My Favorite Flowers & Herbs for Deck Planters

There’s something magical about stepping onto a sun-warmed deck in summer, surrounded by pots overflowing with color, texture, and scent. Whether it’s a morning ritual with a cup of coffee or an alfresco dinner with friends, planters have a way of softening a space and making it feel alive, curated, and loved. Here are a few of my favorite flowers and herbs for deck planters.

I once heard the planter styling tip: “choose a thriller, a filler and a spiller for every plant pot” – and while I love that advice, I often find it hard to follow. Instead I gather plants that feel beautiful and useful—kinda like an extension of the home decor I create indoors. For me, deck planters aren’t just about perfect style. I like to pack them full of all the things I love, and creating a sensory experience. A little colorful, scented luxury you get to live with every day.

If you’re looking to add color and scent to your outdoor space this season, here are my go-to favorites for cheerful, inspired summer planters that feel creative, useful and welcoming:

Classic Geraniums

Classic and charming, geraniums add structure and rich color. I especially love bold coral-pink or deep red varieties for a statement that feels timeless and elegant. They pair beautifully with neutral planters and add instant energy to any corner of the deck.

Pineapple Sage

Soft green leaves, vivid red blooms, and a hint of tropical sweetness when you brush against it—pineapple sage brings personality and surprise. It grows beautifully in containers and offers a subtle fragrance that’s a joy to live with. Pineapple sage blooms late in the season here in the PNW – about the time I’m happy to have a splash of late summer color.

Spikey Salvia

I love using salvia to add height and contrast. Their sculptural spikes bring in movement and a bit of wild beauty, especially when paired with more rounded blooms. Plus, they attract pollinators, which makes the whole space feel even more alive.

Cheerful Petunias

Petunias pack a colorful punch and are easy to grow (a trait I need and love!) and I especially love trailing petunias. They spill over the edges of the pots like ribbons of color. I love buying several of the same color and adding a few to every planter to build a consistent color theme.

Colorful Calibrachoa

Also called “Million Bells,” calibrachoa is a favorite of mine for adding a lot of continuous color to summer planters. The petite, petunia-like blooms spill over the edges of containers, creating a lush, overflowing look I love. Available in a wide range of colors, my favorites are the bold jewel colors – red, purple and deep pinks. It’s a low-maintenance bloom that doesn’t seem to mind when I forget to water occasionally. Calibrochoa blooms continuously all summer and attracts hummingbirds and butterflies!

Scented Dianthus

I love adding several perenials to my planters so that I don’t have to replace everything each season and dianthus (also known as pinks or carnations) are my favorite – especially the clove-scented varieties. The scent is warm and a bit spicy—and catching that scent on the breeze is unexpected and entirely wonderful. I’ll forever add them to all my planter arrangements!

Always Add Herbs

Herbs are a must. Not just for the kitchen, but for the way they add texture, fragrance, and usefulness. I love growing oregano, basil, and parsley in pots along with my flowers. They’re beautiful, abundant, and when planted on the deck, they’re always within arm’s reach for summer meals and drinks.

Peppermint for Garnish

An odd choice for a plant pot perhaps, but if you’ve ever had the experience of having your peppermint take over your entire garden bed, you may be interested in putting it in a pot on the deck so you can limit the spread! And just like the herbs, this way it’s easy to access to garnish your summer drinks. Plus, it smells amazing!

Styling Tips for Your Deck Planters

I treat my planters like I would any interior space—repetition, a mix of textures and collecting plants and flowers over time. A mix of terracotta or ceramic pots in matte finishes also add to the layered and collected look. Tucking in a few tulip bulbs in the fall offers an early spring treat as well!

If you’re tucking a few herbs and flowers onto a small balcony or creating a full layered look with overflowing blooms and foliage, your outdoor space deserves the same creative attention as your interiors. A few well-chosen favorite flowers and herbs for deck planters can turn any deck into a retreat—one that reflects your style and invites you to slow down and savor summer. If you’re wanting to expand your spring refresh to other areas of your home, check out this post as well!

What are you planting this season? I’d love to know your favorites.