What's the easiest flower to pot and keep alive?

I want to pot some flowers for my front porch. Unfortunatly I did not inharite the green thumb from my father. My first attempt at this failed myserioubly. So, I need some help and advice. Something simple, yet pretty and colorful. Step by step instructions would be great but please don't feel obligated. I talked to the garden people at Lowe's when I made my first attempt and obviously what they told me didn't work out. So please, HELP!!!!!!!!

What's the easiest flower to pot and keep alive?
This is what I used in my barrel and several other pots last year as I got accustomed to my recent climate change. Very simple, looks great, easy care.


you will need potting soil(obviously), a small to medium bag of Miracle Grow should work well.


A 6-12 inch pot(s) depending on how much you want to do


Geraniums as a pp noted are easy to care for, and splendid for potted arrangments. Lets say, pick three color of your choice.


Asparagus fern(it looks like a fern, buy a six pack or two of this.....)Spike plants(not sure what the real name is but ask any nursery attendant and they can help)(buy in odd numbers, one for a 6-8 in pot, three for bigger pots)


Water everything well about an hour before you plan on planting. Plant the spike plant(s) in the center, then the geraniums and the asparagus fern alternating around that. Try to keep at least two inches away from the edge of the pot as the soil dries out faster there. Pat dirt into the areas around the plants that need it, and then a little more for good measure as the dirt level will sink when you water it the first few times. If you need to, you can always add more dirt later but don't over do it. You would like to keep the dirt an inch or more below the top. Done! Now water well. Depending on how hot it gets where you are, and weather or not its protected from the rain, you may have to water every other day, or once a week. As the pp said, poke a finger in there, and if the top few inches are getting really dry water it. Other obvious signs are wilting, or browning up of the plants. Dont over water, the leavs turn yellow and drop, or you end up rotting the stems of the plants and they die that way. All in all its a pretty, easy arrangment. You can legthen the time the geraniums will bloom by dead heading, or pulling off the dead flowers. Alternatives for the flowers would be petunias, both traditional and the newer trailing kinds. Petunias can be a little more finicky but there are many more colors to choose from. Be creative. Ive been gardening for 12 years, here in AZ and in Minnesota. don't be hard on yourself. Best of luck I hope this helps!!!
Reply:It was nice to see a bunch of good answers. I think everyone who contributed added something, although the best answer was chosen by the asker was definitely the best answer. Nice job Heather. Report It

Reply:This is an excellent answer. I have grown potted outdoor plants and have had success with the kinds of plants Heather mentioned. Report It

Reply:In stead of picking a plant that is easiest, you should maybe think about what's not going right from your end.





Water is usually what makes the diffence. Some people who consider themselves "black thumbs" either overwater or underwater.





You can get a little moisture meter from Lowes for about $8 and that will tell you if you should water or not. Check your planters at least once a week, and twice a week once it gets hot.





Also, make sure that the planters have drainage. Are you using those rectangular plastic planters from Lowes? The ones that are about 3 feet long and 8 inches wide? If so, they usually have a hole that has a plug in it. Pull the plug out so it can drain. If it does not have an open hole, get something to poke some holes in it.





Without knowing more information (how much sun you get, how much you water, what climate you live in, etc.), it is hard to make a specific suggestion. However, given you past difficulties, I would suggest an annual. They are relatively inexpensive and tend to be tougher during their year of life.





Again, without knowing more, I would suggest Marigolds. They are colorful, readily available, inexpensive and tough. If your porch faces north, they may not be the best because they need sun, but if it faces south, east, or west, that would be my best guess.





If you're not into reds, organges and yellows, Petunias also tend to be tougher than you'd guess.





If you really bake in the sun, there is something called rose moss or moss rose that will do well in the baking sun.





Good luck.
Reply:I don't know your area, but what works for me in the hot Houston area is kalanchoes. This is a succulent, so it doesn't need much water, and it prefers indirect sun. I know this because when I was younger, like you, trying to make plants grow, I had one of these. It looked so bad at first that I scooted it to the back of the pots in the yard, and it got pushed farther and farther into the shade. I gave up on it and forgot about it. I watered the opther plants in front and it probably got sprinkled a little once a week or so. One day I spied a pretty pink bloom. It was my kalanchoe, and it was rich green with fluffy petals and lots of blooms. I gave it a plant spike and it did ok in the shade from then on. I almost killed it with kindness, but left to its own devices, it did better than the other plants!
Reply:I think Callie Lilly's are very easy to keep alive, they can get real wilted from no water but when you water they come back to life. You don't have to have in full sun, and I used a soil-less type soil in my pots with Water Keep added to the soil. I have even had some that just were put in the Water Keep and one in vase with fish that lived for years or as long as the fish then when fish died planted the Lilly. All other items found at Wal Mart.
Reply:What zone do you live in? That would help. Also, is your porch in the sun or shade most of the day? What types of pots are you planning to use? Clay or plastic or something else? Answer these and I can help you out!
Reply:Geraniums are a great plant for you. They come in red, pink and white. They tolerate cold weather and do splendidly all the way through the growing season until a freeze kills them off.





They also revive well If they dry out. Plant about 3-4 in a 16" pot in a circular manner and water well the first time. Make sure the pot has drainage holes in the bottom so excess water can come out.





You can plant all one color in each pot if you like.





To determine if the plants are dry I always stick my finger into the soil about 2-3 inches. If it comes out with no soil attached its time to break out the watering can.