Thriller Plants for Containers

Thriller plants for containers are the stars of the show. They're tall, bold, and dramatic enough to anchor any planting and draw the eye straight to your container. In the classic thriller-spiller-filler formula, the thriller goes in the back or center to add height and visual impact. You'll find them in annuals, perennials, edibles, and shrubs, so there's a thriller to suit every style and season.

For containers between 12 and 18 inches in diameter, one thriller plant gives you the height and drama you need. It's the perfect starting point for any upright container planting. Larger containers over 18 inches may need two or more thriller plants to fill the space properly. When you use multiples, stick with the same variety as that repetition creates a cleaner, more intentional look.

A modern white planter filled with tall purple flowers, bright yellow blooms, small blue flowers, and green foliage, arranged in a vibrant, colorful display.
Close-up of Surefire® Cherry Cordial™ Begonia features bright red flowers and dark green, glossy leaves - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCSurefire® Cherry Cordial™ Begonia boasts vibrant red flowers and dark glossy green leaves, creating a lush display among green foliage and purple blooms beside a light-colored fence - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC

Surefire® Cherry Cordial™ Begonia

$10.99
$10.99

A cluster of Surefire® Red Begonia, a drought-tolerant annual with shiny green leaves and yellow-centered red blooms, offers a long-lasting floral display in outdoor gardens - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCA large black planter filled with Surefire® Red Begonia—an annual with glossy green leaves and long-lasting red blooms—sits on mulch by a sidewalk, scattered petals nearby and lush greenery visible in the background - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC. Decorative pot not included.

Surefire® Red Begonia

$10.99
$10.99

Clusters of bright pink Surefire Rose Begonia flowers with yellow centers stand out among green and purple foliage - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCThe Surefire® Rose Begonia, with striking pink blooms and deep green leaves, complementing greenery and hydrangeas in any landscape - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC

Surefire® Rose Begonia

$10.99
$10.99

A lush garden bed features Surefire® White Begonia with white flowers and yellow centers, surrounded by green foliage and other flowering plants in the background - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCMasses of Surefire® White Begonia, with white blooms and rounded green leaves, flourish in front of yellow-green foliage and are bordered by lush grass at the bottom of the scene - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC

Surefire® White Begonia

$10.99
$10.99

The Sweet Caroline Upside® Black Coffee™ Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine, with long, pointed dark purple leaves, grows by a white fence amid colorful flowers in a vibrant garden - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.A bush of Sweet Caroline Upside® Black Coffee™ Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea) with dark purple, slender leaves grows before a white picket fence, surrounded by green grass and yellow-green plants. Thin vine stems hint at its climbing nature - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

Sweet Caroline Upside™ Black Coffee Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea)

$10.99
$10.99
The Sweet Caroline Upside® Key Lime Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea) climbs a wooden pergola with heart-shaped leaves and clusters of dark purple flowers, plus one yellow bloom, set against blue sky and vibrant garden flowers - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Close-up of the vibrant, deeply lobed leaves of Sweet Caroline Upside® Key Lime Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea), highlighting its bright yellow-green color and distinctive shape - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

Sweet Caroline Upside™ Key Lime Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea)

$10.99
$10.99
Several tall stems of Toucan® Coral Canna Lily (Canna), a striking tropical plant with broad green leaves, grow in a vibrant garden bed surrounded by colorful flowers and lush foliage on a sunny day - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCA Toucan® Coral Canna Lily (Canna) with large orange petals blooms amid green leaves and slender, dark, grass-like foliage in a tropical garden setting - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC

Toucan® Coral Canna Lily (Canna)

$15.99
$15.99

Close-up of a vibrant Toucan® Scarlet Canna Lily (Canna) with ruffled scarlet red petals, displayed against a blurred backdrop of green foliage - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

Toucan® Scarlet Canna Lily (Canna)

$15.99
$15.99

A close-up of the Toucan® Yellow Canna Lily (Canna) highlights its yellow petals with speckled orange markings, set against large green leaves and lush foliage in a bright tropical garden - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCToucan® Yellow Canna Lily (Canna) blooms with green leaves in sunlight by a stone wall and concrete ground, while purple and pink tropical garden plants are partly visible at the bottom of the image - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC

Toucan® Yellow Canna Lily (Canna)

$15.99
$15.99

A close-up of Unplugged® Pink Salvia, a drought-tolerant annual with vibrant pink-purple flower spikes, tubular blossoms on dark stems, and green leaves. Mealycup sage blooms appear in the background. - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Unplugged® Pink Salvia features clusters of vibrant purple-pink tubular flowers and textured green leaves, creating a lush display. This drought-tolerant annual thrives in tough conditions, adding beauty to any garden. - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

Unplugged® Pink Salvia

$10.99
$10.99
A garden bed featuring Unplugged® So Blue™ Salvia, its vibrant blue flower spikes standing above lush green foliage, with clusters of pink blooms in the background—creating a lively, textured pollinator garden. - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.A close-up of tall Unplugged® So Blue™ Salvia showcases blue flower spikes and lush green foliage—ideal for adding vibrant color and attracting pollinators to your garden. - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

