Melissa Epifano Melissa Epifano Melissa is a freelance writer who covers home decor, beauty, and fashion. She’s written for MyDomaine, The Spruce, Byrdie, and The Zoe Report. Originally from Oregon, she's currently living in the UK.
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If your patio has seen better days, there’s no better time to give it a good refresh. And while you’re at it, why not add some plants to your outdoor space? A patio garden can be anything you want it to be, and some of the best patio garden ideas are those that speak to your personality, giving you a space that’s totally you.
Need some inspiration? You’ve come to the right place. Keep reading for some great patio garden ideas to incorporate into your outdoor space.
Tips for Creating a Patio Garden
Start with your existing patio furniture, if you have it, and figure out the type of vibe you’d like to bring to your space. Whether you opt for a vertical garden or stick with traditional planters and raised beds, the perfect plants are out there.
- Eat what you grow. Looking to eat what you grow on your patio? Climbing vine vegetables like tomatoes and beans work well, as do bulb and root vegetables like onions and radishes, and leafy greens like cabbage. And container-friendly herbs are always an option.
- Stick with a budget. Ask friends for cuttings, purchase packets of seeds for cheap, and even check out community pages on social media to find free or discounted options.
- Reuse and repurpose. Turn old palettes, troughs, and buckets into planters for your plants, vegetables, and container garden herbs.
But fair warning: Once your patio garden is all in place, you’ll never want to spend time elsewhere. If you’re loving the inspo below but don’t have a patio, be sure to check out these indoor garden ideas.
1. Righteous Roof Deck
This outdoor space in this calming Brooklyn apartment is hard to come by, which is only part of what makes it so fantastic. The owners have combined flowers and native grasses to create a multi-dimensional look and feel that work overtime attracting pollinators.
2. Covered Space
This partially covered outdoor space in this Australian home makes expert use of the vertical space, with hanging plant holders adding just the right touch of green to the patio.
3. A Lush Wonderland
Rich, deep green foliage in this Scandinavian home combines with a dark-hued fence to give this outdoor patio garden an elegant, stately appeal. We love how the owners cleverly added a dark green bench to the space.
4. Urban Oasis
Homeowners Shelley V. Worrell and Janluk Stanislas prove that living in the middle of New York City doesn’t have to mean existing in the absence of greenery. There’s plenty to be found on their adorably lush patio garden. Plants spill over the walkway, which was crafted with pavers surrounded by tiny stones. Two dwarf trees anchor the entire scene.
5. Get In Where You Fit In
Plants have a place in your life, even on a tiny balcony. Here, a craft stand plays home to a healthy fern, while another plant hangs from a wall-mounted light fixture. It all proves that the best patio garden ideas are the ones that make use of the space you have!
6. Flower Boxes Reconsidered
If you rent your home, you may not be able to use window boxes, since they’re often permanent fixtures that have to be drilled into the windowsill. But this clever owner chose to turn flower boxes inward, hanging them from the wall of the balcony. A coordinating pot of plants on the bistro table pulls the whole look together.
7. Chicken Scratch
It ain’t a party till the chickens arrive! A perfect accessory for any garden, a small flock of chickens is a great patio garden idea. You’ll get fresh eggs, and your chickens will help with everything from composting to pest control. Just be sure to check your HOA rules before purchasing poultry of any kind.
8. An Abundance of Greens
There doesn’t need to be any rhyme or reason to the plants you fill your space with. It’s all a matter of what speaks to you, and the vibe you’re going for. While this space may seem overgrown to some, it’s an eclectic mix of plants that come together to make a totally zen patio garden.
9. A Wall of Plants
No room for a garden? No problem! So many common garden plants can be planted in pots, so use that to your advantage if you’re in a small space. Renter Alexandra Gater created a wall full of potted herbs for a beautiful look that’s super useful, too!
10. Mini Urban Farm
This Toronto couple makes it their goal to fit plants in anywhere they can. This neat and orderly patio doubles as a woodland garden, featuring several dwarf trees and potted plants.
11. A Jungle Oasis
Between the AstroTurf and the potted plants, this Venice, California patio has been turned into a jungle oasis. Potted plants are great for smaller spaces, since the pots work to confine the plants to the size you need them to be.
12. Coastal-Inspired Patio Garden
In drier climates, a coastal-inspired patio with a few select hearty plants boosts the relaxation factor on sweltering days. As seen on Meliha Omic’s patio, adding planters around your space cuts down on extra maintenance that comes with larger gardens and raised beds and just allows you to chill.
13. Artsy Patio Garden Idea
Being short on space doesn’t mean you can’t add a little plant life to your patio, as proven by Tovah Fine. Her space utilizes hanging planters and different levels to incorporate as many plants as possible. The colorful, artistic accents are a nice touch too.
14. Plant-Filled Oasis
If you’re looking for patio garden ideas but you don’t have a green thumb, opt for fake greenery. The attractive greenery wall shown here is fake, but you’d never know from a distance. The potted plants are all natural though, and we love this rental-friendly makeover.
15. Black Accent Patio
A deep accent color can work its magic outdoors, too. Designed by Fredrickson Landscape Inc., this patio garden looks clean and sleek, with raised beds and pots both painted in coordinating black.
16. Climbing Vines and Planters
Irene’s patio makes expert use of the climbing greenery already in place. She’s peppered in some potted plants for a pulled-together look that’s extra dreamy.
17. Chic and Streamlined Patio Garden
If you value lawn space, but have a smaller patio, a great patio garden idea is to use planter boxes and a select few patches of greenery. Additionally, Mexican beach stones can boost the garden feeling. This space from Amber Freda Garden Design is a perfect example of how to blend chic city life with suburbia’s comforts.
18. Faux Window and Decorative Grasses
Between the plants and furniture chosen, this patio feels like a whimsical secret garden.
19. Patio Garden Inspired by the Tropics
The palm trees, terracotta planters, and river stones seen on Estefania Palomarez’s patio give a total vacation vibe, one of our favorite patio garden ideas for warm-weather locations.
Additional reporting by Carolin Lehmann
