The Best Agapanthus to Grow in Pots

Agapanthus 'Charlotte', blue, compact and evergreen.

Measuring 60 cm at maturity, agapanthus ‘Charlotte’ is a compact and very floriferous plant. From June to September it produces 12 cm-diameter spheres made up of star-shaped flowers in a pale blue, veined with dark blue. With its unusual colouring and abundant flowering, it can serve as a focal point on a terrace in a contemporary or exotic style. Another advantage is that its foliage is evergreen, and you can enjoy attractive clumps of decorative leaves even in winter. And if you enjoy making bouquets to brighten your home, you will find the agapanthus ‘Charlotte’ lends itself well to this.

To give it every favourable condition for its cultivation, plant it in a large pot and place it in full sun and sheltered from winds. It thrives in a rich, deep, not-too-dry and well-draining substrate. Not very hardy, it will tolerate down to -6°C and should be stored away in a frost-free place in winter in an unheated space.

Agapanthus 'Pitchoune White', glowing white globes.

Another compact variety, Agapanthus ‘Pitchoune White’ brightens up container pots with its immaculate white flower spheres that appear on sturdy stems, from July to September. It is floriferous and grows to 60 cm at maturity, making it ideal for container growing. Its umbels are made up of 20 to 50 white star-shaped flowers and measure between 12 and 15 cm in diameter. Its strap-like foliage is semi-evergreen and persists in mild-winter regions. If you like pairing blue with white, you can plant it in a pot next to its blue sister, Agapanthus ‘Pitchoune Blue’.

It thrives in full sun, sheltered from winds, in a rich, cool and well-drained growing medium, which helps compensate for its relatively low hardiness, down to -6°C. In a Mediterranean-type climate, it will require more frequent watering to continue flowering. In regions with cold winters, move it to frost-free shelter.

Agapanthus 'Blue Heaven', a brilliant blue.

Agapanthus ‘Blue Heaven’ offers a range of benefits. This recently bred hybrid variety produces globe-shaped blooms in a brilliant blue, ranging from lavender-blue to cobalt. They appear in July and again in September and October on stems sometimes tinged with purple. Each petal bears a darker central stripe, from ultramarine to indigo. The pale-blue stamens are highlighted by almost black terminal anthers. The ribbon-like foliage, dark green and substantial, is evergreen.

This plant grows to a height of 80 cm and is hardy to -9°C, which means it will need winter protection in colder climates. It should be planted in a large pot under the same conditions as its congeners: in full sun, sheltered from winds, and in a rich, cool, well-drained substrate. During its growing season, keep it well watered.

Agapanthus umbellatus, an intense lavender-blue.

If you love taller potted flowers, Agapanthus umbellatus could well appeal to you. It reaches a height of 1 metre and bears majestic umbels of 15 cm in diameter, with flowers in an intense, bright lavender-blue.

Appearing from July to September, the umbels consist of around thirty campanulate flowers. The semi-evergreen foliage forms a handsome clump of medium green, glossy leaves. Very striking, this Agapanthus catches the eye on a terrace or balcony.

This plant withstands temperatures down to -6°C and should be sheltered in the event of a cold winter. It is planted and grown like other Agapanthus, but requires a sandy, acidic substrate, prefers a shallow container, and flowers even more prolifically if given regular slow-release fertiliser.

Agapanthus 'Navy Blue', for lovers of navy blue.

Very popular, The agapanthus ‘Navy Blue’ stands out for its navy-blue flower heads that bloom in July and August. Floriferous and vigorous, it is of medium size and grows up to 60 cm tall. Its deciduous foliage is bright medium-green.

Moderately hardy, this agapanthus tolerates temperatures down to -9°C and should be overwintered in cold regions. Plant it in full sun, in a cool, rich, well-drained soil and ensure it does not dry out during its growing period.

Agapanthus 'Graphite Blue', hardy and a very bright blue.

The agapanthus ‘Graphite Blue’ unfurls its vivid blue flowering umbels from June to August. Each umbel measures 10–15 cm in diameter, and the umbels appear at the ends of stems themselves coloured in dark grey in a graphite-grey shade. Its dark-coloured flowering stems provide a striking contrast with the blue of the flowers and the light-green foliage. It grows to 90 cm in height at maturity and bears deciduous foliage. The petals reveal a central stripe of a deeper blue.

This hybrid plant has been selected for its floriferous character as well as its hardiness, which reaches -12 to -15°C. For pot culture, plant five plants in a 24 cm pot in a rich, cool and well-drained substrate. This plant is voracious and appreciates additions of compost or fertiliser. During its growing season, water it twice a week to encourage flowering. Then reduce watering, especially in winter.

Agapanthus 'Twister', with large two-colour umbels.

Among the agapanthus, some bring a touch of elegance and originality thanks to their bi-coloured flowers. agapanthus ‘Twister’ is one of them. It offers in July and August umbels of white bi-coloured flowers with a navy-blue base. In addition to being refined, the flower spheres are very large, as they reach 18 cm in diameter! So this agapanthus, if kept compact, can still make an impression. It grows up to 60 cm tall, is cloaked in grey-green deciduous foliage and proves hardy. You can use it to create lovely cut flower arrangements.

It thrives in full sun, in a rich, well-drained substrate that remains moderately moist. Plant it in a large container on your terrace or balcony. Hardy to −4°C; it should be protected from frost in regions with cold winters.

Further reading

Other agapanthus deserve to be grown in pots, just like the compact varieties ‘Peter Pan’, the two-tone varieties ‘Full Moon’ and ‘Queen Mum’, white as ‘Ever White’ or almost black such as ‘Back in Black’ or ‘Black Magic’.

In addition, discover:

• our tips for growing an agapanthus in a pot and our full guide on growing and caring for agapanthus.
• our complete range of agapanthus, as well as the agapanthus for pots and the dwarf agapanthus.
• a further selection of five agapanthus to grow in pots