Spiller plants are species that trail over the edge of the pot with a cascading growth habit. Combined with erect-growing “thriller” plants as the focal point in container gardens, spillers bring texture, color, and visual interest to the rest of the pot. Trailing plants provide a “full look”, draping over edges of hanging baskets and containers.
Below is a list of 24 trailing plants (spillers) that compliment any container garden. This is not a complete plant listing.
- Dichondra (Dichondra spp.) has blue-green or silver foliage that spills over the edge of containers. Grow in full sun and moist well-drained soil. Highly recommend D. argentea ‘Silver Falls’ (Z 10-11).
- Licorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare) is grown for its small, a soft blue-gray leaves. Also, variegated leaf varieties are available. Grow in full sun and moist well-drained soil. (Z 9-11).
- Joseph’s Coat (Alternanthera dentata) is colorful foliage plant group that spills with charm. Grow in full sun and moist well-drained soil (Z 10-11).
- Bidens (Bidens ferulifolia) are covered with small, daisy-like flowers available in yellow, pinks, white, and orange that drape over the sides of a window box or hanging basket. Best in full sun and is drought tolerant. (Z 8-11).
- Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomea batatas) thrive in large containers. Choose from heart-shaped or oakleaf-like foliage, available in many colors from green, chartreuse, to almost black; dwarf-leaf varieties are also available; grow in full sun and moist well-drained soil. (Z 9-11).
- Tradescantia ‘Zebrina’ has a 9-inch trailing plant with multi-colored lance-shaped leaves. Rose-like flowers appear in spring. (Z 8-12)
- Poppy Mallow / Wine Cups (Callirhoe involucrata) is a stunning spiller (trailing) plant that produces vibrant cup-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white. (Z 4-8)
- Batface cuphea (Cuphea llavea) grows 20-30 inches tall and wide, covered with 1-inch tubular flowers with a purple calyx and a pair of red ear-like petals that resemble the face of a bat; attract hummingbirds and butterflies; best in full to partial sun and moist well drained soil. (Z 9-12).
- Mexican heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia) produces abundant purple flowers on a versatile, tidy, compact annual with finely textured, glossy, bright green foliage. In bloom continuously, well into fall. (Z 8-11).
- Firecracker plant (Cuphea x llavea) grows 18-28-inch-wide green stems with abundant yellow orange flowers all season long; pollinator and hummingbird fav. (Z 8-11).
- Tradescantia ‘Zebrina’ is a 9-inch trailing plant with multi-colored lance-shaped leaves and rose-like flowers in spring. (Z 8-12).
- Poppy Mallow or Wine Cups (Callirhoe involucrata) is a stunning spiller (trailing) plant that produces vibrant cup-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white. (Z 4-8).
- Nasturtium (Tropaeolum) form a mounding tumble of lily pad–like leaves and bright, cheerful flowers. Grow in partial sun, moist well-drained soil, and a cool site is preferred. (Z 9-11).
- Plectranthus (Plectranthus argentatus) is beloved for its silver-gray foliage. Varieties ‘Mona Lavender’ and ‘Silver Shield’ bear attractive, fuzzy, gray-green foliage with spiky sprays of lavender blooms from late summer to fall. (Z 8-11).
- Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) is a sweetly fragrant blooming annual that drape over the edges of containers, in the garden, or to fill nooks and crannies on walkways and walls. Favorite variety- Snow Princess™ (Z 7-10).
- Fan Flower (Scaevola) is an evergreen tropical plant with deep green leaves and odd little flowers that have petals only halfway around their center disks, giving them the look of a fan. Grow in full to partial sun and well-drained soil. (Z 10-11).
- Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata) has tiny five-petal flowers in yellow, peach, or white. Grow in full to partial sun and moist well-drained soil. (Z 10-11).
- Verbena (Verbena peruviana) is grown as an flowering annual in full sun and moist well-drained soil. They are also very heat tolerant. (Z 8-11).
- Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), aka annual vinca, is often used as a flowering ground cover that trails over the sides of containers. Grow in full to partial sun and well-drained soil. Recommend ‘Pacifica’, ‘Cora’, ‘Soiree’. (Z 10-11).
- Wave petunias (Petunia x hybrida) grows in full sun and moist well-drained, acidic soil; pinching and deadhead flowers in mid-summer for renewed flowering. (Z 10-11).
- Million Bells®, Super Bells® (Calibrachoa x) is a smaller flower cousin to petunias with same growing needs. (Z 10-11).
- Narrowleaf Zinnia (Zinnia angustifolia) are small-flowered spreading zinnias with much improved powdery mildew resistance. Profusion® and Zahara® series are highly rated. (Z 8-10).
- Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) has a viny trailing plant habit along with vibrant chartreuse leaves that rapidly in containers; considered invasive plant in garden areas. Grow in full sun and moist well-drained soil. (Z 4-9).
- Creeping Zinnia (Sanvitalia procumbens) forms a lush green mat covered in yellow flowers in summer that drape over sides of containers. Grow in full to part sun and moist well-drained soil. Z 2-11).