Tropical Planter

I do not have much of a green thumb, but I feel that no home is complete without a planter on their front porch. Hence another attempt at keeping $60.00 worth of plants alive through the summer, but this year I vow that they will stay alive.

First, I have a very difficult front porch. My front porch points directly west, and the summer heat sometimes makes the front porch unbearably hot. I have recorded temperatures of 117 degrees on that porch.

My approach was completely different this year. I research through Pinterest many different container arrangements, but I was unsure if they would survive. My husband suggested some sort of desert planter, but I don't think it would send the necessary welcoming message I was after.

One of the pins on Pinterest took me to Better Homes and Gardens. I explored the site a bit and found this very easily tropical planter. Then I went to Lowes Home Improvement Center and subbed out some of the flowers for even more "heat-loving" plants. I also meddled with the original planter plans because I do not have a four foot wide container.

I also waited until after our early summer vacation to purchase and plant the container. You just cannot trust some to water your flowers while you are gone. I have to say that I am very happy with the results, and the flowers seem to be thriving in the heat. I mist the flowers daily and give them Miracle Grow once a week.


This is my planter with a canna in the center of the back.  Two purple cone flowers flank the canna.  Two smaller green plants in the front (not in bloom are Marguerite Daisies (purple), and last around the front and the sides are 4 Alternanthera 'Red Thread'.    I will post more pictures as the other flowers bloom.