10 Patio Ideas With Plants That Make Furniture Feel Completely Optional

Idea 9: Aquatic Plant Ponds in a Pot

While setting up a zen patio space to photograph for The Home Growns, I bought this incredibly heavy, ridiculously expensive stone fountain. I thought it would elevate the entire space and make it feel like a luxury spa.

Instead, the motor burned out in three weeks, it leaked constantly over my pavers, and it became a total mosquito magnet.

That massive, expensive failure forced me to figure out how to bring the relaxing element of water into an outdoor room without relying on bulky, high-maintenance hardware.

The Easy Water Bowl Trick

The absolute best alternative to a clunky fountain is building a simple aquatic plant pond right inside a single pot. You just take a large, glazed ceramic or thick resin planter and make sure there are absolutely zero drainage holes in the bottom.

Fill it up with fresh water and drop in some gorgeous dwarf water lilies alongside cute little clusters of floating water lettuce.

It instantly replaces the need for expensive running water features or heavy decorative statues. Plus, watching the sunlight bounce off a perfectly still water bowl is incredibly calming and anchors your patio beautifully.

Keeping Your Mini Pond Crystal Clear

Now, I know exactly what you are probably thinking right now. Aren’t still water features just going to breed a million mosquitoes next to my seating area?

The secret to keeping your potted water feature totally clear and completely bug-free is incredibly simple. Just toss half of a natural, safe mosquito dunk into the water every few weeks to stop any larvae from hatching.

You also just want to quickly scoop out any dead leaves that blow in so the water stays crisp and fresh all season long.

It takes maybe two minutes of maintenance a month, which is way easier than scrubbing mildew off a plastic patio chair! And speaking of easy wins, you definitely do not need a giant backyard to grow your own food, so hit the next button below because I am going to show you exactly how to turn your relaxing patio into a gorgeous, productive edible lounge!