My tiny balcony used to be just a place to store my rusty grill. But then I tried growing some climbing plants in pots, and oh my goodness – what a difference!
Now it’s my favorite spot to relax, surrounded by beautiful vines growing up and around. Want to know which ones worked best?
Here are my top 25 picks that anyone can grow!
1. English Ivy
English ivy holds a special place in my heart as my first container vine. This classic climber thrives beautifully in shaded spots, making it perfect for those tricky dark corners.
Its adaptable nature means it can handle almost any environment you throw at it, creating dense, lush foliage that cascades elegantly over pot edges.
Just remember to handle with care – all parts are toxic if ingested. I’ve found it looks stunning whether trained up a trellis or spilling from hanging baskets.
2. Morning Glory
My breakfast routine now includes admiring these cheerful trumpet-shaped blooms from my kitchen window. These fast-growing beauties only need a modest 12-inch pot to thrive.
In my warm climate, they return year after year as perennials. But don’t worry if you live somewhere cooler – they work beautifully as annuals too.
I’ve found they’re particularly perfect for brightening up balconies and small spaces with their vibrant colors.
3. Clematis
Want to add some serious drama to your container garden? Clematis is your answer. I learned through trial and error that these showstoppers need regular feeding and deep watering to truly shine.
They’re incredibly rewarding though – give them a trellis or wall to climb, and they’ll reward you with the most spectacular bloom display.
My favorite spot for clematis is along balcony railings, where their flowers can be appreciated up close.
4. Virginia Creeper
If you’re looking for seasonal drama, Virginia creeper is a game-changer. I planted one last year, and the autumn display literally stops neighbors in their tracks when the foliage turns brilliant crimson red.
It’s become my go-to solution for creating quick privacy screens on my patio. The rapid growth means it covers trellises and walls in no time.
5. Climbing Hydrangea
Living in zone 6, I’ve found climbing hydrangea to be incredibly reliable. Its strong aerial roots make it a champion climber, even in shadier spots.
The combination of lush green foliage and delicate white lace cap flowers creates a stunning display from late spring into early summer.
6. Trumpet Vine
I call this my hummingbird magnet! The vibrant trumpet-shaped flowers attract these tiny visitors all season long.
While it can be invasive in garden beds, growing it in containers has been the perfect solution for managing its enthusiastic growth.
A word of caution from my experience – choose your container location carefully, as this vigorous grower will happily take over any available space!
7. Bougainvillea
My patio’s tropical transformation started with a bougainvillea in a large pot. Those vibrant papery flowers bring me joy every time I look at them.
While it’s only annual in my climate, it’s worth every penny for the summer show it puts on.
Just remember to give it full sun – I learned that lesson the hard way when I first tried growing it in partial shade.
8. Honeysuckle
The sweet fragrance of honeysuckle brings back childhood memories, which is why I had to include it in my container garden.
I’ve found that consistent watering and a sunny spot are key to keeping it happy and blooming.
The bonus? It attracts so many pollinators that my entire garden has become more vibrant and alive.
9. Wisteria
This was my most ambitious container project, but oh, was it worth it! Those cascading flowers create the most romantic garden atmosphere.
Make sure to use a large container and provide sturdy support – I learned this the hard way when my first attempt toppled over!
The fragrance alone makes it worth the extra effort of maintaining this stunning centerpiece.
10. Common Jasmine
Nothing beats stepping onto my patio on a warm evening and being greeted by jasmine’s intoxicating scent.
I grow mine in well-draining soil and find it blooms consistently throughout summer in my climate.
For my friends in warmer zones, they get to enjoy these delicate white flowers nearly year-round!
11. Climbing Rose
Adding climbing roses to my container garden brought that cottage-garden charm I’d always dreamed of.
Yes, they need regular pruning, but I find it therapeutic, and the fragrant blooms more than make up for the maintenance.
They’ve become a favorite rest stop for butterflies and bees in my garden.
12. Mandevilla
These stunning funnel-shaped flowers have become my summer staple. Their tropical vibe transforms my patio into a vacation-worthy retreat.
While they’re only perennial in warm climates, I happily grow them as annuals for their show-stopping summer display.
Just give them plenty of sun and something to climb on, and they’ll bloom their hearts out from late spring until frost.
13. Cup and Saucer Vine
This fast-growing Mexican beauty has become my go-to for quick vertical coverage.
The unique flowers truly do look like tiny cups and saucers, making it a conversation starter whenever garden friends visit.
I’ve found that a bright, sunny location brings out its best blooming performance.
14. Passion Flower
The first time my passion flower bloomed, I couldn’t believe something so exotic was growing in my container garden!
It’s surprisingly easy to grow as long as you provide enough sunlight.
I’ve trained mine up a trellis where its intricate flowers can be admired up close.
15. Black-Eyed Susan Vine
These cheerful climbers bring a cottage-garden feel to my container collection.
Their bright flowers with dark centers create such a charming display that I’ve added them to both my patio containers and hanging baskets.
They’ve proven perfect for creating privacy without feeling heavy or overwhelming.
16. Dutchman’s Pipe
The unique pipe-shaped flowers and large heart-shaped leaves make this vine a real conversation starter in my garden.
I’ve found it performs beautifully in partial shade, where it creates a dense, natural privacy screen.
Its architectural presence adds a distinctive touch to any container arrangement.
17. Butterfly Pea
These deep blue flowers have become the stars of my summer container garden.
While they’re perennial in zones 10-11, I happily grow them as annuals for their unique color contribution.
They’ve become my favorite way to add true blue flowers to my summer display.
18. Moonflower
After discovering moonflowers, my evening garden took on a magical quality.
I strategically placed them near my patio seating area to enjoy their enchanting fragrance during evening gatherings.
The large white flowers opening at dusk never fail to captivate visitors.
19. Snapdragon Vine
This versatile climber has proven perfect for both my hanging baskets and container arrangements.
Its cascading growth habit creates beautiful trailing displays that last all season.
I especially love how it softens the edges of my container garden.
20. Canary Creeper
The radiant blooms of this vigorous climber light up my late summer garden.
It’s become my reliable solution for extending the flowering season well into fall.
In my zone 9 garden, it returns reliably each year, getting more impressive with age.
21. Sweet Pea
The fragrance of sweet peas reminds me of my grandmother’s garden, which is why I make space for them every year.
I’ve found the bush varieties work perfectly in containers, providing that classic cottage garden charm without overwhelming the space.
Their soft, fluttering blossoms bring a touch of romance to my container collection.
22. Sweet Autumn Clematis
Late summer became much more exciting in my garden after adding this vigorous climber.
The masses of white, fragrant flowers create a stunning display when most other vines are finished blooming.
It’s proven remarkably adaptable, thriving in my zone 5 garden while friends in zone 11 enjoy it just as much.
23. Snail Vine
The unique, spiraled flowers of this vine never fail to draw attention from garden visitors.
I love watching the blooms progress from white to lavender pink throughout the season.
Its exotic appearance belies how easy it is to grow in containers.
24. Cypress Vine
The delicate, star-shaped flowers and fern-like foliage add a touch of whimsy to my container garden.
I’ve grown all three colors – red, pink, and white – but the red remains my favorite against the fine foliage.
Full sun and well-draining soil have been key to success with this charming climber.
25. Bleeding Heart Vine
Last but certainly not least, this unique vine brings drama to my container collection with its distinctive blooms.
The heart-shaped calyxes really do look like dropping blood, creating quite a conversation piece.
While it’s perennial in warm climates, I find it worth growing as an annual just for its unusual beauty.