Sun-Loving Container Plants For Your Hot, Full-Sun Deck

There are many options for potting plants that can withstand hot full sun on a deck. Some good choices include marigolds, zinnias, mandevilla vines, portulaca, dahlias, geraniums, calibrachoa, and petunias. These plants can add colour, foliage, and texture to your deck, and most are easy to care for and can tolerate full sun. You can also consider mixing and matching succulents in a pot with well-drained soil and full sun exposure. Herbs such as basil, rosemary, and thyme also do well in sunny spots and can add fragrance to your deck. For a more tropical look, consider plants like hibiscus, cannas, or cordylines, which thrive in full sun and heat.

Full sun flowers

African Daisies

Also known as Cape Daisies, these flowers thrive in the sun and will give you blooms from spring until autumn.

Mandevilla Vines

Mandevilla is a fast-growing climber that blooms profusely with clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of red, white, and pink. It prefers full sun and will bloom prolifically until the weather cools in autumn.

Lantana

Lantana can stand up to the sunniest, hottest, and driest conditions with ease. Its multi-coloured flowers bloom prolifically until the first frost.

Zinnias

Zinnias are easy to start from seeds and will bloom in containers until autumn frost. They do well in average soil, as long as it is well-drained, and need less frequent watering once established.

Marigolds

Marigolds are excellent border plants that can withstand a full day of sun and still look fresh. Their odor deters rabbits and deer, so they are good to plant on the edge of your garden or in window boxes.

Angelonia

Also known as the summer snapdragon, angelonia loves the sun and only needs to be watered about once a week. It is an excellent choice for hot, sunny spots and can thrive in a container.

Heat-tolerant plants

When choosing plants for a hot, full-sun deck, it's important to select varieties that can tolerate high temperatures and thrive in sunny conditions. Here are some heat-tolerant plants that are well-suited for potting and will add colour, texture, and interest to your deck:

• Lantana is a hardy plant that can stand up to sunny, hot, and dry conditions. It produces multi-coloured flowers that bloom prolifically until the first frost, attracting butterflies and other pollinators.
• Mandevilla vines are ideal for adding a pop of colour to your deck. They prefer full sun and will bloom profusely until the weather cools in the fall.
• Geraniums come in a range of colours and forms, including zonal and trailing ivy. They are heat-tolerant and can survive periodic dryness, but will bloom best if watered when the soil is dry.
• Zinnias are bright and cheerful flowers that are loved by butterflies. They grow best in full sun and should be watered when the soil is dry.
• Marigolds are a staple of sunny gardens, with bright, pollinator-friendly flowers. They rarely wilt and are heat-tolerant, making them a great choice for a hot deck.
• Calibrachoa is a versatile plant with flowers in an endless range of colours and patterns. They are heat-tolerant and can be used as a "spiller" in container gardens.
• Dahlias are a popular choice for summer flowers, with thousands of varieties available. They are easy to grow in containers and can be used as a stand-alone accent or combined with other late-season plants.
• Petunias are a classic choice for containers and hanging baskets. New hybrids offer a multitude of colours and patterns, and some varieties are heat-tolerant and drought-resistant.
• Succulents, such as echeveria and hens and chicks, are well-suited for hot, dry conditions. They can be grown in full sun or part shade and require minimal watering.
• Herbs such as basil, rosemary, thyme, and lemon thyme can add fragrance and colour to your container garden. They thrive in sunny conditions and are great for cooking!
• Angelonia, also known as summer snapdragon, has spikes of purple, white, or pink flowers that appear all summer long, no matter the temperature.
• Agave is a stunning architectural plant with sharp leaf tips. It is drought-tolerant and can be grown in containers to add a unique touch to your deck.
• Canna offers large, variegated leaves and glowing flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, and pink. They need moist soil to be happy but can be overwintered indoors.
• Hibiscus is a tropical plant with massive, colourful blooms. It thrives in heat and humidity and must be watered regularly to keep the soil moist.

Perennials for full sun

Perennials are a great way to add colour to your garden without having to start from scratch every year. They come in a wide range of colours, shapes, and sizes, and there are plenty of options that thrive in full sun.

Full sun perennials need at least six hours of direct sunlight per day, and some can even handle more. These sun-loving plants are a great way to add interest to your garden, with their bright blooms and attractive foliage. Many of them are also attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies, and some may even attract hummingbirds.

