Full Sun Window Boxes: Choosing Window Box Plants For Sun Exposure

urban box
urban box
(Image credit: Gabriele Grassl)

Window boxes are an excellent planting option for gardeners who are looking to add visual appeal to their homes, or for those who lack adequate growing space, such as urbanites and those living in apartments. Just as planting a garden, the decision regarding what to grow in window boxes will depend on the growing conditions where the box is located-- sometimes a rooftop is your only option for an urban window box, for instance.

Considering environmental factors such as water needs and amount of sunlight will be key in growing successful window boxes. Read on for window box designs for full sun locations.

About Full Sun Window Boxes

The light requirements of plants are one of the most important aspects to consider when choosing plants for your containers. While some boxes will receive mostly shade, due to their location, others may be positioned in full sun. Choosing plants adapted to hot, direct sunlight will help these full sun window boxes to thrive.

Sun-loving window box plants can consist of those that are edible or those which are ornamental. When planning a window box in full sun, growers will need to be especially attentive to the irrigation needs of their plants. Window box designs for full sun containers may dry quickly. Ultimately, this can cause the demise of your planting.

Sun-Loving Window Box Plants

Vegetable, herb, and flower gardens can all be planted in a location that receives full sun. Edible plants such as peppers, tomatoes, and basil will all thrive in these hot window boxes. When choosing these plants, always opt for smaller varieties or those termed as dwarf. By doing so, gardeners will be better able to control the size of their plants as they grow. With careful planning, gardeners can arrange several different types of plants within the same box.

Ornamental flower window boxes are also an excellent option. In terms of plants, growers can select a wide variety of plants like bedding annuals or vines. The combination of plants like petunias, dwarf zinnias, and black-eyed Susan vines can create a stunning floral display that can last all season long.

With careful planning and attention to the needs of plants, growers who choose to use window boxes can create stunning curb appeal. By implementing several types of edible or ornamental plants, homeowners without yards can certainly create a garden that causes the passersby to stop and stare.

Tonya Barnett
Writer

Tonya Barnett has been gardening for 13 years. Flowers are her passion. She has trasformed her backyard into a cut flower garden, which she regularly chronicles on her YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/@tonyawiththeflowers.