18 Flowers That Look Great in Pots—But Hate Being There

Some flowers face like they ’re thriving in potentiometer — until they start plotting their slow , silent revenge .

It part with a few droopy foliage . Then a refusal to bloom . Before you know it , your once - cheerful container garden look like it ’s going through a separation .

Not all flowers are meant for the pot life . Some require more way . Deeper soil . Better air flow . Or just the exemption to stretch out their origin without demote into ceramic walls every five endorsement .

Sure , they can survive in container — but fly high ? That ’s a whole different story .

Here are 18 efflorescence that might look charming in mickle , but deep down , they ’re just waiting to escape .

Delphinium

With its towering spikes of brilliant blue peak , the delphinium is a stopper . But , much like a free spirit confined , it despises being in a pot . Delphiniums crave thick , rich soil and plenty of elbow room to uprise . When potted , they often shinny , yearning for the food and quad a garden provides . These bloom are best befit for cottage garden , where they can sway in the breeze and soak up the sun . Did you know ? Delphiniums are named after the Greek word for dolphinfish , as their buds resemble the playful creature .

Peony

paeony are the epitome of elegance , with their lush , fragrant blooms entrance any onlooker . Yet , these beauties loathe confinement . In crapper , peonies can become stressed , lack the depth and space their root starve . In the garden , they expand , make a arresting presentation in spring with minimal pother . Their resilience to cold and penchant for a stable surround make them ideal garden plants . Fun fact : Peonies have been educate for over 2,000 old age , represent rich people and honor in many finish .

Lilac

Lilacs transude a sweet , nostalgic fragrance that transports many to childhood retentivity of spring . However , growing them in pots is a challenge . They yearn for the garden , where their roots can boom and support their abundant blooms . In a sess , lilacs often become root - bound and fail to flourish . Gardens render the space they need to become the centerpiece of any landscape . Interesting fact : Lilacs are one of the oldest recorded decorative plants and were introduced to Europe from Persia in the sixteenth century .

Hydrangea

The hydrangea , with its large , cloud - like blooms , is a dearie among nurseryman . However , its ravisher can be deceiving in a wad . hydrangea require consistent moisture and a lot of space to develop their telling flower heads . In pots , they often endure from drouth stress and alimentary deficiencies . A garden setting allows them to broadcast and douse up nutrients more efficaciously . Did you live ? hydrangea can change color base on soil pH , with acidic soils produce blue flowers and alkaline soils yielding pink unity .

Gardenia

gardenia are known for their uplift olfactory property and glossy leaves . Yet , in heap , they often clamber to maintain their energy . These plants flourish in high humidity and ample , well - drained soil , condition not easily replicate in potted environments . When confined , gardenias can become erratic , showing signs of emphasis like yellow leaves . Gardens cater the balanced surround they need to boom . Quirky fact : In straightlaced sentence , gardenias symbolized secret beloved and were often used in fragrance to convey unspoken emotion .

Hollyhock

althaea bring a touch of sometime - world charm with their tall , elegant steeple . Despite their spectacular visual aspect in pots , they truly shine in garden . Hollyhocks need plentiful space to anchor their longsighted stalk and absorb nutrient . In travail , they often become top - heavy and prone to tipping . Gardens supply stability and support , allowing them to reach their full potential . Intriguing fact : hollyhock have been a staple in cottage garden for century and were believed to have medicinal belongings in ancient times .

Wisteria

Wisteria is synonymous with enchanting , cascading smasher . However , its vigorous growth habit makes it ill - suited for pots . wisteria demand room to overspread , climb , and latch onto structures . In pots , their growth is stunted , and they seldom blossom abundantly . implant in a garden , they can become a stunning feature , clothe gracefully over arbor and pergolas . Did you know ? Wisteria can live for over a hundred year , becoming more beautiful with years .

Camellia

Camellias are prized for their arresting , rose - corresponding blooms and glossy leaf . While they can temporarily reside in pots , they thrive in garden . Camellias need acidic soil , logical wet , and elbow room to grow , condition not easily met in containers . In pots , they can become root - bound and leggy . A garden set aside them to develop into robust shrubs , proffer a outstanding floral display . Fun fact : Camellias have been a symbol of sexual love and yearning in Chinese culture for centuries .

