Tall Flowers in Pots: 7 Powerful Tips for Instant, Stunning Privacy

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the blog and keeps the garden growing!

I’m not a “naptime gardener” or an Instagram influencer. I’m a dad. And everything I know about dirt, I learned from my Grandpop.

He lived in a house with my grandmom that had a breezeway connecting the house to the garage. That breezeway was a wind tunnel, but it was also where he helped Grandmom tend to her stunning flowers in pots. While the backyard was a working garden—packed with Tomato’s, corn, asperigus, pepers, onions, etc. and raspberry, blackberry, and blueberry bushes—that concrete breezeway (he poured himself) was where the magic happened. He didn’t use fancy gadgets or expensive systems. He used common sense, good soil, and patience.

I know you likely don’t have Grandpop’s two acres of land. You probably have a balcony, a toddler who thinks dirt is a snack, and about 20 minutes of free time between Zoom calls and mac-n-cheese. But you can still use his methods to grow tall flowers in pots.

In fact, growing tall plants in containers is the oldest trick in the book for creating a living privacy wall that hides the neighbor’s messy patio, blocks the street view, and gives you a lush “mom-ment” of peace.

🚧 Kid-Safe Container Gardening: Non-Toxic Tall Flowers

Grandpop never planted anything that would hurt the dog or the grandkids. Before you buy a single seed for your small balcony garden, check this list. Some of those trendy flowers you see on social media are actually dangerous if ingested.

🚫 The “Do Not Plant” List (Toxic)

Beautiful, but not worth the risk with little ones running around.

• Foxgloves (Digitalis): They look like fairy hats, but they can affect the heart. Keep them away.
• Delphiniums: Stunning blue spikes, but every part is poisonous if eaten.
• Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia): A hallucinogen. Beautiful, but dangerous.
• Oleander: Often used for privacy screens, but incredibly toxic.
• Resource: Always verify with the (https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants) before planting.

✅ The “Rough & Tumble” List (Safe)

These can take a hit from a soccer ball and won’t hurt the kids if they take a nibble.

• Sunflowers: The ultimate teaching tool. Edible seeds, huge growth, 100% safe.
• Zinnias: Tough as nails. The more you cut them for the kitchen table, the more they grow back.
• Cannas: Big, tropical leaves that make a great fort for kids to hide behind. Safe for pets.
• Snapdragons: Classic. Safe for dogs, and the kids love pinching the flowers to make them “talk.”

🌻 Best Tall Flowers for Pots: Top Picks for Privacy

Not sure which giant to grow? Here is the breakdown for the busy mom who wants maximum impact with minimum fuss. We recommend sourcing high-quality starter plants from to get a head start on the season—they ship healthy plants directly to your door so you don’t have to haul them in the car.

1. Canna Lilies (“The Tropical Wall”)

• Why Grandpop Loved Them: They are the closest thing to an instant fence. With massive, paddle-shaped leaves and bright torch-like flowers, they grow 4–6 feet tall in a single season.
• Privacy Power: 10/10. The foliage is dense and wide, blocking sightlines completely.
• Safety: ✅ Kid & Pet Safe. (Non-toxic).
• Where to Buy: You can often find tropical starter plants or bulbs at Perfect Plants or your local nursery.
• Pot Tip: These are thirsty giants. Use a large resin pot (15″+) from ((https://www.walmart.com)) to keep them hydrated.

2. Sunflowers (“The Vertical Sprint”)

• Why Grandpop Loved Them: Nothing grows faster. You can almost watch them get taller every day. Varieties like ProCut Orange are pollen-free, so they won’t dump yellow dust on your patio furniture.
• Privacy Power: 8/10. Great for height (6–8 feet), but they have skinny stalks, so plant them in clusters for a true screen.
• Safety: ✅ Kid & Pet Safe. (Edible!).
• Soil Secret: Because they grow so fast, they need nutrient-dense soil. I use Rosy Soil to give them the boost they need without chemical fertilizers.

3. Dahlias (The “Dinnerplate” Varieties)

• Why Grandpop Loved Them: They are the show-offs. One tuber produces a bushy, 4–5 foot plant covered in blooms the size of your head. They bloom late (August–October) when other plants are quitting.
• Privacy Power: 9/10. Very bushy and dense; great for seated privacy on a deck.
• Safety: ✅ Kid & Pet Safe.
• Expert Tip: You must stake them early, or a heavy wind will snap them.

4. Sweet Peas (“The Climbing Perfume”)

• Why Grandpop Loved Them: They bring the scent of an old-fashioned cottage garden to a boring balcony.
• Privacy Power: 7/10. They need a trellis or netting to climb. Once they fill in, they create a beautiful, scented veil.
• Safety: ⚠️ Toxic Seeds. Keep the seed pods away from toddlers and pets.
• Growing Tip: They hate hot roots. Plant low-growing flowers (like alyssum) at their base to shade the soil.

5. Benary’s Giant Zinnias (“The Indestructible Hedge”)

• Gear: You’ll need sharp snips to harvest blooms constantly (the more you cut, the more they bloom). Grab a pair at Walmart.
• Why Grandpop Loved Them: They are tough as nails. Heat, humidity, or missed waterings won’t stop them. The “Benary’s Giant” variety reaches 3–4 feet tall.
• Privacy Power: 6/10. Good for “seated privacy” (blocking the view when you are sitting in a chair).
• Safety: ✅ Kid & Pet Safe.

