Complete Gardening
Window boxes are an easy way to enhance your home’s curb appeal, adding a splash of color and vibrancy to your exterior.
They’re perfect for giving a quick, inexpensive facelift to the outside of your home while bringing a touch of nature closer.
Whether you’re living in a cozy urban apartment, a suburban home, or a countryside cottage, window boxes can transform your exterior into a floral masterpiece.
Let’s dive into some creative ideas to make your window boxes stand out and bring life to your home’s exterior.
1. Cascading Petunias for a Waterfall Effect
Petunias are a classic for window boxes, and their cascading nature adds a gorgeous waterfall effect. Opt for a mix of bright pink, purple, and white varieties. When planted tightly together, they’ll spill over the edge of your box, creating an eye-catching display that dances in the wind.
2. Herb Garden Boxes
Why not mix practicality with beauty? Planting herbs in your window boxes not only adds greenery and a pop of freshness, but you’ll have fresh rosemary, thyme, or basil at your fingertips. For a Mediterranean vibe, pair them with lavender, giving off a fragrant aroma every time you open your windows.
3. Succulent Window Box for a Modern Twist
If you’re looking for something low-maintenance yet chic, a succulent window box is your answer. Succulents come in various colors and textures, from deep greens to dusty purples and pinks. They can handle full sun and dry conditions, making them ideal for sunny spots. Mix aloe, echeveria, and string of pearls for a contemporary look.
4. Bold and Bright Geraniums
Geraniums are a staple in many window boxes because of their hardy nature and vibrant colors. Opt for bold reds, pinks, and oranges to create a striking contrast against neutral exteriors. These beauties thrive in sunny conditions and bloom all summer long.
5. Shades of Blue with Lobelia
Lobelia’s delicate, trailing blossoms in shades of blue and purple bring a cool, calming vibe to your window boxes. Pair them with white daisies or yellow marigolds to create a striking color contrast that brightens up your windows and creates a welcoming aesthetic.
6. Mix Flowers with Ornamental Grasses
For a dynamic, layered look, mix colorful flowers with ornamental grasses like purple fountain grass or blue fescue. The grasses add texture and height, while bright blooms such as marigolds, zinnias, or calibrachoa add color. This combination is perfect for those who want something a bit more structured and unique.
7. A Burst of Sunflowers
Sunflowers in a window box? Absolutely! While most sunflowers are tall, dwarf varieties can thrive in window boxes. Their sunny, cheerful faces will brighten up any exterior. Pair them with trailing ivy or sweet potato vine for added texture and visual interest.
8. Monochromatic Magic
If you’re aiming for a sophisticated look, go monochrome. Choose one color palette—like various shades of pink—and plant different flowers that match that theme. Think pink geraniums, petunias, and begonias. The uniform color will make your window box look chic and polished.
9. Trailing Ivy for a Lush, Green Look
For a fresh, verdant display, fill your window boxes with trailing ivy. It works especially well if your exterior has a rustic or vintage vibe. Ivy will spill over the sides of your window box, creating a lush, romantic look. For added texture, include ferns or small, white flowers like alyssum.
10. Seasonal Swaps for Year-Round Beauty
Switch up your window boxes with the seasons to keep your exterior looking fresh all year. In spring, plant tulips and daffodils. Summer can bring bright, heat-tolerant flowers like zinnias and geraniums. As fall approaches, swap them out for mums and ornamental kale. And for winter, evergreens like miniature pines or holly with red berries can keep the look festive.
11. Whimsical Window Boxes with Pansies
Pansies are known for their “faces” and come in every color imaginable. Their playful appearance adds a touch of whimsy to your window boxes. They’re perfect for cooler months, making them an excellent choice for spring and fall displays. Mix a variety of colors for a fun, cheerful vibe.
12. Begonias for Shady Spots
If your windows don’t get a lot of sun, begonias are your best bet. They thrive in partial to full shade and come in a range of vibrant colors. The waxy leaves of begonias also add an extra layer of interest, making them a standout in any window box display.