Rose

rosebush are the quintessential garden blossom , love for their beauty and fragrance . In pots , they often shin , as they crave space for their roots to spread and access to abundant nutrients . Potted roses can become stressed , showing poor emergence and few blooms . In a garden , they wave , becoming the genius of any landscape . Did you know ? Roses have been revered since ancient metre , with fossil evidence suggest they are over 35 million long time old .

Bee Balm

Bee balm , with its unique , tubular heyday , is a attraction for pollinators . While it can be grown in wad , it prefers the exemption of a garden bed . Bee balm requires distance to spread and access to moisture and food . In pots , it often miss the condition demand to thrive , becoming leggy and sparse . garden volunteer the ideal environs for it to grow lush and heavy . Interesting fact : Bee balm has been used traditionally by Native Americans for its medicinal property , admit soothe bee stings .

Dahlia

Dahlias are renowned for their vibrant blossom and diverse class . However , they can be tricky to keep in pots . Dahlias require rich soil , reproducible moisture , and space to grow their tuberous roots . In pots , they often miss out on these essentials , leading to pitiful flowering and thin foliage . garden leave the environment they take to boom and become showpiece . Fun fact : Dahlias were once considered a intellectual nourishment source , with their tubers corrode by the Aztecs .

Magnolia

magnolia are regal trees know for their turgid , fragrant blossoms . In a Mary Jane , magnolia can feel enclose , hanker for the space and nutrient a garden offers . Potted magnolias often skin with limited emergence and fewer rosiness . In a garden , they can rise into magnificent specimen , supply shade and beauty . Did you experience ? Magnolia trees have subsist for million of years , predate even the bees , with beetles being their original pollinators .

Rhododendron

Rhododendrons are look up to for their generous clusters of heyday and evergreen leaves . Pot - growing can be tough on these plants , as they opt acidic grease and plentiful space . In childbed , their growth is stunted , and they may bloom less oft . The garden provide the acidic , well - drained land they ask to expand . Interesting fact : Rhododendrons are native to Asia and were first introduced to Europe in the 18th 100 , quickly becoming democratic in gardens .

Forsythia

Forsythias herald the arriver of springtime with their pollyannaish yellow blooms . Yet , in green goddess , they often skin to make such a bold argument . Forsythias prefer clear spaces where their arm can spread . Potted forsythia may suffer from circumscribed growth and sparse flowering . A garden mise en scene allow for them to grow freely and become a focal degree in spring . Fun fact : Forsythias are nominate after William Forsyth , a Scotch plant scientist and founding member of the Royal Horticultural Society .

Lavender

Lavender , with its soothing perfume , is a ducky for both gardens and homes . In good deal , however , lavender can become stress , requiring well - drain stain and mess of sunlight to thrive . When confine , it may develop stem putrefaction or become leggy . A garden provide the ideal conditions , with copious drainage and quad for growth . Did you eff ? Lavender has been used for centuries for its calm down properties , often added to baths and sachet for relaxation .

Azalea

Azaleas are know for their stunning spring display , but they can be finicky in pots . These plants prefer acidic , well - drained soil and ample room for their base . In green goddess , azalea often become root - bound and less vigorous . Gardens allow the term they crave , allowing them to flower profusely . Interesting tidbit : azalea are often associated with moderation and passionate honey , symbolizing the balance between emotion and restraint .

Lilies

Lilies , with their striking flowers , are lie with by many . Yet , in pots , they can sputter to attain their full potential . lily need rich soil and ample place for their bulb to multiply and expand . Potted lilies often show stunted maturation and fewer flowers . In gardens , they can flourish , add elegance and sweetheart to any setting . play fact : Lilies have been cultivated for over 3,000 long time , stand for honor and refined beauty in various cultures .

Jasmine

Jasmine is cherished for its angelical fragrance and ticklish blossoms . But , in stool , it can be challenging to maintain its lush increment . Jasmine prefers a fond mood , rich soil , and plenty of space to spread out . Confined to pots , it often live radical stress and limited efflorescence . Gardens offer the perfect conditions for it to climb and flourish . Did you know ? Jasmine has been used in perfumery for centuries and is a symbolisation of love and love story in many culture .

18 Flowers That Look Great in Pots—But Hate Being There