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
Southern Blaze™ Bright Pink Phlox boasts clusters of vibrant five-petaled flowers atop green foliage - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.The Southern Blaze™ Bright Pink Phlox, with vivid blooms and lush green leaves, overflows from a deep red ceramic pot - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc. Decorative pot not included.

Southern Blaze™ Bright Pink Phlox

$10.99
$10.99

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

A cluster of Southern Blaze™ White Phlox, a drought-tolerant plant, features fresh five-petaled white blooms with green leaves and buds, all appearing vibrant in natural light - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.A cluster of Southern Blaze™ White Phlox blooms among vibrant red phlox and lush green foliage in a picturesque garden - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

Southern Blaze™ White 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
Large, textured green leaves with white speckles and veins overlap, while small pink and yellow flowers emerge between the leaves - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCThe Space Age™ Triton™ Rex Begonia features large green leaves with striking white spots that create a frosted look - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

Space Age® Triton™ Rex Begonia

$15.99
$15.99
Sprengeri Asparagus Fern with feathery green foliage in a round, dark gray ceramic pot—an easy-to-grow annual ideal for pots or hanging baskets, shown here against a white background - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc. Decorative pot not included.A window box with Sprengeri Asparagus Fern, deep purple foliage, and pink flowers sits below multi-pane windows reflecting trees and warm light - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

Sprengeri Asparagus Fern

$10.99
$10.99

Close-up of 'Starblast Pink' Euphorbia, an annual featuring delicate pink and white bracts on slender green stems. The image captures the plant’s vibrant, intricate foliage in a striking floral display - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulure, Inc.Starblast Pink' Euphorbia features elongated green leaves mottled with dark and light patches, accented by small pink and white star-shaped flowers plus matching bracts, making it a striking annual for vibrant garden displays - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC

Starblast Pink' Euphorbia

$10.99
$10.99

A close-up of the Starlet™ Velvet Petunia highlights its velvety black petals and dark center, framed by lush green leaves - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc.A cluster of Starlet™ Velvet Petunia, with deep purple, velvety flowers and green leaves, trails beautifully in bright sunlight - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

Starlet™ Velvet Petunia

$10.99
$10.99

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

Two vibrant pink Sundenia® Coral Dipladenia flowers with yellow centers bloom among green leaves on a black trellis - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

Sundenia® Coral Dipladenia

$11.99
$11.99

A close-up of Sundenia® Red Dipladenia, a tropical plant with five bold red petals and a vivid orange center, lush green leaves surrounding it - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

Sundenia® Red Improved Dipladenia

$11.99
$11.99
Three wide-petaled Sundenia® Suprema Vivid Pink Dipladenia flowers with yellow centers bloom among lush green leaves, creating a fresh and vibrant tropical display in natural light. - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulure, Inc.The Sundenia® Suprema Vivid Pink Dipladenia, a compact plant with vibrant pink five-petaled flowers, yellow centers, and dark green leaves, blooms against a white corrugated background as some buds remain unopened. - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulure, Inc.

Sundenia® Suprema Vivid Pink Dipladenia

$11.99
$11.99
A close-up of the Sundenia® White Dipladenia, a tropical flowering plant with five light pink petals and a yellow center, set against vibrant green foliage - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Close-up of two Sundenia® White Dipladenia flowers with yellow centers and lush green leaves. Their soft, overlapping petals highlight the tropical beauty of this vibrant flowering plant - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

Sundenia® White Dipladenia

$11.99
$11.99
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
A close-up of a single Sunpatiens® Compact Classic White Impatiens flower with five petals, surrounded by glossy green leaves, appearing fresh and vibrant in natural light - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Sunpatiens® Compact Classic White Impatiens bloom with lush green leaves in front of tall, thin, reddish-purple ornamental grass, creating a vibrant contrast that highlights the delicate white flowers - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

SunPatiens® Compact Classic White 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

Three vibrant Sunpatiens® Compact Hot Coral Impatiens bloom amid dark green, serrated leaves. Each long-blooming flower features five rounded petals that overlap closely, forming a lush, colorful cluster ideal for full sun - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc.Top view of Sunpatiens® Compact Hot Coral Impatiens with vibrant orange blooms and green foliage, thriving - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc. Decorative pot not included.

SunPatiens® Compact Hot Coral 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
Close-up of Sunpatiens® Compact Lavender Splash Impatiens, featuring soft, delicate lavender-pink blooms with darker centers and lush dark green leaves - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulure, Inc.A cluster of vibrant pink Sunpatiens® Compact Lavender Splash Impatiens with darker centers and green leaves. These sun-to-shade flowers have overlapping petals and a fresh, healthy look - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

Sunpatiens® Compact Lavender Splash 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