Petunias, geraniums, impatiens and other annual flowers are popular reliable fillers for containers and landscape beds, but there are other options to provide summer color and interest to the garden. For an especially unique touch, try incorporating some of the tropical plants typically sold as indoor plants into your outdoor plant palette.

Shopping in the indoor plant section for outdoor plants really only adds one challenge: Light requirements on the labels refer to indoor conditions rather than outdoor. But all of these plants live outdoors somewhere, so they can live outdoors here for at least part of the year if given the right conditions.

Calla lilies

Kalanchoe

African violets

For best results with tropical plants outdoors, look primarily for plants labeled for bright indoor conditions. Even the shadiest places outside are typically brighter than a sunny window indoors. Some plants will be able to tolerate a wide range of light conditions, while plants labeled for low indoor light conditions may only tolerate dense shade outdoors.

Besides paying a little extra attention to the light requirements, mix and match plants just as if shopping only in the outdoor annual section. Old favorites can easily be mixed with indoor tropical plants. Use containers appropriate for the size and number of plants, and consider tucking larger planters into a corner or propping a few containers next to each other to keep the wind from blowing them over.

Parlor palm, bamboo palm, areca palm, rubber plant and other species of ficus, and schefflera will tolerate full sun to full shade outdoors. Plant them in the center or near the back of a large pot and fill in the edges with periwinkle, begonias or other flowers. For mid-size and small plants, try aloe, jade, kalanchoe, Calla lily, and ponytail palm, or use philodendron or Swedish ivy to drape over the sides of a container.

Anthurium, calathea, asparagus fern, Boston fern, maidenhair fern, African violet, peace lily, and ZZ plant are best kept in the shade if planted outdoors. Try mixing ferns with impatiens or begonias, or create a container of African violets or anthuriums for a unique outdoor look.

Outdoor planters often dry out more quickly than indoor planters because of increased light, temperature and wind, so be sure to check and water plants regularly. In very hot and dry conditions, containers may need to be watered daily or even twice a day.

Another benefit of planting indoor tropicals in outdoor containers is the ability to overwinter the plants and use them outdoors again next year. Some local garden centers will overwinter large plants in their greenhouses for customers for a small fee, so even large palms, ficus and other tropical trees could be re-used from year to year.

— Jennifer Smith is a former horticulture extension agent for K-State Research and Extension and horticulturist for Lawrence Parks and Recreation. Send your gardening questions and feedback to features@ljworld.com.