15 Best Window Box Vines
When it comes to adding a little bit of greenery to your outdoor living space, there’s nothing quite like the addition of a window box or planter. They’re perfect for those small areas of your home or garden that need a little bit of something special. And one of the best ways to fill out a flower box or plant container is by planting hanging or flowering vines. Vines can be a great addition by adding texture, color, and variety to your outdoor space. Depending on the type of vine you choose, they can be used to create a lush, vertical garden or a delicate, cascading display. Here we will discuss the points to consider for types of vines and more.
Considerations for Window Box Vines
Before choosing a type of vine, there are a few factors you need to consider.
What type of climate are you in (cold, temperate, or tropical)?
How much sun or shade does the area have?
Do you want a flowering vine or one that does not produce flowers?
How much maintenance are you willing to do?
Types of Window Box Vines
Once you have considered these factors, you can begin to narrow down your choices. There are three types of vines for window boxes:
Flowering Vines: These are popular for their colorful blooms and ability to attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. Some of the most popular flowering vines include morning glories, clematis, and jasmine.
Non-Flowering Vines: These are often chosen for their lush foliage and interesting textures. Some popular non-flowering vines include ivy, Boston ivy, and English ivy.
Fruit-Producing Vines: If you want to add a little something extra to your outdoor space, consider a fruit-producing vine. These can include grapes, kiwi, and passion fruit.
15 Most Popular Window Box Vines
Now that we know the types and points to consider for growing vines, it's time to get into the specifics. Here are the top 15 vines that can be grown in the given condition;
1. Sweet Potato Vine: Sweet potato vine is perhaps one of the most popular. It flows well, grows in spring, summer, and fall and is easy to maintain. It can go in the front of any window box and give it trailing volume making it a great greenery accent. Some vines can hang for several feet if properly nurtured.
2. English Ivy: English ivy has large foliage and is characterized by large, dark leaves. It grows well in part shade areas and grows fast, hanging and attaching itself to whatever it can. Make sure that it is not overwatered, if need be, use a self-watering window box with a reservoir system to keep the perfect amount.
3. Boston Ivy: Boston ivy is a fast-growing and hardy vine that’s perfect for filling out your window box or planter. It has lush green foliage that can be trained to grow in any direction. It’s also hardy enough to handle a variety of climates, so it’s perfect for those who live in the colder climates. It’s also a hardy vine, so you won’t have to worry about it dying off in the winter.
4. Wave Petunia: Petunias come in many colors and have a trailing effect. Though some varieties have a less cascading result, so check with your nursery. Wave petunias need lots of space and lots of watering to thrive. They also need lots of sunlight to grow full and strong. When given fertilizer wave petunia will grow extremely well and may make it hard for companion plants to grow next to it.
5. Creeping Jenny Vine: Creeping Jenny vine is an evergreen that grows fast. It slows down in the winter and returns strong in the spring making it an easy to care for window box vine. It also can grow long and trail, even attaching itself to the surrounding wall so be careful, as this can look great in some instance or feel invasive.
6. Morning Glory: Morning glory is a beautiful and vibrant vine that’s perfect for filling out your window box or planter. It has beautiful bell-shaped flowers that come in a range of colors, from white and pink to purple and blue. It’s a fast grower, so you won’t have to wait long to see it fill out your window box or planter. It’s also a hardy vine, so it can handle a variety of climates.
7. String of Hearts: This trailing succulent window box plant prefers shade and does well with little watering. It can even be used for indoor and outdoor planters. It can grow up to 12' long and is also known as Ceropogia or Rosary Vine.
8. Moonflower: Moonflower is a beautiful and fragrant vine that’s perfect for adding to your window box or planter. It has large white flowers that open in the evening, giving off a beautiful fragrance. It’s a fast grower, so you won’t have to wait long to see it fill out your window box or planter. It’s also a hardy vine, so it can handle a variety of climates.
9. Star Jasmine: Star jasmine is a beautiful and fragrant vine that’s perfect for adding to your window box or planter. It has white star-shaped flowers that are incredibly fragrant. It’s a fast grower, so you won’t have to wait long to see it fill out your window box or planter. It’s also a hardy vine, so it can handle a variety of climates.
10. Pink Mandevilla Vine: This flowering vine comes in pink and redish flowers. This tropical vine grows best in zones 8-10 which includes the south and California. This five pointed flowers thrives in the sun, tolerates drying out, and grows fast.
11. Passion Flower: Passion flower is a beautiful and fragrant vine that’s perfect for adding to your window box or planter. It has large, exotic flowers that come in shades of white, pink, and purple. It’s a fast grower, so you won’t have to wait long to see it fill out your window box or planter. It’s also a hardy vine, so it can handle a variety of climates.
12. Trumpet Vine: Trumpet vine is a colorful and vibrant vine that’s perfect for filling out your window box or planter. It has trumpet-shaped flowers that come in shades of orange, yellow, and red. It’s a fast grower, so it won’t take long for it to fill out your window box or planter. It’s also a hardy vine, so it can handle a variety of climates.
13. Pothos Vine: This vine thrives in shade and indirect light but is easy to care for. Be careful not to ingest, however, and avoid if you have pets as it can be an irritant and may cause rashes in sensitive people.
14. Silver Falls Dichondra: This unique vine has a unique silvery tone of green color. Dichondra thrives in warmer and drier climates. This plant is a medium trailer and will trail just a couple feet at most from your window box. The silvery leaves, however, work great against red and pink flowers and plants.
15. Clematis: Clematis is an incredibly popular vine, thanks to its wide variety of colors and its ability to thrive in many different climates. It’s perfect for adding a cascade of color and texture to your window box or planter. Depending on the variety you choose, you can get blooms in colors ranging from white and pink to purple and blue. It’s also a fairly fast growing vine, so you can quickly fill out your window box or planter.
How to Plant Vines in a Flower Box
Once you have chosen a type of vine, it’s time to get planting. Here are some tips for successfully planting vines in window boxes, flower boxes, and planters. Make sure the container is well-draining and has plenty of space for the roots to spread out. If the vine is in a pot, use a potting mix that is high in organic matter. If the vine is in a planter, use a mix of soil, compost, and sand. Water the soil thoroughly before planting. Plant the vines at the same depth they were in the previous container. After planting, water the soil again and add a layer of mulch to help retain moisture.
Once you have planted your vines, you will need to keep up with regular maintenance. This includes watering, fertilizing, pruning, and pest control. Depending on the type of vine you have chosen, you may need to do some additional tasks such as trellising or training the vine.
Conclusion
When it comes to adding a little bit of color and texture to your outdoor living space, there’s nothing quite like the addition of a window box, flower box, or planter. And one of the best ways to fill out a window box, flower box, or planter is by planting some of the most vibrant vines out there. The vines listed above are just a few of the most popular, so feel free to explore and experiment with different varieties to find the perfect one for your space.
 About the Author
Matthew Buquoi is the owner of Flower Window Boxes, Inc., which is one of the largest online window box companies in the United States. In addition to being the owner, he is also an expert author, and regularly writes about industry topics in the window boxes, planters, exterior shutters, and home and garden industry.
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