Metal window boxes offer a beautiful, durable home for a wide range of plants — but not every plant is equally well suited. The key is matching your plant choices to the box depth, aspect (sun or shade), and the season you're planting for. Here are our top picks.
For a Sunny South- or West-Facing Aspect
If your window box catches plenty of sun, you're in luck — the widest range of plants will thrive here.
- Lavender – Structural, fragrant, and drought-tolerant. Looks stunning in a steel box and comes back year after year.
- Pelargoniums (Geraniums) – Long-flowering and low-maintenance. Available in rich reds, pinks, and whites that pop against dark metal finishes.
- Trailing Verbena – Cascades beautifully over the front of a box and flowers from May through to the first frosts.
- Herbs – Thyme, rosemary, and basil all love a sunny spot. A herb window box just outside the kitchen is both practical and attractive.
For a Shady North- or East-Facing Aspect
Shade needn't mean dull. These plants perform well with limited direct sun.
- Fuchsias – Pendulous flowers in jewel tones that thrive in partial shade and look spectacular trailing over a dark metal box.
- Begonias – Reliable, long-flowering, and available in a huge range of colours. Ideal for a shaded front aspect.
- Ferns and Hostas – For a more architectural, foliage-led look. Pair with a simple, dark-finish box for a contemporary feel.
- Ivy – Evergreen and virtually indestructible. Excellent as a filler or trailer in mixed plantings.
For Year-Round Structure
If you want your window boxes to look good in every season, mix in some evergreen structure alongside seasonal colour.
- Dwarf conifers or box balls – Provide a formal, structured look that works year-round.
- Ornamental grasses – Add movement and texture. Varieties like Festuca glauca suit the clean lines of a metal box beautifully.
- Cyclamen – Perfect for autumn and winter colour when summer bedding has finished.
- Pansies and violas – Hardy enough to flower through mild winters and early spring.
Planting Tips for Metal Boxes
Metal heats up faster than terracotta or wood, which can dry out compost more quickly in summer. Use a good-quality peat-free compost with added water-retaining granules, and check moisture levels regularly during warm spells. Ensure your box has adequate drainage holes — all our planters are supplied with drainage.
Browse our full range of metal window boxes to find the right size for your planting scheme, or explore our garden planters for larger freestanding displays.