21 Tips for Making Your Patio Greener

A beautiful green garden… who wouldn’t want that? But let’s face it, you don’t really have much time for landscaping and maintenance, or maybe your garden is completely paved, or you only have a patio or balcony… No problem: Even if your garden is just paved, you can still make it greener. Here are our tips. Many of them are very easy to implement and take very little time. So make your patio greener, too!

Place pots and planters on your patio with beautiful plants

In a small garden, it’s best to choose a few larger pots or planters rather than a bunch of separate, mismatched small pots. By selecting pots that are similar in style or color, you create a sense of calm and can really let your creativity run wild with the plants. Of course, you can also do the opposite: use just a few plants and repeat them throughout, or work with a very limited color palette for your plants, using planters of different types, styles, and/or colors. By the way, it doesn’t have to be an actual flowerpot or planter at all: anything that holds soil and isn’t too small can serve perfectly well as a plant container.

Be sure to check out our blog for tips on potted plants

Take out the tile(s), plant something in its place!

There’s almost always a way to remove a few tiles from your yard. Create a recess in your patio, or reduce the size of your patio or path by removing a row of tiles, so there’s more room for greenery. Of course, you don’t have to choose tiles or pavers along the house’s facade either: a border with beautiful plants softens the appearance of the house and provides a lovely view from inside. So remove those tiles and plant some flowers instead!

Brighten up your garden table with flowers

Place a few pots on your garden table and plant annuals or other attractive plants in them. This way, the garden table—which sets the tone for the whole space—becomes an integral part of your garden and flower beds.

Choose climbing plants

The exterior wall of the house, a garden wall or fence, and the shed are perfect for growing climbing plants against. Climbing plants take up little space yet add plenty of greenery to the garden. Most climbing plants do need a support or trellis, but plants such as ivy, wild grapevine, and trumpet vine are self-clinging.

Plant fragrant plants along the path

Fragrant plants like lavender and rosemary are perfect for planting alongside a path. They can even grow slightly over the path. Not only does this soften the lines of the garden design, but every time you walk past, the wonderful scent is released.

Leave space between the tiles

Leave some space between the tiles on your patio and plant groundcover, trailing plants, or low-growing plants there. This will make your patio look less solid and still give you more space for greenery in your garden. Fragrant herbs are perfect for this in a sunny spot!

Create a mini border in a pot or planter

You often plant one or two types of plants in a container or pot. But of course, you can also create your own mini border in a pot. There are many beautiful combinations possible, depending on where you place your pot (how much sun it gets). Perennials and ornamental grasses also thrive in pots or planters. For example, choose a plant that grows a bit larger—one that, so to speak, draws attention or defines the shape. Then plant a few filler plants (such as small plants with beautifully contrasting foliage or complementary flower colors), and use trailing plants or groundcovers to let them hang over the edges of the pot.

A mini herb garden in a pot

Plant your favorite herbs in a pot or planter by your back door or kitchen door. That way, you’ll always have fresh herbs on hand. Keep in mind, though, that many (Mediterranean) herbs thrive in plenty of sun. Think of rosemary, lavender, thyme, and sage. Other herbs, such as parsley, mint, and chives, can also grow in the shade.

Hang pots and planters on the fence or wall

Garden fences are often very boring, especially if you’d rather not let them get overgrown. But of course, you can also attach a few pots or planters to your fence or wall and fill them with pretty flowering plants.

Plant fruit in pots

Did you know that you can also grow fruit in pots? For example, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, currants, and, of course, strawberries. But don’t forget about mini fruit trees or patio fruit plants, either. Not only can you enjoy fresh fruit from your own garden, but in the spring you can also enjoy the beautiful blossoms.

A tall pot

You can also grow climbing plants in a pot. Build a teepee out of bamboo poles in a pot or planter and let your favorite climbing plants grow up it. Think of clematis, climbing roses, honeysuckle, sweet peas, etc.

A tree in a pot or container

You can even plant a tree or small tree in a pot or planter. For example, a dwarf tree, a multi-stemmed tree, or a columnar tree. A standard plant or a climbing plant trained on a stake or trunk also works well in a pot and still adds height to your garden. A well-placed tree in a pot also provides privacy in your garden.

Be sure to check out our previous blog posts: “Which Trees Can Be Grown in Pots?” and “Tips for Trees in Pots and Containers”

Plant a hedge in a planter

Would you like more privacy on your patio or balcony? Place a (taller) planter and grow a nice hedge in it. You can make it as tall as you’d like. You could even build a wheeled planter so you can easily move the hedge around.

Build a mini pond

You can easily turn a nice (waterproof) container, basin, or pot into a cute mini-pond. Fill the container with water and add a few pretty pond plants. If you create a shallow area, birds can even take a dip in it.

Create a raised flower bed on the tiles

You can easily build a raised flower bed on top of your patio tiles or on a concrete base. Just make sure water can drain properly (leave openings and add a layer of clay pellets, sand, or gravel as a base layer for the potting soil).

Plant an espalier tree

An espalier tree provides privacy on your patio and a beautiful green view. Espalier trees require very little space and can even be planted in a relatively shallow flower bed. Be sure to water them well and generously during the first few years so the tree can take root properly.

Make Your Own Wooden Planter

Are you pretty handy? If so, building a wooden planter is actually a very simple project. Make sure to allow for drainage and line the inside of the planter with plastic so your new planter will last a long time.

Install a pergola on the patio

A pergola on your patio provides shade and privacy, and is perfect for letting climbing plants grow over it. For example, you can let wisteria, climbing roses, clematis, honeysuckle, kiwi vines, or grapevines grow over the pergola. If you’re handy, you can install a pergola yourself, or you can choose to have it installed by a professional.

Are you planning to add some greenery to your patio or balcony? Or have you already done so? What’s your tip for adding greenery to your (balcony) garden? We’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment on this post, or feel free to send us your photos!