter to display your plant baby in. No matter what your style, there’s an Omysa planter that will be perfect with your garden and home’s décor. From ceramics to fiberstone, check out Omysa’s Shop and add it to your cart!
