The 18 Best Flower Bulbs to Grow in Containers for Lush Hanging Baskets, Pots, and Window Boxes
While you may associate bulbs with flower beds, these plants do well in containers as well. Providing season-long color, texture, and height, flower bulbs planted in containers offer an easy way to upgrade your outdoor space. You can fill entire pots with one species of flower bulb in different shapes and sizes, or plant annual flower bulbs to enhance perennial containers. But before drafting a design, the first step is to pick your flowers. Ahead, we’re sharing the best flower bulbs to grow in containers, according to our experts.
- PeggyAnne Montgomery, horticulturist and bulb expert for Flowerbulb.eu
- Adrienne Roethling, head gardener for a private estate and former curator of Juniper Level Botanic Gardens at Plant Delights Nursery
Calla Lilies
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Calla lilies (Zantedeschia aethiopica) are elegant flowers that come in various colors, including white, yellow, orange, pink, red, purple, and maroon, says PeggyAnne Montgomery, horticulturist and bulb expert for Flowerbulbs.eu. Short varieties of calla lilies are perfect for small pots that can be moved around your home or garden.
- Zones: 8 to 11, or grown as annuals in cooler zones
- Size: 12 to 18 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil
Gladiolus
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Gladiolus flowers (Gladiolus spp.) are becoming more popular amongst gardeners for their beauty and lovely smell. Their long stems add architectural interest to larger containers, while their fragrant flowers add a pop of color, says Montgomery. Even better? These plants attract butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden.
- Zones: 7 to 10, or grown as annuals in cooler zones
- Size: 36 inches tall x 12 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil
Coppertips
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The queen of the late summer garden, coppertips (Crocosmia) feature long, slim stems that add height and interest to any container of warm-colored plants, says Montgomery. Coppertips are available in shades of red, orange, and yellow, filling gardens with beauty for an extended period of time.
- Zones: 5 to 9
- Size: 36 inches tall x 18 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil
Tulips
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Tulips (Tulipa) make up about 15 different divisions, 75 species, and countless varieties, says Adrienne Roethling, head gardener for a private estate. These hardy plants grow well in containers and require very little maintenance. “Tulips can be placed in layers, meaning the largest bulbs should be placed 6 inches deep in the pot. Add some soil and place medium-sized bulbs next. Another layer of soil and top the pot with small bulbs,” Montgomery explains.
- Zones:Â 3 to 8
- Size:Â 9 to 24 inches tall x 6 to 9 inches wide
- Care requirements:Â Full sun; well-drained soil
Lilies
Lilies (Lilium) are a popular bulb to grow in containers, adding elegance to your garden or patio. While some varieties can grow quite tall, newer varieties have been bred for a smaller size and are perfect for containers, says Montgomery. Many varieties have a lovely fragrance and they should be displayed somewhere their scent will be appreciated.
- Zones: 4 to 8
- Size: 36 inches tall x 12 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil
Crocus
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Crocus flowers (Crocus spp.) are one of the first signs of spring. “Most crocus species and varieties bloom in late winter or early spring,” Roethling says. “Don’t be surprised if you see some color popping through a blanket of snow.” There are approximately 100 species and numerous varieties to choose from, available in colors of yellow, white, lavender, and purple. Grow them in containers with other spring bulbs, like tulips and daffodils.
- Zones:Â 3 to 8
- Size:Â 6 inches tall x 1 to 3 inches wide
- Care requirements:Â Full to partial sun; well-drained soil
Begonias
One of Martha’s favorite container plants, begonias (Begonia spp.) have showy blooms that look charming spilling over hanging baskets or pots. “They bloom constantly all summer until the cold weather sets in,” says Montgomery. “Whether you like soft pinks and yellows or bright oranges and reds, there is a begonia to match your outdoor décor.”
- Zones: 8 to 11, or grown as annuals in cooler zones
- Size: 12 to 14 inches tall x 12 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil
Pineapple Lily
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Pineapple lily (Eucomis comosa) brings texture, color, and height to any planting, producing tall flower stalks with a mass of star-shaped flowers. “I grow 20 or more containers in various sizes every year, and pineapple lilies are always in the mix,” says Montgomery. “When they are blooming, they get the prized place in the garden.”
- Zones: 10 to 11, or grown as annuals in cooler zones
- Size: 24 inches tall x 12 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil
Blazing Star
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Blazing star (Liatris) is a native plant with tall spikes of purple flowers that bloom from top to bottom, says Montgomery. Pair it in a container with butterfly weed and other natives to attract pollinators to your yard.
