Shade or Partial Shade

• Not all windows are located to receive the ideal light for the plants you may want to have in your window box. It is important be aware of how much sun, if any, your window boxes will get during the day and to pick plants that will do best in those conditions.
  
  There are many attractive plants that do well in shade and partial shade. Impatiens and begonias thrive in shade and are available in a range of bright colors. Coleus are grown for their colorful foliage and prefer low light. They come in a huge assortment of varieties. Pansies or petunias are versatile and can grow in shade or sun.
  
  

Full Sun

• If you are lucky to have windows that are in sun for the majority of the day, you have almost an unlimited number of plants to chose from. Before you get started, though, when you are selecting the window box for sunny locations, make sure it is a tall or deep box so the soil does not dry out so quickly.
  
  Many times it will be easier to select the plants for your window box if you have a theme in mind. It could be about color, either matching or accenting your house or garden; fragrance; cultural, such as Asian or Mexican; tropical; or cooking, as herb window gardens are wonderful for texture, scent and usefulness. You might even plant mini or baby vegetables such as carrots, beets, lettuce or hot peppers.
  
  If you want something different that's low maintenance, consider cactus in your planter. An amazing assortment of cacti are available; some flower while others will cascade over and down from the box.
  
  

Bulbs and Seeds

• You could use bulbs for your window box or sow seeds. Assorted wildflower seed packets are available for every kind of light situation. When you use bulbs or seeds you can extend and can change your window box display. Plant bulbs that mature at varying times, or plant seeds at different intervals. This way you will have blossoms from spring to fall, and bulbs will come back year after year.