13. Cottage Charm with English Lavender
Add a touch of cottage charm to your home with English lavender. Lavender’s purple blooms are perfect for creating a rustic, countryside feel. Not only do they look stunning, but they also release a calming fragrance, giving your home an inviting and serene ambiance.
14. Colorful Coleus for a Pop of Foliage
Not all window boxes need to be filled with flowers. Coleus plants come in a wide array of striking colors—from bright greens and purples to reds and yellows. Their large, vibrant leaves make a bold statement and work wonderfully in shady spots. Pair them with creeping jenny or ferns for a lush, full look.
15. Tropical Vibes with Hibiscus and Bougainvillea
For a tropical feel, fill your window boxes with hibiscus or bougainvillea. Hibiscus flowers are large and vibrant, creating a show-stopping display. Bougainvillea’s magenta and purple bracts add a splash of bold color, perfect for sunny areas. These plants thrive in warmer climates and will give your home a vacation-like feel year-round.
16. Violas for a Delicate Touch
Violas are small but mighty. These delicate flowers pack a punch when planted in large quantities. Their petite size makes them perfect for window boxes, and they come in a wide variety of colors. They are especially great for fall and spring displays, as they thrive in cooler weather.
17. Classic Red and White Combo
For a timeless look, go with the classic red and white combination. Red geraniums or petunias paired with white alyssum or daisies make for a clean, crisp, and vibrant display. This color combo works beautifully against both light and dark-colored exteriors.
18. Trailing Sweet Potato Vine
Sweet potato vine comes in lime green and deep purple varieties, making it an excellent choice for adding a trailing element to your window boxes. The bright green variety, in particular, creates a striking contrast when paired with colorful flowers. Its trailing nature gives your window boxes a fuller, more dynamic appearance.
19. Echinacea for a Wildflower Look
Want to bring a bit of wildflower charm to your home? Echinacea, or coneflowers, are perfect for creating that effortless, wild garden vibe. They come in shades of pink, purple, orange, and white, making them versatile for any color scheme. Their large, daisy-like blooms will catch the eye, and their height adds dimension to your window boxes.
20. Rustic Beauty with Marigolds and Zinnias
Marigolds and zinnias are tough, low-maintenance flowers that pack a punch of color. Their bold, warm hues—think oranges, reds, and yellows—are perfect for creating a warm, rustic look. These flowers thrive in full sun and bloom all summer long, making them ideal for brightening up your exterior.
21. Creeping Jenny for a Pop of Green
Creeping Jenny, with its bright lime green leaves, is perfect for adding a pop of green to your window boxes. It spills over the sides, creating a cascading effect that softens the edges of your display. Pair it with white flowers like impatiens or pansies for a fresh, clean look.
22. Snapdragons for Height and Drama
Snapdragons are tall, spiky flowers that add height and drama to any window box. Their vibrant colors—ranging from pinks to yellows to deep reds—make them a standout choice. Use them as a focal point in the center of your box, surrounded by trailing flowers like ivy or petunias.
23. Hydrangeas for a Lush, Full Look
Hydrangeas in window boxes? Yes, please! These large, showy flowers add a lush, full look to any window box. Opt for dwarf varieties, which are more suitable for container planting. Their soft, pastel blooms in shades of pink, blue, and white add a romantic, vintage feel to your exterior.
24. Pastel Perfection with Dusty Miller and Alyssum
For a soft, pastel look, combine dusty miller with alyssum. Dusty miller’s silvery-gray foliage pairs beautifully with the tiny, white blooms of alyssum. This combination creates a delicate, understated display perfect for homes with light-colored exteriors.
25. Edible Window Boxes with Strawberries
Yes, you can grow strawberries in window boxes! Not only will you have a sweet treat at your fingertips, but the bright red berries look stunning against their green foliage. Strawberries are also great for attracting pollinators, bringing bees and butterflies to your garden.
Adding window boxes to your home is a simple yet effective way to boost curb appeal and bring a little bit of nature to your windows. Whether you’re opting for bold, vibrant blooms or a subtle, monochromatic look, there’s no limit to how creative you can get with your window boxes.
From cascading flowers to fragrant herbs, these ideas will surely brighten up your home’s exterior and make it the envy of the neighborhood. Ready to get planting?