Filler Plants for Containers

A filler plant is the mounding, bushy element that ties a container together. It fills the gaps between your thriller and spiller, giving the whole planting a full, lush, finished look. In the thriller-spiller-filler formula, fillers do the heavy lifting in the middle of the pot. They add color, texture, and density that transforms a sparse container into something that looks intentional and abundant.

The number of filler plants you need depends on your pot size. A 12-inch pot typically needs one to two plants, while a 14-inch pot looks best with two to three. For an 18-inch pot, plan on three to five filler plants for full, even coverage. Larger containers of 20 inches or more may need four to six or more plants. That extra coverage is what gives an oversized pot a truly complete, abundant look.

Grey pot with tall purple grass, purple blooms, and white flowers cascading over the side in a garden setting
A close-up of Solera™ Dark Red Zonal Geranium (Pelargonium) blooms with lush green leaves - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulure, Inc.A brown pot holds vibrant Solera™ Dark Red Zonal Geranium (Pelargonium) flowers and lush green leaves - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulure, Inc. Decorative pot not included.

Solera™ Dark Red Zonal Geranium (Pelargonium)

$11.99
$11.99
Close-up of a lone cluster of vibrant pinkish red blooms, the Solera™ Fuchsia Zonal Geranium (Pelargonium) shine amid lush green leaves - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulure, Inc.A tan planter with vibrant pinkish-red blooms of Solera™ Fuchsia Zonal Geranium (Pelargonium) sits on a stone surface outdoors, surrounded by lush greenery and garden flowers - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulure, Inc. Decorative pot not included.

Solera™ Fuchsia Zonal Geranium (Pelargonium)

$11.99
$11.99
Close-up of pink Solera™ Lavender Zonal Geranium (Pelargonium) with green rounded leaves and vibrant pink-lavender blooms featuring subtle white streaks - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.A cluster of vibrant pink Solera™ Lavender Zonal Geranium (Pelargonium) flowers with green leaves and buds, patterned gray pots visible in tehe background - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

Solera™ Lavender Zonal Geranium (Pelargonium)

$11.99
$11.99

Vivid Solera™ Orange Zonal Geranium (Pelargonium) blooms stand out above lush green leaves with hints of magenta in the background - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.A close-up of vibrant Solera™ Orange Zonal Geranium (Pelargonium) flowers with green leaves blooming in a white textured planter—an ideal drought-tolerant option for containers, set against wooden planks and gray stones. - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

Solera™ Orange Zonal Geranium (Pelargonium)

$11.99
$11.99
Vivid scarlet blooms of the Solera™ Red Zonal Geranium (Pelargonium) burst among lush, scalloped leaves, with unopened buds nearby. A blurred background suggests a flourishing container garden filled with greenery - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Vibrant scarlet blooms of the Solera™ Red Zonal Geranium (Pelargonium) burst from a white textured pot, accented by lush green leaves and companion container garden displays in the background - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC. Decorative pot not included.

Solera™ Red Zonal Geranium (Pelargonium)

$11.99
$11.99
Clusters of Southern Blaze™ Red Hot Phlox bring bold red, heat- and drought-tolerant blooms to your garden, creating a lush scene of vibrant color among green foliage and accents of purple flowers - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.A planter filled with vibrant Southern Blaze™ Red Hot Phlox, known for its bright red and white blossoms surrounded by dark green leaves and displayed outdoors - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC. Decorative pot not included.

Southern Blaze™ Red Hot Phlox

$10.99
$10.99

Large green leaves with dark edges and pinkish-red centers from the Space Age™ Black Hole™ Rex Begonia are shown in front, while small clusters of purple flowers appear in the background for a striking shade garden display - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCClose-up of Space Age™ Black Hole™ Rex Begonia leaves with jagged edges, displaying silvery-green tones, deep pink, and dark purple veins—an eye-catching shade garden plant - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

Space Age® Black Hole™ Rex Begonia

$15.99
$15.99

A close-up of Space Age™ Europa™ Rex Begonia leaves with silvery-green centers, dark purple edges, and pinkish veins reveals unique spiral patterns and rich texture - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCClose-up of Space Age™ Europa™ Rex Begonia leaves. The green, pink, and purple foliage with textured surfaces and bold veins forms an eye-catching, colorful pattern - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

Space Age® Europa™ Rex Begonia

$15.99
$15.99
Sunbini® Creeping Zinnia (Sanvitalia) features bright yellow, daisy-like blooms with green centers amid dense, dark green foliage. This heat-tolerant plant offers a vibrant display of buds and blossoms - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCA cluster of Sunbini® Creeping Zinnia (Sanvitalia), with bright yellow blooms and green leaves, fills the frame in a vibrant, cheerful display - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

Sunbini® Creeping Zinnia (Sanvitalia)

$10.99
$10.99

Close-up of two Sunpatiens® Compact Blush Pink Impatiens with green leaves featuring reddish veins and serrated edges, highlighting their beauty and sun tolerance - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Sunpatiens® Compact Blush Pink Impatiens features clusters of five-petaled pink blooms amid dark green and maroon leaves, accented by light green and white foliage. These sun-tolerant plants bloom densely - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

Sunpatiens® Compact Blush Pink Impatiens

$10.99
$10.99
Close-up of a single Sunpatiens® Compact Deep Red Impatiens featuring vibrant red petals and lush green leaves - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc.A Sunpatiens® Compact Deep Red Impatiens with vibrant red blooms and green foliage sits on a tiled floor by a wooden fence. The plant is in a decorative black and beige woven pot, ideal for container gardens - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc. Decorative pot not included.

