19 Window Box Ideas to Brighten Up Your Exterior

Window box

Searching for new ways to flex your green thumb? Or looking to give your home’s exterior a miniature facelift? Window boxes could be the answer!

Window boxes offer the perfect place to grow your favorite plants without taking up valuable lawn space or digging into the ground. There’s no easier way to bring a hint of life and color to your home with minimal time, money, and labor.

Keep reading for some of the best window box ideas and how to recreate them to suit your own home!

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1. Choose Simple Greens for Serenity

Focus on creating a lush, minimalist aesthetic by planting a variety of greenery in your window box. Select plants like boxwood, ivy, and hostas for their diverse leaf textures and shades of green, which can create a serene and cohesive look.

Boxwood in a window box
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2. Plant Vibrant Petunias

Utilize the vibrant colors and full blooms of petunias to create a lively window display. These flowers thrive in window boxes, providing a cascade of color. Remember to choose a mix of trailing and upright varieties for a dynamic appearance.

Petunias in a window box
Petunias in a window box
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Petunias in a window box

3. Add Color with Geraniums

Geraniums offer a traditional and colorful option for window boxes. They require minimal maintenance and bloom abundantly. Group different colors for a striking contrast or stick to one shade for a monochromatic scheme.

Red Geraniums in a window box
Red Geraniums in a window box
Pink Geraniums in a window box
Pink Geraniums in a window box
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4. Mix Variety of Flowers

Create an eye-catching display by combining different flower types. Think about varying heights, textures, and colors. Consider seasonal blooms for year-round interest and ensure each plant has similar sunlight and watering needs.

Purple window box arrangement
Source: @totustourschs via Instagram
Pansies with foliage plants
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Coleus and Spide plant in a window box
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Plant in a window box
Plant in a window box
Plant in a window box

5. Make a Bold Statement with Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas make a bold statement with their large, lush blooms. Select a dwarf variety suitable for window boxes. These plants prefer morning sun and afternoon shade, so position them accordingly.

Pink window box arrangement
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Pink window box arrangement
Blue window box arrangement

6. Fill With Rainforest Plants

Transform your window box into a mini rainforest with plants like small ferns, philodendrons, and begonias. These plants thrive in humid conditions and can create a lush, tropical feel.

Window box arrangement with rainforest plants
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Window box arrangement with rainforest plants
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7. Opt for Bushy Types

Select plants known for their dense, bushy growth like lavender, boxwood, and dwarf junipers. These plants provide fullness and a structured look, making them ideal for a polished window box display.

Window box arrangement with bushy plants
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Window box arrangement with bushy plants
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Window box arrangement with bushy plants
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8. Poinsettia Window Box

During the holiday season, a window box filled with poinsettias can add festive cheer. These plants need protection from the cold, so consider this option for milder climates or as a temporary holiday display.

Red window box arrangement
Source: @thelondonagent via Instagram

9. Mix & Match Perennial

Plant a combination of perennials for a window box that evolves throughout the seasons. Choose plants with varied blooming times for a display that changes and grows throughout the year.

Window with vibrant flowers in a box planter
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Window with vibrant flowers in a box planter
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Mix and match perennials
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10. Mount to the Wall With Coco Fiber

Use coco fiber liners in your window boxes for a natural look and efficient drainage. These liners also help retain moisture, benefiting plants. Mounting them to the wall can add a rustic or traditional touch to your home’s exterior.

Window box arrangement on coco fiber
Source: @windowboxca via Instagram
Window box arrangement on coco fiber
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Window box arrangement on coco fiber
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Window box arrangement on coco fiber
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Window box arrangement on coco fiber
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Window box arrangement on coco fiber
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Window box arrangement on coco fiber
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Window box arrangement on coco fiber
Source: @totustourschs via Instagram

11. Set Up a Succulent Display

Create a low-maintenance, modern display with a variety of succulents. They thrive in well-drained conditions and can tolerate direct sunlight, making them perfect for window boxes.

Succulent window box arrangement
Source: @i_am_the_plant_man via Instagram

12. Install a Low Window Box

A low-profile window box is unobtrusive yet elegant. It’s ideal for growing herbs or small flowering plants and works well on windows where you don’t want to obstruct the view.

Low window box planter
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Low window box planter
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Low window box planter
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Low window box planter
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13. Match the Window Box With the Shutters

Coordinate the color and style of your window box with your shutters for a harmonious exterior. This approach ties the elements of your home’s facade together, creating a cohesive and thoughtful design.

Matching window box and shutters
Source: @trescarmen via Instagram

14. Standalone Window Box Planter

Consider a freestanding window box planter for flexibility in placement. This type is perfect for adding greenery to windows without ledges or for creating symmetry in your design.

Standalone window box
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Standalone window box
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Standalone window box
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Standalone window box
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Standalone window box
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Standalone window box
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15. Eucalyptus & Fern Window Box Arrangement

Combine eucalyptus with ferns for a window box with varied textures and soothing green tones. This pairing is not only visually appealing but also fragrant, adding a sensory element to your space.

Eucalyptus and fern window box arrangement
Source: @tudbinks via Instagram

16. Barn-Style Window Box

For a rustic charm, use a barn-style window box. This style typically features distressed wood and a simple design, complementing farmhouse or country-style homes.

Barn style window box
Source: @fultonfinewoodworks via Instagram

17. Classic White Window Box

A white window box offers a classic and versatile look. It can highlight colorful plants effectively and matches well with any exterior paint color, providing a crisp, clean appearance.

White window box
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White window box
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White window box
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White window box
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White window box
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White window box
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White window box
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White window box
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White window box
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18. Wooden Window Box

Wooden window boxes add a natural, warm element to your home’s exterior. They can be painted or stained to match your home’s style and are ideal for a range of plants, from flowers to herbs.

Wooden window box
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Wooden window box
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Wooden window box
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Wooden window box
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19. Concrete Window Box

A concrete window box is a durable and modern choice. Its solid construction and neutral color make it suitable for architectural plants, like succulents or ornamental grasses, and it complements contemporary home styles.

Concrete window box
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