• Bee Balm (Monarda spp.) – Clusters of tubular flowers in shades of lavender, pink, purple, red, or white. Native to North America, these flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. Hardy in zones 3-9.
• Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia spp.) – Cheerful daisy-like flowers in shades of gold, bronze, red, orange, brown, or yellow. This North American wildflower is a classic that grows 2 to 3 feet tall and is very low-maintenance. Hardy in zones 3-9.
• Catmint (Nepeta spp.) – Small tubular flowers in blue, purple, lavender, pink, yellow, or white. This long-blooming, drought-tolerant, and hardy perennial is a great choice for attracting pollinators. Hardy in zones 3-9.
• Coneflower (Echinacea spp.) – Bright daisy-like blooms in a variety of colours and sizes. These flowers are an important source of nectar for pollinators, and the seed heads provide food for songbirds in the fall and winter. Hardy in zones 3-9.
• Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.) – Big, gorgeous blooms in a wide range of colours and shapes. Daylilies multiply quickly and can be divided to create more plants. Hardy in zones 1 to 11.
• Hibiscus – With huge, tropical-looking blooms, these perennials come in a range of colours. Hardy in zones 4 to 9 for the classic hibiscus, and zones 5 to 9 for the Luna Red Hibiscus.
• Lavender (Lavandula spp.) – Spiky flowers in shades of blue, lavender, purple, pink, yellow, and white. Lavender prefers hot, dry conditions and well-drained soil. Hardy in zones 4 to 9 for English Lavender, and zones 5 to 8 for Grosso Lavender.
• Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) – Aromatic grey-green foliage and spikes of tubular lavender-blue or purple flowers. This drought-tolerant and disease-resistant perennial attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. Hardy in zones 4 to 9.
• Salvia – Spikes of tubular flowers in a wide array of colours. This sun-loving plant is related to culinary sage and is a great choice for attracting hummingbirds and pollinators. Hardy in zones 4 to 12, depending on the variety.

Tropical plants

Bird of Paradise

The Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) is a tropical plant that prefers full sun to achieve its best size and performance. It is hardy in zones 9 to 11, and its vivid orange and blue flowers resemble birds in flight.

Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea glabra) is a lovely flowering vine that is also hardy to zones 9 to 11. It has arching stems with brightly coloured bracts in shades of purple, red, orange, white, pink, or yellow.

Angel Trumpet

The Angel Trumpet (Brugmansia x candida), or brugmansia, is a broadleaf evergreen shrub in zones 8 to 10. It produces huge, fragrant, trumpet-like blooms that hang downward in white, pink, gold, orange, or yellow. All parts of the plant are poisonous, so keep out of reach of children and pets.

White Ginger Lily

The White Ginger Lily (Hedychium coronarium) is a tropical plant that is hardy in zones 8 to 10. It has canna-like leaves and fragrant, white flowers, making it a must-have in the tropical summer garden.

Canna Lily

The Canna Lily (Canna sp.) can be enjoyed year-round in zones 7 to 10. Its large green or variegated, paddle-shaped leaves and bright colourful flowers evoke the tropics right in your backyard.

Taro/Elephant Ear

The Taro or Elephant Ear (Colocasia esculenta) is a tropical favourite that is hardy in zones 8 to 10 but can sometimes survive in zone 7 with protection. It has huge, heart-shaped leaves in variations of green, chocolate, black, purple, and yellow, making it a showstopper in any garden.

Japanese Banana

The Japanese Banana (Musa basjoo) is a hardy banana plant that survives in zones 5 to 10. It is a herbaceous perennial, with huge leaves forming a trunk-like structure. It has a very tropical look and is easy to overwinter.

Mandevilla

Mandevilla (Mandevilla × amabilis) is a woody vine with large, pink, trumpet-shaped flowers. It is only hardy to zones 10 and 11, so you'll need to overwinter it, but it's a great choice for adding tropical flair to your garden.

Tropical Hibiscus

The Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) is another tropical beauty that needs to be overwintered in most climes (zones 10-11). Its large blooms provide a range of colours all summer long. You can also opt for hardy hibiscus varieties, which are just as appealing.

Succulents

Opuntia (Prickly Pear Cactus)

This slow-growing plant belongs to the largest species in the cactus family and is very easy to grow. It is often recognised for its classic appearance, with numerous textures, forms, and a unique desert appeal. Opuntia can be grown in the ground or in containers to help control its growth. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and is non-toxic to pets.

Agave

Agave is a large genus of succulents that form rosette shapes and can grow up to 10 feet tall. They thrive in sunny locations, light shade, and full sun. Agave is slow-growing and low-maintenance, making it suitable for both ground and container planting. Most agave plants will tolerate intense sun and heat and are very hardy. However, they can be toxic to both animals and humans, so caution is advised.

Aloe

Aloe is a large and popular genus of succulents that includes small dwarf species and large tree-like species growing up to 30 feet. They have thick, fleshy, green to bluish-grey-green leaves, and some varieties have white flecks on the stem surfaces. Aloe is low-maintenance and can be planted outdoors in full sun or in containers as indoor plants. Some larger aloe species will tolerate mild frost with little to no damage.

Echeveria

Echeveria is a charming group of succulents that produce rosettes of juicy leaves, usually covered in white hair. They are exceptionally hardy and can brighten up any arrangements, especially in mixed dish gardens. Echeveria grows well in bright light to full sun and is non-toxic to cats and dogs. Their striking rosette shape and dozens of different colours make them easy to decorate with.

Senecio Blue Chalkstick

This succulent has an amazing powdery blue colouring that will look beautiful in any arrangement, especially when mixed with other silver, purple, or blue plants. It is easy to grow and can be grown indoors or outdoors. Senecio Blue Chalkstick requires full or partial light for at least six hours a day and is toxic to both animals and humans.

Donkey's Tail

With its long, luxurious stems, Donkey's Tail is commonly grown in a hanging basket, where its trailing stems can drape and dangle freely. This handsome succulent grows up to 4 inches long and is non-toxic to both animals and humans. It thrives in bright to indirect sunlight and is well-suited for display on a wall or balcony to add character.

Frequently asked questions