Sunpatiens® Compact Deep Red Impatiens

$10.99
$10.99

Close-up of Sunpatiens® Compact Deep Rose Impatiens featuring deep rose, five-petaled blooms with hints of purple at the edges, clustered among dark green leaves - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Close-up of Sunpatiens® Compact Deep Rose Impatiens, featuring vibrant pink blooms with five overlapping petals and lush green leaves - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

Sunpatiens® Compact Deep Rose Impatiens

$10.99
$10.99

Close-up of a vibrant Sunpatiens® Compact Hot Pink Impatiens flower with five rounded petals and glossy texture, surrounded by green leaves - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc.A dark ceramic pot filled with blooming Sunpatiens® Compact Hot Pink Impatiens and lush green leaves sits on a wooden surface among other vibrant plants - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc. Decorative pot not included.

Sunpatiens® Compact Hot Pink Impatiens

$10.99
$10.99

Sunpatiens® Compact Lavender Impatiens feature vibrant lavender blooms with rounded petals and lush green leaves - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulure, Inc.Sunpatiens® Compact Lavender Impatiens features lush dark green leaves and vibrant lavender blooms, forming a dense, colorful display - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

Sunpatiens® Compact Lavender Impatiens

$10.99
$10.99
A white, wavy ceramic pot holds lush green leaves and vibrant orange Sunpatiens® Compact Orange Impatiens - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc. Decorative pot not included.Two Sunpatiens® Compact Orange Impatiens with five rounded petals each bloom close together among glossy, dark green, serrated leaves - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

Sunpatiens® Compact Orange Impatiens

$10.99
$10.99

Close-up of a single Sunpatiens® Compact Orchid Blush Impatiens bloom with five rounded light pink petals and a small green center. Partially visible dark green leaves add contrast to this annual flower's soft texture - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulure, Inc.A potted Sunpatiens® Compact Orchid Blush Impatiens with abundant light purple blooms and dark green leaves sits on a woven mat outdoors near wooden decor and a metal lantern - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulure, Inc. Decorative pot not included.

Sunpatiens® Compact Orchid Blush Impatiens

$10.99
$10.99

Close-up of a single Sunpatiens® Compact Pink Flash Impatiens bloom, featuring five rounded pink petals with a green center and subtle white gradient, heat-tolerant and isolated on a white background - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulure, Inc.Close-up of several vibrant Sunpatiens® Compact Pink Flash Impatiens, heat-tolerant flowers with delicate pink petals and green leaves partly visible in the background - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

Sunpatiens® Compact Pink Flash Impatiens

$10.99
$10.99
A cluster of vibrant Sunpatiens® Compact Purple Impatiens blooms amid green leaves and variegated hosta foliage, creating a striking display in a garden bed - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Clusters of vibrant Sunpatiens® Compact Purple Impatiens bloom amid yellow-green ground cover, with open fields and trees beyond - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

SunPatiens® Compact Purple Impatiens

$10.99
$10.99

Clusters of vibrant pink, star-shaped Sunstar® Red Egyptian Star Flower (Pentas) with dark green leaves, pink flowers can be seen below it - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCSunstar® Red Egyptian Star Flower (Pentas) features bright pink, star-shaped flowers with white centers and bold green leaves - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC

Sunstar® Red Egyptian Star Flower (Pentas)

$10.99
$10.99

A close-up of Superbells Magic® Double Grapefruit Calibrachoa shows layered pink, yellow, and peach blooms—ideal for adding vibrant color and pattern to hanging baskets. - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.A green pot displays Superbells Magic® Double Grapefruit Calibrachoa, bursting with lush foliage and an abundance of yellow and pink double blooms - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc. Decorative pot not included.

Superbells Magic® Double Grapefruit Calibrachoa

$10.99
$10.99

Superbells® Magic™ Pink Lemonade Calibrachoa features clusters of pink, yellow, and white blooms among green leaves - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCA vibrant cluster of Superbells® Magic™ Pink Lemonade Calibrachoa blooms pink and yellow in sunlight, surrounded by lush green foliage and tall grasses - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC

Superbells Magic® Pink Lemonade Calibrachoa

$10.99
$10.99
Top down view of Superbells® Blue Moon Punch™ Calibrachoa features vibrant blooms with deep purple centers and yellow throats, set against green foliage - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCClose-up of Superbells® Blue Moon Punch™ Calibrachoa with rich purple blooms and dark centers, surrounded by green leaves and vibrant magenta flowers - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC

Superbells® Blue Moon Punch™ Calibrachoa

$10.99
$10.99
Close-up of vivid magenta flowers with yellow centers and lush foliage, accented by a pale pink bloom - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCSuperbells® Cherry Red Calibrachoa features vibrant magenta flowers with yellow centers and delicate veining - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

Superbells® Cherry Red Calibrachoa

$10.99
$10.99
Two Superbells® Evening Star™ Calibrachoa flowers with yellow and dark purple centers are surrounded by green leaves. The petals have a soft texture, and water droplets can be seen on one lavender bloom - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCA cluster of vibrant Superbells® Evening Star™ Calibrachoa, mostly purple with yellow centers, is paired with orange blooms and a white-purple flower amid green leaves on a wooden background - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC

Superbells® Evening Star™ Calibrachoa

$10.99
$10.99