Spring Planting Guide: Adding a Window Box

If you’re looking for a way to give your home a little bit of added charm and character, a window box is a great and fairly simple way to do it. Even if you aren’t a big gardener, maintaining and growing plants in a window box is something that you can do. In fact, you don’t even need to own a home to have a window box! With even just a balcony, planting in a window box can be your gardening outlet. All you need is a place to hang your box.

Where to place your window box

In general, it’s going to be best to place your box in an area where there will be a lot of sunlight. You’re also going to need to keep up with watering your plants inside the box, so you’ll want to have it somewhere easily accessible.

Another thing to note is that window boxes can get extremely heavy. Your planter box will be holding soil, plants, and water, so you’ll want to look for a sturdy box that will support everything. It’s recommended that you secure your box to your window and/or siding with a bracket. This will hold and support your window box despite the weight, so it doesn’t fall or get damaged. If you are using a hanging box on a balcony, you’ll want to ensure that you pick up a box that has sturdy arms to keep your box on your patio.

What type of window box should I get?

The main thing that you’ll need to make sure your box has will be drainage holes in the bottom. This will ensure that your plants don’t get overloaded with too much water, and that the box won’t become too heavy. You can also add gravel or packing peanuts to the bottom, which will help aid drainage when your plants are in the box.

Window boxes are made in a few different materials, so it's really up to your aesthetic preference as to what you choose. You can opt for a wooden, durable plastic, steel or even terracotta box material.

Planting Tips

When you’re done choosing and installing your window box, it’ll be time to actually get ready to plant! As mentioned earlier, start with a layer of packing peanuts, or gravel in the bottom of your window box, to aid water draining. You’ll then want to fill your box about halfway with soil, and  add your plants, a few inches apart from each other. Fill any gaps with additional soil, and gently pat your plants into place so they are secure.

Once they’re in, you’ll want to ensure that you water them thoroughly. Window box plants tend to dry out quicker than grounded ones, so you’ll need to stay on top of the watering process so you don’t lose your hard work.

What should I plant in my window box?

While you have a wide range of options depending on whether you want to add color, volume, or both, let’s take a look at some of the most common flowers and plants you will find in window boxes.

Petunias

They not only survive through the brutal summer heat, they thrive in it. Petunias will grow in a multitude of colors and will bring a lot of beautiful volume to your box.

Coleus

While the flowers will add a nice pop of color, the foliage from a coleus will be the star of the show. These will add a ton of character and stunning volume to your window box.

Begonias

These will add pops of red and pink to your window display, and will be a great complement to other plants in your window box.

Geraniums

If you’re looking to add a wider range of shapes, color, and volume to your window box, a geranium will be perfect for you. It should be noted though, these do require a little bit more water and maintenance than others.

Marigolds

These will bloom all summer and add those colors that make you think of sunny days. Marigolds will bloom in a range of golds, oranges, and yellows.

Impatiens

If your window box isn’t in direct sunlight all day, these will be a great option for you. You’ll get shades of white, pink, and purple, without having to worry about them getting too dried out quickly.

Salvia

On the other side, if your planter is in direct sunlight, a salvia flower will be the perfect addition to your window box. They love the sun and will bloom in a huge range of colors from blue, pink and purple, to red, yellow, and white.

Herbs

Finally, you can grow your own herbs in your window boxes! Herbs like thyme, rosemary, or basil are great options to grow in your planters. These will grow quickly, so you’ll need to pay attention and keep up with watering them consistently.

While these are some great options to get you started with a window box, there are a ton of other great options out there depending on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for something a little more substantial than a window box, visit our Lawn and Garden home in the Everyday Life Guide to check out a wide range of tips and tricks for growing and planting. 

And don’t forget to visit your local Fleet Farm Garden Center to find hundreds of different seed and plant varieties!