Unplugged® So Blue™ Salvia

$10.99
$10.99

Close-up of Upscale® 'Lavender Taffeta' Bee Balm (Monarda) with vibrant pink, spiky petals and dark green leaves with fringed tubular blooms densely clustered for a striking garden display - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.A dense group of vibrant lavender-pink Upscale® 'Lavender Taffeta' Bee Balm (Monarda) with jagged petals blooms in a garden bed, surrounded by green foliage. Blurred greenery is in the background - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

Upscale® 'Lavender Taffeta' Bee Balm (Monarda)

$18.99
$18.99

A dense group of Upscale® 'Pink Chenille' Bee Balm (Monarda) with spiky pink blooms and green leaves brightens a garden bed near grass and mulch - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.Bushes of Upscale® 'Pink Chenille' Bee Balm (Monarda) display vibrant pink blooms above green foliage, set against a grassy backdrop. Red bee balm is planted to the left, and purple bee balm to the right - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

Upscale® 'Pink Chenille' Bee Balm (Monarda)

$18.99
$18.99

A dense cluster of Upscale® 'Red Velvet' Bee Balm (Monarda) with spiky red petals and lush green leaves grows in the garden, surrounded by other perennials and purple flowers in the background - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Close-up of a cluster of vibrant Upscale® 'Red Velvet' Bee Balm (Monarda) blooming outdoors, featuring spiky red petals and dark green leaves - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

Upscale® 'Red Velvet' Bee Balm (Monarda)

$18.99
$18.99
Close-up of Vermillionaire® Large Firecracker Plant (Cuphea) with clusters of tubular, orange-red, yellow-tipped blooms and lush green leaves - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCA dense bush of Vermillionaire® Large Firecracker Plant (Cuphea) fills the frame, with dark green foliage and abundant tubular orange blooms clustered along thin stems - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC

Vermillionaire® Large Firecracker Plant (Cuphea)

$10.99
$10.99

Close-up of vibrant deep red dahlias, Virtuoso™ Classy Carmine™ Dahlia with layered petals, surrounded by green leaves and a few unopened yellow-green buds - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.A white pot brimming with lush green foliage and abundant Virtuoso™ Classy Carmine™ Dahlia blooms displays deep red petals on a plain white background - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc. Decorative pot not included.

Virtuoso® Classy Carmine™ Dahlia

$10.99
$10.99

Virtuoso™ Dayglo Yellow™ Dahlia showcases vivid yellow blooms in a compact form, highlighted by lush green foliage and intricate petal patterns for a stunning display of color - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.A white pot yellow Virtuoso™ Dayglo Yellow™ Dahlia flowers in full bloom, set against a plain white background - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc. Decorative pot not included.

Virtuoso® Dayglo Yellow™ Dahlia

$10.99
$10.99
A cluster of Virtuoso™ Pinkerific™ Dahlia pink flowers in full bloom, set among green leaves and other garden plants by a white fence - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCA close-up of a large Virtuoso™ Pinkerific™ Dahlia in full bloom shows its layered pink flowers radiating from a yellow center, surrounded by green leaves - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

Virtuoso® Pinkerific™ Dahlia

$10.99
$10.99

A close-up of bright raspberry pink Virtuoso™ Rad Raz™ Dahlia flowers with lush green leaves, layered petals radiating outward along with several buds and partially opened blooms - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.A white pot holds green Virtuoso™ Rad Raz™ Dahlia plant, displaying abundant raspberry pink layered blooms and several unopened buds - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc. Decorative pot not included.

Virtuoso® Rad Raz® Dahlia

$10.99
$10.99

A close-up of Virtuoso™ Vibrant Violet™ Dahlia in full bloom, featuring magenta and purple hues. Surrounded by green leaves and buds - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.A white pot holds lush green leaves and blooming purple Virtuoso™ Vibrant Violet™ Dahlia flowers, set against a plain white background - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc. Decorative pot not included.

Virtuoso® Vibrant Violet™ Dahlia

$10.99
$10.99
Close-up of Volcanica™ French Quarters Coleus leaves, featuring jagged edges, bright green borders, deep pink centers, and dark purple patches. This shade annual’s colorful, densely packed foliage creates striking contrast - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCClose-up of Volcanica™ French Quarters Coleus—this eye-catching plant has jagged bright green edges, deep pink centers, and rich maroon patterns, making it a striking shade annual - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulure, Inc.

Volcanica™ French Quarters Coleus

$10.99
$10.99

Wanda Purple' Garden Mum (Chrysanthemum) showcases vibrant magenta blooms with lush green foliage—an ideal fall-blooming flower to enhance any garden. - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCA close-up of 'Wanda Purple' Garden Mum (Chrysanthemum) shows dense clusters of vibrant blooms with layered petals and some unopened buds, highlighting the striking beauty of these fall-blooming flowers. - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC

Wanda Purple' Garden Mum (Chrysanthemum)

$11.99
$11.99
Close-up of vibrant red Wanda Red' Garden Mum (Chrysanthemum) in full bloom with some green buds, surrounded by dark green leaves - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCA dense cluster of vibrant red Wanda Red' Garden Mum (Chrysanthemum) in full bloom, with green leaves peeking through beneath the flowers - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC

Wanda Red' Garden Mum (Chrysanthemum)

$11.99
$11.99

The Wanda™ Bronze Garden Mum (Chrysanthemum) features lush green leaves and abundant orange-red fall blooms, presented in a pot against a white background. - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulture

Wanda™ Bronze Garden Mum (Chrysanthemum)

$11.99
$11.99