When creating a beautiful container garden, it’s easy to fall in love with the showy “thrillers” – the tall, bold plants that catch your eye immediately.
But if you really want to elevate your garden design, there’s one trick seasoned gardeners always use: adding “spillers.”
These are trailing or cascading plants that spill over the edges of containers, softening harsh lines and bringing movement, texture, and a polished finish to your displays.
Whether you’re planting a balcony box, a patio pot, or a decorative urn, spillover plants are the secret ingredient that makes your container garden look lush and professionally arranged.
In this guide, we’ll explore 12 of the most attractive, versatile, and low-maintenance spillers you can grow – and why they’re worth your space.
Why Use Spillover Plants in Containers?
Spillover plants do more than just look beautiful.
Here are a few reasons they’re essential in container gardening:
- Visual balance: Spillers provide a cascading layer that balances upright “thrillers” and mound-shaped “fillers.”
- Softened edges: They hide the harsh rim of pots, making arrangements look more natural.
- Color and texture: Many spillers offer bold foliage or long-lasting blooms that add contrast and depth.
- Pollinator attraction: Flowering spillers often attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
- Vertical interest: They lead the eye downward, giving your container dimension from top to bottom.
Now let’s take a closer look at some of the best spillover plants to try.
1. Zinnia Angustifolia (Narrowleaf Zinnia)
This low-growing variety of zinnia is perfect for sunny pots. Unlike the more upright zinnias, Z. angustifolia spreads gently and trails slightly over the sides of containers.
The “Crystal” series is particularly popular, producing cheerful daisy-like blooms in gold, orange, or white.
Why it works: Heat- and drought-tolerant, mildew-resistant, and blooms profusely all summer.
Best for: Hot patios, flower boxes, and full-sun balconies.
2. Convolvulus sabatius (Trailing Blue Convolvulus)
Also known as ground morning glory, this charming Mediterranean native offers trailing stems and soft violet-blue trumpet flowers. It thrives in containers with good drainage and loves full sun.
Why it works: Non-stop flowering and delicate trailing habit; great for hanging baskets or cascading from tall pots.
Best for: Sunny patios and Mediterranean-style gardens.
3. Wave Petunias
Wave petunias revolutionized petunia gardening. Unlike standard types, they don’t require constant deadheading and spread quickly without becoming leggy.
Their trailing stems and abundant flowers create a stunning waterfall of color.
Why it works: Low maintenance, resilient in rain, and long blooming from spring to frost.
Best for: Color-rich summer containers, especially in full sun.
4. Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata)
This fast-growing tropical vine produces small, vivid blooms with a dark central eye.
The vines wind their way through other plants or spill over the edges of containers in a dramatic fashion.
Why it works: Adds bold color and a whimsical look; attracts pollinators.
Best for: Trellised pots or large containers with room to trail and twine.
5. Bacopa (Sutera cordata)
Bacopa is a classic spiller that thrives in both sun and part shade. It features dainty flowers in white, lavender, or pink that bloom nonstop in cool weather and trail beautifully over pot edges.
Why it works: Constant flowering, compact habit, and graceful trailing stems.
Best for: Hanging baskets, window boxes, and mixed containers with partial sunlight.
6. Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus)
Known for its resilience, this heat-tolerant plant offers continuous blooms in vivid shades of pink, purple, and white. It creates a bushy mound but also sends out trailing stems when grown in containers.
Why it works: Exceptional tolerance to drought and heat, and blooms into fall.
Best for: Sunny, dry locations and low-maintenance summer pots.
7. Ivy Geraniums (Pelargonium peltatum)
Ivy geraniums are specifically bred for their cascading stems and glossy, ivy-like leaves.
Their semi-double blooms are long-lasting and come in a variety of vibrant colors.
Why it works: Elegant trailing stems, good drought tolerance, and continuous flowering with little effort.
Best for: Window boxes, railing planters, or hanging containers in cooler summer climates.
8. Golden Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’)
If you’re looking for foliage that spills dramatically and adds a pop of chartreuse, this is your plant.
It grows quickly and can cascade over the edges of containers or soften rock features in your garden.
Why it works: Vibrant color, fast growth, and excellent contrast with dark-foliaged or flowering plants.
Best for: Shady or moist areas where other spillers struggle.
9. Verbena
Verbena is a trailing perennial or annual (depending on your zone) that thrives in sun and produces masses of clustered flowers in red, purple, white, or pink.
Why it works: Tolerant of heat and drought; attracts butterflies; and provides bold color for months.
Best for: Hanging baskets, rock gardens, or containers in hot climates.
10. Licorice Plant (Helichrysum petiolare)
With silvery-gray foliage and a trailing habit, licorice plant is ideal for neutralizing bold colors and adding soft texture. Some varieties also feature variegated leaves for added interest.
Why it works: Low maintenance, heat-loving, and excellent for softening edges.
Best for: Mixed containers needing a neutral filler or trailing element.
11. Scaevola (Fan Flower)
Native to Australia, Scaevola gets its name from its fan-shaped petals. It’s a trailing plant that forms a thick mat, ideal for spilling over containers. It blooms in shades of purple, pink, or white.
Why it works: Thrives in heat and humidity, and continues to bloom even in drought.
Best for: Hanging baskets or pots in hot, humid climates.
12. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums offer edible blooms and leaves with a peppery flavor. These plants cascade beautifully and bring bright orange, yellow, or red flowers to your container garden.
Why it works: Edible, pest-repellent, and self-seeding; easy to grow from seed.
Best for: Edible gardens, balcony planters, and kid-friendly gardens.
How to Choose the Right Spiller
When choosing spillover plants for your container garden, keep these factors in mind:
- Sun exposure: Match the plant’s needs to the amount of sunlight your container receives daily.
- Color palette: Choose foliage or blooms that complement your thriller and filler plants.
- Growth habit: Make sure you give trailing plants enough room to drape naturally.
- Seasonality: Some spillers are best in spring and fall, while others thrive in peak summer.
Spillover plants add elegance, fullness, and character to every container garden.
Whether you’re going for classic charm or modern vibrancy, these trailing beauties soften hard edges, add cascading interest, and help create a more layered, professional look in your pots