Pro Tip: You can find incredible varieties of Canna Lilies and shrubs at . Their selection of “privacy plants” is excellent for patios because they arrive established and ready to grow.

🧪 The “Secret Sauce”: Soil & Water

Grandpop used to make his own compost at the very back of the backyard, but you don’t have room for that. However, you cannot use dirt from the ground in a pot. It turns to concrete and suffocates the roots.

The “Busy Mom” Hack: Biochar

To keep your tall flowers alive when you forget to water (because life happens), use a soil mix with Biochar. It acts like a tiny carbon sponge, holding onto water and nutrients and releasing them when the plant is thirsty.

• We Recommend: (Rosy Soil). It is an Earth-positive potting mix that captures carbon. It’s packed with nutrients and biochar, so you don’t have to fertilize as often, and it holds moisture incredibly well. It’s the closest thing to Grandpop’s magic compost in a bag, delivered right to you.
• Why it works: It keeps the soil fluffy and airy, preventing “root rot” (the #1 killer of potted plants).

Learn More: Check out our guide if you want to DIY your soil blend.

🏗️ Stability Hacks: Stop the “Tip-Over”

A 6-foot sunflower in a plastic pot acts like a sail in the wind. Physics is the enemy here. Here is how we fix it using the “Grandpop Method.”

1. The “Pot-in-Pot” Anchor

Don’t waste money on expensive heavy planters for every single plant.

• Step 1: Buy a cheap plastic nursery pot for the actual plant.
• Step 2: Get one heavy glazed ceramic or concrete planter. (Check out Walmart for affordable “Better Homes & Gardens” heavy-duty resin options that look like stone but cost less).
• Step 3: Put bricks or gravel in the bottom of that heavy one.
• Step 4: Drop the plastic pot inside. Low center of gravity = no tipping.

2. The “Hidden Spine” Technique

Expert gardeners stake their plants before they need it. Drive a rebar or heavy bamboo stake all the way to the bottom of the pot before you put the soil in. The wet soil holds the stake rigid from the inside out.

3. Square over Round

Square pots are harder to tip over. Simple physics. If you are really tight on room, check out these that maximize productivity without tipping.

🛑 5 Mistakes That Kill Tall Container Plants

1. Using “Dirt” from the Ground: As mentioned, this stops drainage. Use a fluffy mix like (Rosy Soil) instead.
2. The “Teacup” Error: Planting a giant sunflower in a tiny pot. Tall plants need heavy counter-weights (roots) to stay upright. Use at least a 5-gallon container.
3. Forgetting to Feed: Pots are like cages; the plant can’t reach out for food. You must bring the food to them.
4. Ignoring Wind: A balcony is a wind tunnel. If you don’t stake early, you will find snapped stems.
5. Over-loving (Watering): Most moms drown their plants. Lift the pot; if it’s heavy, don’t water.

Need Shade Options? If your patio doesn’t get sun, tall flowers might struggle. Check out our list of 25 for darker corners.

📝 The “Busy Mom” Weekend Checklist

Get it done during naptime.

• Scout Locations: Find the spot on your balcony that gets 6+ hours of sun.
• Buy 2 Heavy Pots: Look for 15″ wide or larger. (Walmart has great deals on large planters in their garden center).
• Get the Right Soil: Don’t guess. Order a bag of Rosy Soil delivered to your door so you have it ready.
• Buy Your Plants: Order kid-safe giants from Perfect Plants or Walmart.
• Get Snips: You’ll need sharp scissors to harvest flowers. Gardening tools for pots here.
• Watering Plan: Set a phone alarm for “Thirsty Thursday” to check deep moisture. (Everyday in the hat summer)

❓ FAQ: Vertical Container Gardening

Q: What is the best tall flower for a privacy screen in a pot? 
A: Canna Lilies and Sunflowers are top choices. They grow fast, have dense foliage, and thrive in containers, creating a natural “green wall.”

Q: How do I keep my tall potted plants from falling over? 
A: Use the “Pot-in-Pot” method described above: place your planting pot inside a heavy ceramic planter weighted down with bricks.

Q: Are sunflowers safe for dogs and cats? 
A: Yes! Sunflowers are non-toxic to both dogs and cats, making them a perfect choice for family balconies.

Q: Can I grow sweet peas in a container? 
A: Absolutely. Choose a deep pot (at least 12 inches) to accommodate their long roots and provide a trellis for them to climb. Check the () for more detailed sweet pea care.

Q: How often do I water tall flowers in pots? 
A: In the summer heat, check them daily. Tall plants drink a lot. The “lift test” is best—if the pot feels light, water it until it drains out the bottom.

Conclusion: Your Patio, Your Sanctuary

You don’t need two acres and a Concord grape vine to be a gardener. You just need a pot, good soil, and a little bit of patience. By following the “Grandpop Method,” you can turn that small balcony into a towering wall of color that keeps the kids safe and the neighbors guessing.

Ready to dig deeper? Check out our Blog for the full breakdown on soil, seeds, and seasons.