Rainy days in Washington don’t have to keep you from enjoying a bit of gardening fun. Believe it or not, rain boots can become quirky little planters for some of the best plants around.
I love lining up my boots with bright greens and colorful flowers—it’s such a cheerful twist on gardening. These tiny boot gardens add personality to porches, patios, or even windowsills.
With just a little soil and a sprinkle of care, your boots can burst to life with thriving plants that brighten even the gloomiest Washington days.
1. Succulents
Hardy little survivors that love the excellent drainage a boot provides. In Washington’s rainy climate, they’re perfect for sunny spots where boots can dry out between showers.
Arrange different varieties for a stunning mini landscape that practically takes care of itself. The boot’s confined space actually helps prevent overwatering – a common succulent killer!
2. Strawberries
Trailing over the edges of colorful boots, these berries add both beauty and tasty treats to your garden. Washington’s climate provides just the right conditions for a bountiful harvest from spring to fall.
The boot’s depth offers perfect root protection while allowing runners to cascade down. Kids especially love picking fresh berries from these whimsical containers around the yard!
3. Mint
Famous for taking over gardens, mint stays perfectly contained in a boot planter. Its refreshing scent greets visitors when placed near walkways in Washington yards.
The confined space actually improves mint’s flavor by preventing excessive spreading. Just ensure good drainage by adding holes at the boot’s bottom to avoid waterlogging during those famous Washington downpours.
4. Pansies
Cheerful faces that brighten even the gloomiest Washington days with their vibrant colors. These hardy flowers thrive in cooler temperatures, making them perfect for spring and fall displays.
Their shallow root systems work wonderfully in boot planters without requiring much soil. Place them on porch steps for an instant mood-lifter during those long rainy months Washington is known for!
5. Ferns
Natural inhabitants of Washington’s forests, ferns bring woodland charm to boot planters. Their feathery fronds create a lush cascade that softens the boot’s rigid outline.
Most varieties thrive in the shade, perfect for those north-facing Washington porches. The boot’s waterproof nature helps maintain the consistent moisture ferns crave, mimicking their natural forest floor habitat.
6. Sedums
Drought-tolerant and colorful, these succulents create stunning displays in boot planters. Their star-shaped flowers attract butterflies to Washington gardens throughout summer months.
The excellent drainage in boots prevents root rot during Washington’s wet seasons. Low-maintenance and hardy, they’ll thrive even when other plants struggle with the state’s variable weather patterns.
7. Lettuce
Perfect for Washington’s mild springs and falls, lettuce grows beautifully in boot planters. The portable nature means you can chase optimal growing conditions around your yard as seasons change.
Harvest outer leaves while letting centers continue growing for weeks of fresh salads. The boot’s depth provides enough soil for healthy root development in Washington’s sometimes unpredictable weather.
8. Lavender
Fragrant and beautiful, lavender creates a stunning display while attracting pollinators to Washington gardens. The excellent drainage in boot planters prevents the root rot that often plagues this Mediterranean plant in the Pacific Northwest.
Place near walkways where brushing past releases its calming scent. Even in Washington’s rainy climate, lavender thrives when given proper drainage and sunny spots.
9. Hens-and-Chicks
These fascinating rosette-forming succulents create living sculptures in boot planters. Their ability to withstand Washington’s occasional temperature swings makes them remarkably reliable garden additions.
The “mother” plants produce tiny offsets (chicks) that fill in spaces beautifully. Their shallow roots thrive in the limited soil space of a boot while adding architectural interest to Washington patios and walkways.
10. Marigolds
Bright and cheery, marigolds bring vibrant orange and yellow blooms to Washington gardens from spring through fall. Their natural pest-repelling properties make them practical additions to vegetable gardens.
The boots’ height elevates these flowers for better visibility among other plants. Washington gardeners appreciate their resilience during summer dry spells when other flowers might struggle.
11. Chives
Both ornamental and edible, chives thrive in the confined space of boot planters. Their pretty purple pom-pom flowers attract beneficial insects to Washington gardens while providing fresh herbs for cooking.
The vertical growth habit maximizes the boot’s limited space efficiently. Washington’s rainfall usually provides enough moisture, making these herbs nearly maintenance-free once established.
12. Ivy
Cascading dramatically from boot tops, ivy creates stunning visual impact with minimal effort. Its trailing habit transforms ordinary rain boots into elegant hanging displays perfect for Washington porches.
The vigorous growth thrives in Washington’s moderate climate year-round. Choose variegated varieties for added interest when placed on steps or retaining walls around the yard.
13. Petunias
Prolific bloomers that cascade beautifully from boot tops in vibrant waves of color. Their heat tolerance makes them perfect for Washington’s sunny summer days when placed in full-sun locations.
The boot’s depth provides ample root space for continuous flowering all season. Wave varieties create particularly dramatic displays when allowed to spill over edges onto Washington patios and steps.
14. Basil
Fresh kitchen herbs right outside your Washington door in charming boot planters! Basil’s aromatic leaves thrive in the well-drained environment boots provide when properly prepared.
Place in sunny spots for best growth and flavor development. Washington’s summer temperatures are perfect for this Mediterranean herb, though you’ll want to bring boots under cover during heavy downpours.
15. Coleus
Grown primarily for their stunning foliage, coleus adds dramatic color without needing flowers. The vibrant leaves in patterns of burgundy, lime, and copper create instant visual impact in Washington gardens.
Their shade tolerance makes them perfect for porches and areas under trees. Washington’s mild summers prevent the leaf scorch that affects coleus in hotter regions of the country.
16. Thyme
Low-growing and aromatic, thyme cascades beautifully over boot edges. Its tiny leaves release delightful fragrance when brushed against in Washington garden pathways.
The excellent drainage in boots prevents the root rot that often affects herbs in Washington’s rainy climate. Drought-tolerant once established, it’s perfect for gardeners who sometimes forget to water!