- Zones: 3 to 8
- Size: 10 to 30 inches tall x 12 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full sun; moist, well-drained soil
Alpine Violet
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Alpine violet (Cyclamen) boasts heart-shaped leaves and a rounded rosette that puts on a stunning display when it flowers, says Roethling. “There are a fair number of hardy cyclamen species that will tolerate being grown in containers,” she says. “Many garden enthusiasts will grow hardy cyclamen in terra cotta containers using a very fine gravel blend.” These plants love moist soil, so be sure to check if they need water every other day as containers dry out faster than in-ground beds.
- Zones:Â 4 to 9
- Size: 4 to 12 inches tall x 8 to 12 inches wide
- Care requirements:Â Partial sun; slightly acidic, well-drained soil
Dahlia
The darlings of the garden, dahlias (Dahlia spp.) look beautiful in container plantings. Taller varieties are best planted in the border, but there is a wide selection of shorter dahlias that are perfect for pots and containers. “They come in almost every color imaginable and work well in large groupings,” says Montgomery.
- Zones: 8 to 11, or grown as annuals in cooler zones
- Size: 12 to 24 inches tall x 12 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil
Canna Lilies
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Tropical canna lilies (Canna) are available in dwarf varieties that work well in containers. “If you have pots large enough for the 6-foot-tall varieties, go for it. They’re extremely beautiful and impressive,” says Montgomery. “For people without that much space, the dwarf varieties are outstanding. Deadhead to keep them blooming.”
- Zones: 7 to 10, or grown as annuals in cooler zones
- Size: 2 to 6 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
- Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil
Caladium
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Chosen by the National Garden Bureau as Bulb of the Year for 2025, caladium (Caladium spp.) is perfect for shady containers, says Montgomery. “The foliage will remain a show-stopper all summer long,” she adds. These plants prefer warmer weather, so wait until temperatures are between 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit to plant them in outdoor containers.
- Zones: 9 to 10, or grown as annuals in cooler zones
- Size: 12 to 18 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wide
- Care requirements: Partial to full shade; moist, well-drained soil
Lily of the Nile
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Lily of Nile (Agapanthus) adds pops of bluish-purple to containers. “I love growing Agapanthus because they remind me of being in the Mediterranean in the summertime,” says Montgomery. “They’re planted widely in Greece and love the hot weather.” Unlike many plants, these like to be crowded in their pots, so yearly replanting isn’t necessary—just overwinter the whole pot on a windowsill or unheated garage, Montgomery says.
- Zones:Â 7 to 11
- Size:Â 1 to 4 feet tall x 18 inches wide
- Care requirements:Â Partial sun; well-drained soil
Daffodils
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A beloved spring bloomer, daffodils (Narcissus) have cup and saucer-like flowers that often face down. “Like tulips, one will find early, mid, and late flowering varieties that will extend the daffodil season,” Roethling says. She recommends layering these bulbs in containers, with taller varieties in the back and smaller ones up front. Add a soil blend of compost or potting soil mixed with fine mulch between the layers for best results.
- Zones:Â 4 to 8
- Size:Â 6 to 30 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
- Care requirements:Â Full to partial sun; well-drained soil
Hyacinths
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Hyacinths (Hyacinthus orientalis) consist of a few species with thousands of recognized varieties. “In the garden, hyacinths typically bloom in mid-spring,” says Roethling. “It’s common to force hyacinths into bloom by bringing them out of dormancy before spring holidays.” To do so, take the bulbs out of dormancy six weeks ahead of their bloom time and plant them in containers. Gardeners love to place hyacinths in containers near doorways due to their lovely fragrance.
- Zones:Â 4 to 8
- Size: 8 to 12 inches tall x 3 to 6 inches wide
- Care requirements:Â Full to partial sun; fertile, well-drained soil
Ornamental Onion
Johnny Miller
Ornamental onion (Allium) is one of the largest plant groups in the world, and all varieties grow well in containers. “Onions possess grass-like foliage, giving rise to stalks of star-shaped flowers arranged in a ball,” says Roethling. “The colors include many shades of purple and white.” These plants give off a pungent odor that is great for keeping pests away.
- Zones:Â 4 to 9
- Size: 12 to 36 inches tall x 6 to 24 inches wide
- Care requirements:Â Full to partial sun; fertile, loose, well-drained soil
Amaryllis
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Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) is a seasonal bulb that performs best during the cooler seasons. “They are a popular Christmas bulb with their large trumpet to open-faced flowers,” says Roethling. “Colors come in shades of red, pink, and white.” These hardy plants can survive below freezing temperatures, so you can leave them on display even when it’s chilly outside.
- Zones: 7 to 10
- Size:Â 12 to 36 inches tall x 9 to 12 inches wide
- Care requirements:Â Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil
